Job Discussion Forums

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

Heard some disturbing news about the institute as i wanted to apply for work. Not the place everyone wants to work for any more. Pity.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

A bit more specificity might be more useful than vague allegations.

There is no place that everyone wants to work for...

VS

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

Yes, please can you tell us what the disturbing news is?

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

I believe the director may have lost his job, holidays reduced and educational allowances cut as well. I don't think the salaries have been affected though.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Can anyone confirm the reduced holidays and educational allowances - from what to what? Or is this just one of the usual grapevine rumors?

VS

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

When I was there 2002-2004 the summer vacation was not impressive--7 weeks, if memory serves. Seems most decent places in the Gulf offer 8 weeks to two full months these days. If the PI has reduced from 7, that's not a good omen.

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

I've heard nothing about the director losing his job - he's still here at the moment, put it that way.
Faculty holidays have been cut to 30 days per year.
Educational allowances are unaffected as far as I know.
Salaries are still about the best in the region IMO.

crocus · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 79

Sounds like the nasty things happening with holidays are beginning to spread. First, University of Sharjah, now PI. Rolling Eyes

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Can you tell us what the salaries are these days for new faculty, Veralynn?

VS

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

Not really to be honest. I would guess about 22k.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

If true, it is the highest I've heard of lately. People will have to make the choice as to which is more important to them... the cash or long holidays... Laughing

They also used to give the largest furniture allowance.

VS

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject:

T'aint that high anymore, VS.

NCTBA

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

Yes it seems it was a bit of a pay-off. Most faculty got large payrises last year (maybe about 15%) but at the same time reduced holiday. But semesters are usually about 16 weeks long, so it's not like it's 46 weeks a year of actual teaching.

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

Another point in favour of the PI (just to let you know, I've no particular reason to big it up) is that workload figures just out for this semester show average contact hours for English Foundation faculty are only 8 per week, which is mighty fine compared to HCT and the like....

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

Vera Lynn
Do you know if the shorter hours per week are going to stay until the new year or are the lecturers working less for a particular reason? I know that teachers used to do about 20 hours a week if they were not getting time off for good behavior. I heard but I was wrong last time that the Pi have fewer students so teachers have more time for other duties.