Job Discussion Forums

mistral · Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Herat Afghanistan

Never get on the plane before you've had the chance to have a close look at your contract!! Some teachers have regretted it. It can be different to the attractive job offer you accepted. If you get there and don't like the job or they don't like you, you might have to pay your own flight home.

mistral · Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Herat Afghanistan

44 hours! That could be a 6 day week! And no paid overtime! Take a look at trapezius' cartoon. That's how many new teachers end up. The job may well be ok but take any advice brasscat gives you. He's obviously been around for a while and knows what he's talking about.

brasscat · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject: Contract Advice

I did read in detail Griff's contract. There are things I would like to pass on to others who are looking at their contracts.

1. In the Saudi labor world, only what is written is official. Do not trust recruiter promises.

2. The contract is being offered by the Saudi Military. Beware of these contracts, they tend to be conservative in both pay and benefits.

3. Overtime pay is a part of any good contract. When it begins and at what rate should be specified.

4. Always be aware of Saudi Labor Law when it comes to work total hours. 44 hours is excessive.

5. 45 day vacation is conservative. Typical military, given that is what they follow.

6. Housing and associated benefits are very important to any contract. Living on a military base is no gift.

7. The better Saudi contracts always include a monthly travel allowance. It is necessary to get around without killing your wallet.

8. Your contract in hand must be the same as the final contract you sign in Saudi. If not, beware of the bait and swtch.
brasscat

johnslat · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject:

Dear brasscat,

Great points - this should probably be a "sticky."

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Put not your faith in pieces of paper. Better to get information from someone reliable who is already there.

Griff-James · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

Thank you all for your advice.

The recruiter is now ringing me and sending me emails to sign.

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

After more than 10 years in KSA and I have to say that I totally agree with Scot on this one.

It is so true-things are hardly ever as they seem out here.

Some jobs look great and turn out to be disasters.

Others look dodgy but are great etc.

Others are great for one and terrible for another-sorry that's not very encouraging is it? On of the better Uni's out here completely screwed up some of the teachers due to the contract departments laziness- no summer salary for them- whilst all the others are doing great!

try your best to get hold of someone there. People on here have always got a lot more beneficial info from this forum when they have come on and said" I'm considering an offer by XXXX-what do you reckon etc' as opposed to hiding the name. That's why you get so many contradictory views. The contract system at XXX may sound dodgy but someone from there can tell you relax I just started here and its great.....and the opposite is often true.

Try direct posts about the place.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

He did, but does not want to believe us.