Job Discussion Forums

lovehappens · Joined: 16 Dec 2008 Posts: 53 Location: Oregon

(disclaimer)
I've heard you say don't take jobs through recruiters but unless you have a job to offer me not through a recruiter, the job I have been offered for the end of this school year is through a recruiter and MOM.

My goal is to work in Oman for the 3rd semester this year to get my feet wet in country. I plan to apply for a more permanent job in the fall at a different school in Oman.

My question is does the 3 month contract work both ways?
My concern is because they have 2 yr contract on the bottom of the offer page will I be incriminating myself and damage my employment status in Oman if I opt out in July to not return to this particular school?

If there is any other job situation not through a recruiter that is open I'd love to hear about it. thanks

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

In my opinion, it is not right to enter a contract with the intent of using the 3 month probationary period to get your feet wet.

Would you respect an employer who hired you to work for her or him because someone was on 3 months' leave, and then let you go at the end of the probationary period?

I didn't think so. You would probably scream bloody hell. This is the sort of thing that makes things hard on the rest of us expats.

lovehappens · Joined: 16 Dec 2008 Posts: 53 Location: Oregon

Well they are getting a very good deal if I accept and they NEED someone to jump in and fill a spot that someone has abandoned.
One could look at this from many perspectives. This is a MOM job and from all the teachers who have been working through them I understand the drop out rate is substantial. Maybe when they change their policies teachers won't be going into a job with such hesitancy.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I agree with Desultude. What you are thinking of is dishonest and underhand. Unacceptable behaviour.

eslbear · Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Posts: 93

The drop out rate is not substantial and the most common reasons are related to the remote locations and quality of life versus expectations which wear people down.

Your rationalization of the feet wetting is bogus - not to mention that you would be possibly burning your bridges with the very ministry that is in control of your visa status in Oman - good plan !

eslbear

boundforsaudi · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 243

They wouldn't hesitate to do that sort of thing to you, but if you did it to them they would probably blacklist you. The game is rigged in their favor.

Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

boundforsaudi · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 243

An option is an option. There is nothing unethical about exercising it, or even beginning the contract with the premeditated intention of doing so. You may change your mind.

But none of that matters, because you are playing with a stacked deck. What matters with employment contracts in the Middle East is that if the employer feels the least bit put out he will just tell immigration to blacklist you, and your goose is cooked. You won't be let back in the country for years, if ever. There may even be a GCC blacklist. Immigration won't tell you who blacklisted you or why, and there is no appeal.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

There should be an escape clause, but working for only three months probably won't fulfill it. You should be able to leave before the end of the two-year contract just by giving whatever notice is specified--quite possibly forfeiting completion bonuses, return flights, etc.

d

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

In Oman, if you give the notice stated in the contract, by Omani labor law, you are due your return ticket, all salary, and even a pro-rated gratuity and vacation pay.

Not leaving in the first three months, of course. This refers to someone who may have to resign in the middle of a two year contract, which is the norm at the better employers. (those that don't use recruiters)

VS

lovehappens · Joined: 16 Dec 2008 Posts: 53 Location: Oregon

They are reasonable after all. I spoke to the recruiter about my options and he said I could get a transfer - need to give a 3 month notice at the beginning of the semester. I already told them my intentions and it sounds like we will be doing each other a service IF I take the job.

VS you are right on with what you said.

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

I suspect that he means get a transfer within the colleges he recruits for... he may not be so cooperative if you are leaving his group. Recruiters say many things that turn out to be not exactly accurate or helpful to us teachers. Just a little warning... Laughing

VS

runninggirl · Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 50 Location: Latin America

I was not clear enough in my beginning by saying "getting my feet wet." My goal is to transfer to another college within Oman after the summer, not leave the country, the recruiters or stick anyone. I often am on this forum way past my bedtime with the intent to have gone to bed 45 minutes ago and not editing myself. I shaint be writing so late but here I am doing it again.

I was totally upfront with the recruiter and it is going to be just fine as long as I give notice within the required time. They recruiters are those who are railed against on the forum so it was a bit surprising that some felt this immense loyalty to them.
Re reading my opening paragraph I do see that it was misleading and some may have thought I was bailing after a few months. That was not my intention.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

still you should be aware if you decide to exercise this "option" and the recruiter/employer doesn't want you to - your option isn't worth the paper it's written on - even if it were written. Things might work out for you, but it doesn't happen often in my experience.