Job Discussion Forums

[Evan2009]

I read a lot here about employers making promises that do not get fulfilled, saying "what they think you want to hear", ignoring emails, even making job offers that never materialize. Is this sort of behaviour sanctioned by Saudi Arabia's own standards? It sounds as though there is little respect for the individual. Am I right?

[12 Monkeys]

What ever is promised and that does actually materialize is seen as a miracle from GOD around here.

Cornelius

[mistral]

[Chthon]

There is no professionalism in Saudi Arabia. Keep in mind, while the people are roughly of the same origins as those in Kuwait, Qatar, etc., they have progressed in a vastly different manner.

Saudi Arabia is a third world country. There are some areas in Khobar and Riyadh that are nice from what I have seen, but by and large this place is not that far off from North Africa. Most of the people here are not wealthy oil sheikhs.

Consequently, the infrastructure is not very mature and neither is the work culture here. Ideas like equality and social justice do not exist. While you will be required to show up to work on time, your Saudi colleagues (usually less educated but in higher positions than you) will often roll in hours late to work if at all and do little. The more work they have, the slower the will proceed and the more breaks they will take regardless of what sort of work load they dump on others. I (as well as others I am sure) could go on.

I'm not discouraging people from coming here. I enjoy my job and plan to work here for the long term, as do many other North Americans and Europeans here. But if you're looking for professionalism and serious career development, then you're looking in the wrong place. Most of us are here, I believe, for other reasons.

[Asda]

Professional ethical conduct...?

Hmmmm, let's see:

1) Shut up
2) Do as you're told
3) Work hard to get exploited, not rewarded
4) Be nice to ALL Saudis, maybe not as nice to the religious ones
5) Know your place

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Now, now all...if you keep this up, new posters might not think that this is not a great money-earning paradise after all. Plus, all new-comers know that yer just posting these vile remarks to disuade people from going there.

NCTBA

[Asda]

That's for non-Saudi's of course!

For Saudis:

1) Your headgear MUST be ironed at ALL times
2) You may shout at a few non-Saudis in front of EVERYONE
3) You must procrastinate at least 60% of your tasks (bokra insha Allah)
4) You must smoke in your office
5) You may cruise in and out as you darn well please...

...anymore for anymore? NCTBA?!

Actually, while I do not have the best package in the world (quite budget, in fact), thanks God (sic) I have very little of the above where I work. In fact, there is often nice and friendly banter between all nationalities. Makes me feel like breaking out into a song. Come on y'all, sing with me:

#I'd like to build the world a home#
#And furnish it with love...#

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Hello?

NCTBA

[johnslat]

Dear NCTBA,

Hello, hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello
Hello, hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello


To answer the OP's question (I know - being on topic is so weird for me)

"What are Saudi concepts of ethical professional conduct?"

I'd say, it depends on the Saudis you encounter. Kind of like, say, everywhere else in the world.

Forgive me for indulging in such a vapid generalization.

Regards,
John

[tillymd]

Hello. Hello Hello. Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me, is there anyone at home?

[Mojoski]

[12 Monkeys]

Who said anything about trying to scare people out of coming here.

[trapezius]

[tillymd]

12 Monkeys,

Don't hold back, tell us what you really think

[Linguist]