Job Discussion Forums

alien-resurrection · Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Posts: 16 Location: UAE

It wouldn't surprise me if those 23 so-called UGRU "volunteers" for tranfer to HCT Fujeirah, in September actually evaporated. In other words, I strongly suspect that those teachers who were bullied and coerced by their unscruppleless managers and their co-ordinators, in accepting a transfer to HCT Fujeirah "or else", come September, will in the end, either refuse to go, resign on the spot or are now busy looking for another employer over the summer break.
If this is true, then those whose names aren't on the list of "willing" transferees, may find, upon their return in September, that they have been selected for a forced transfer to Fujeirah.
All in all, not a good situation for any of us upon our return to work. Even though I haven't been "selected" yet, there is no guarantee that I or anyone else, won't be told come September, to pack your things and go.

Is this any way to run a reputable organisation when the teaching staff are treated like cattle?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Are you in the EFL program too? I wouldn't be surprised either if some who felt coerced or forced to move might be doing exactly what you say. However, if I read your message and I was a chair at Fujairah I would be very much concerned about the capabilities of these staff in being able to teach English. I know that posting on Dave's is not a test, but really? Confused

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 6:48 pm Post subject:

Chattel was also misspelled as "cattle" as well all know but we're nothing more here than a commodity to be bought or sold...

NCTBA

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

celticbutterfly · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 41

Problem with 'evaporating' is that some of those UGRU'ers will lose a sizeable gratuity, so they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They will have to work out their 6 months notice at HCT if they want that gratuity.
Again, it will not make a happy working environment and I'm glad I'm not the manager at Fujierah come September.

Neutrino Girl · Joined: 01 Apr 2010 Posts: 128

secretsquirrel · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 8:46 am Post subject:

If they have no kids to fit into non-existent schools, Fuzairah should be OK. It was the singles and childless couples that were 'released', was it not?

But if those guys have children to consider, it's a mighty bad deal. Come to think of it, Fujairah is a pretty crummy deal anyway, so "let's not go there", uh?!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

HCT housing for singles and childless couples is usually pretty good, although I understand there were some bumps in the last 18 mos (some were in flats in a bldg with working girls - the HCT'rs were promptly moved out - whether to protect the HCT staff or the girls, I don't know Wink

).

As for Fujairah itself, it's a small town with limited social outlets, but it's only 1.5 hrs to Dubai and there's a new bus system that coordinates with the Dubai metro that is certainly economical and well maintained.

You don't have the traffic congestion found in larger cities but definitely the pace of life is quite slow and if you can't "make your own fun" you're probably going to be bored unless you go to Dubai every weekend

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

According to the early posts on the transfers, none of the transferred teachers have children. As helen1 says, tempers will settle over the summer, and those with large gratuities would be foolish not to show up and at least comply with their contracts in order to get that money. Fujairah is certainly not the most exciting of UAE cities, but Fujairah branches of HCT have a decent reputation. People are NOT being transferred to a snakepit in the ghetto.

I would expect that most of teachers are mature professionals who will let their common sense take over from their hurt feelings and carry on... I also expect the TESOLArabia job center will be very busy this year. Cool

VS

merry_prankster · Joined: 25 Mar 2010 Posts: 27

TESOLArabia is bound to be hectic this year. If the UAEU Provost's scheme actually goes through then there is the distinct possibility that 60-70 people from UGRU might be looking for jobs (that is unless they are told to go to various HCT campuses). In addition, there will also be those from some of the crazier HCT campuses that are inevitably trying to escape.

All in all, probably a good time to be an employer at this year's event as there will be loads of experienced talent. Not so good for the teachers looking for work, particularly the newbies.

alien-resurrection · Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Posts: 16 Location: UAE

True, there are gratuities to consider. However, the transition to HCT Fujeirah isn't going to be a smooth one. I know at least five teachers who are simply going to refuse a transfer come September.
But saying and doing are two different things of course.

For those of us who remain in Al Ain, the remaining year will not be all that pleasant for several reasons: two reasons being, that while a significant number of teachers have been siphoned off to Fujeirah, a small number have also resigned so that those who remain will be forced to undertake horrendous overtime with much larger class sizes. Secondly, there is the continual psychological threat that at any moment, any one of us can be "selected" for a forced transfer, even if it is just going to be for a semester at HCT Fujeirah.
The sword of Damocles is hanging perilously close over us all.

Neutrino Girl · Joined: 01 Apr 2010 Posts: 128

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

It is very rare for a transition like this to go smoothly... anywhere in the world... even if it is well planned, which this one definitely was NOT.

Another factor is that there are a number of teachers at UAEU who are ex-HCTers and will not be accepted back even if they wanted to... I would assume that they know who they are and are actively searching elsewhere.

VS

BrownSauce · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Fantasy Island

I'm barging into this thread a little by asking this question, but ... does anybody out there think it worthwhile trying to get HCT and UAEU barred from recruiting their staff from this site?

I'm bringing this up because I was talking the other day to a colleague of mine who worked for AISA, and he told me that his school was barred from recruiting by a certain recruiting outfit in the UK due to some very nasty tricks AISA played on freshly-recruited staff a couple of years back. It seemed like a very appropriate response to maltreatment, and one well worth trying to emulate.

It would be even better if we could get TESOLArabia to black-list them too. What are the chances, do you guys think?

Alternatively there could be a black-listing blog or website for lousy UAE employers (i.e., HCT and UAEU). Any takers for that one?