Job Discussion Forums

[floydrules]

Dear All,

I'm a newbie and this happens to be my first post @ eslcafe.

After reading details about Saudi Interlink at - http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=79372 I�m now in two minds and not sure what to do?

Some advise from the experts here would be highly appreciated.
At present I'm in the kingdom in the eastern province and working with a government university. I've been offered a job at Saudi Interlink and I've to admit that the offer is very lucrative. I'd end up in getting paid double then what I do at present along with housing, etc (my present employer only provided a housing allowance). But reading the thread highlighted above I�m not so sure, what to do?. Can someone please help me?

Thanks,
Floydrules

[veiledsentiments]

Not sure how we can help you make the decision. You have read the negatives about the situation there. How high is your tolerance level? Only you can decide whether those negatives are worth the jump in pay.

VS

[floydrules]

Thanks VS

Well the latest I have heard about them was they are on a re-structuring mode. To be honest, I'm tolerating a lot of things in my present company as well. Everything in my present company is in a mess, there's no proper system, students have the freedom to decide what needs to be done and how. Teachers are forced to do a lot of work apart from teaching and office hours. So if the condition is a lil better there, I guess it�s worth the risk? What do you guys think?

Cheers,
Floydrules

[Citizenkane]

If you've already read the threads on Interlink then you'll know the general background. A few points to update things:

1) There are a lot of rumours that Interlink will not keep its contract with Al Yamamah beyond the next year. The new president of the college is seemingly intent on cleaning up shop and it seems Interlink may be the first casualty. How - if at all - this affects teachers remains to be seen.

2) The college is constructing staff housing on campus. They claim it will be ready by December of this year, which might be an exaggeration, but not much of a one as by all accounts the housing is going up very quickly. So the generous perk of DQ housing may soon be a thing of the past.

All in all, if you can put up with instability and a paranoid work environment, Interlink should be OD for a year or so. Certainly doesn't seem that it would be worse than where you are now, particularly if you will get paid twice as much at Interlink, as you say. The holiday allowance there isn't great - only 45 days in the summer - and there are also rumors that mid-year and Eid breaks may be cut. But all in all, if you can keep your head down and steer clear of all the office politics, it might be OK for you.

[floydrules]

Thanks citizenkane, that helps -

I do have heard such rumors, but if SILC is offering a 2 years contract and (I'm not very sure, but) as per law if the employer is breaking the bond then they will have to reimburse for it? Or can they get away leaving the teachers stranded? Also, another reason for moving to Riyadh is, for my spouse to find a suitable job for himself. And Riyadh certainly seems to be a place where you have more companies looking out for people compared to Eastern Province (esp the part in which I'm in at present).

Can you tell me what happens in such circumstances if the employer doesn't abide by the contract?

Thanks again to all for their inputs.

Floydrules

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

My "expert advise" would be to change the thread title to include the word "advice"... It's a common mistake...see "Pet Peeves" on the General Discussion board...I'm sure that it is listed.

NCTBA

[floydrules]

Done

But I'm still not sure what to do. Firstly, there are problems at my present place as well and indeed they also have a high attrition rate. Other things are also same, office politics, etc.
The only thing is being a government univ it will not leave the teachers stranded unlike SILC, I read on other threads that they fire the teachers irrespective of the contract and its duration. And so far no one seems to have written anything about fighting back.

[veiledsentiments]

Well... let's see. Even if Al-Y decides to terminate their contract with Interlink, one would think they would still need teachers. Logic (not always useful in the Gulf) would suggest that they would want to keep the teachers that they have rather than go to the expense of bringing in new ones.

Do you have children? If it is just you and your husband, it seems to me from what you have said that the benefits would outweigh the risks/conditions. Any employer *can* fire you at will... including the government employers. But from what I have seen at Al-Y, they are more liable to "not renew" contracts rather than fire indiscriminately. (assuming you don't do something really dumb)

Flip a coin?

VS

[scot47]

Unusual for government institutions to fire teachers. What usually happens is that the contract is not renewed.

[floydrules]

Scot, VS Thanks

I guess VS does have a point. Yes at present I don't have kids!

Flipping the coin, well let's wait for another couple of responses here to see what others have to say.

Thank you guys, it really helps!

cheers/floydrules

[Citizenkane]

[floydrules]

Hi Citizenkane,

Yeah right, I honestly didn't think about it. But yes let me get that all in writing but then again as you said, if the things are only on paper then what's the point. They might give it on paper but may not honour at the time of execution.
Will keep you guys posted, Thanks again to all!

Floydrules!