Job Discussion Forums

[Evan2009]

I was made an offer by a uni and am trying to get HR to clarify some points. They are taking quite a bit of time to answer. How should I handle this? Of course I want to be diplomatic but some answer would be appreciated. Is this normal?

[scot47]

Expect no answers. Getting an answer would be VERY unusual.

[Pikgitina]

Try getting in touch with the person who interviewed you and ask if you could contact a teacher who's already on the ground. A teacher would be your best source.

If they don't want you to speak to teachers already on the ground, they most definitely won't reply to that either.

[Evan2009]

If HR won't reply to questions about the contract, will they answer visa questions? So far no instructions re the visa process and I am wondering what is going on. Am I just supposed to wait indefinitely?

A member of this board sent me a private note but eslcafe won't let me reply as I don't have enough posts to allow that.

[rigel]

I, too, have been waiting a while, about a month, actually, for a contract. I assume what is going is we've gotten contacted by schools that have teachers leaving without renewing or leaving contracts early. And in SA, one must give several months' notice if he's leaving, or at least in theory this is true. We're merely waiting through notice periods, I'd bet.

After I get the contract, I'll demand changes. I'll then have to wait even longer for answers. If they don't want to make those changes, I will have waited for nothing, for I won't compromise and go to a place where they keep your passport on a questionable contract. It'll be what I want or I won't be going. Nice and simple.

[veiledsentiments]

Rigel... have you worked in Saudi before? You are assuming that if they 'change the contract' they will abide by it... that may not be the case. The problem with bad employers is that they happily ignore those pesky 'contracts.' Holding the passport is pretty standard in Saudi. You should probably find out the name of the few employers that don't and apply to them.

VS

[eclectic]

Just because rigel has not worked in Saudi before does not mean..... oh, the smug pomp! "find out the name of the employers that don't"?? What kind of advice is that?

Rigel, you are right, keep it nice and simple. It doesn't matter WHERE this would happen to you or anyone else, it could happen anywhere. Any school could backtrack on a contract, whether it is brand new or a re-negotiated one. Saudi has nothing to do with this phenomenon. This could happen at a Korean hakwon or a Brazilian scola.

If the contract isn't what you need, or you sense some kind of questionable behavior when you are negotiating it, just forget it and move on, as you rightly mentioned.

I'm in the same situation right now.

[scot47]

Rigel
You can negotiate as much as you like. The reality on the ground is often different from the contractual obligation. Let me suggest that you choose your employer carefully.

[veiledsentiments]

Gee... Scot47 agrees with me...

VS

[scot47]

And remember that when you go to saudi you are the hired help. Don't be cheeky to your masters and only speak when you are spoken to.

[rigel]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It's all helpful. The biggest problem I see in SA is the fact so many teachers are willing to accept a shitty contract. If you put your foot down collectively, this BS will stop. Damn, some of these places want two months' salary if you quit the contract early. They also want three months' notice. I've also read a couple of posts here that claim "what they tell you and what is on the contract will be different". Not on any contract I sign. They're gonna be honest or I'll give 'em the middle finger salute. Next country.


No contract I'll accept will have such provisions. Signing something like that is simply idiotic. Paying perhaps two weeks salary (but only if you're getting airfare paid) and giving one months' notice is reasonable. If I don't get airfare paid, I won't pay a dime if I leave early.

Do the Saudis have their own version of KY Jelly? If you're a teacher going there for the first time, better take a tube, just in case.

[rigel]

[eclectic]

damn Rigel I hear you. maybe it is being painted more darkly than the reality. I dont know what to think either. Im not getting any answers either re: bogus salary figures that change once you arrive.

how could one end up broke if one makes atleast $2,700 US per month with a paid apartment? this math doesnt seem to add up.

Maybe someone could shine the light, light a match, or just fart the answers out, depending on the number of ounces of prune juice they have chugged during the nightly gastrointestinal Wiccan ritual.

........... ........... ..............

[rigel]

[veiledsentiments]

The reason this situation exists is because there are always plenty of wandering TEFLers who need the job, or are blinded by the stories of the big money, or don't check boards like this.

And there are people who take these jobs... and are laid-back enough that they are able to ignore the bullcrap that goes on and laugh all the way to the bank. The key is to know yourself.

For those who don't have the bits of paper that are required by the better employers (who follow contracts and pay on time, etc), this is the only market. I know quite a few teachers who used places like these to get the money to pay for the CELTA and/or MA to get up the ladder.

But... they are better men than I am... (ignoring for the moment that I am a woman)

VS
(Not to mention that there are plenty of bad employers in other countries who use and abuse EFL teachers...)