Job Discussion Forums

[While I was out]

Was talking to a friend recently who says that during the probationary period you have to give 7 days notice, either the employer or the employee. Anyone know if that's true?

[bje]

[abayawearer]

Yes, if you hire on with Bahwan, you will be required to give only 7 days' notice during your probation period, which will be your first 3 months. After the 3 months' probation period, you'll have to give them 3 months' notice or 3 months' salary to leave a contract early. You'll need to decide if you like your school enough to stay the entire contract by the end of your probation. After that, you'll have to do a runner if you want to get out without a long-ass wait.

Some will say to simply refer to your contract to find out what kind of notice you'll have to give, as though you are a moron and don't know to do that. The problem with that is when you go with Bahwan, you won't get the contract until you're on the ground in Oman. And even then, it will take several days before the agent will put the contract in front of you. You may work several days in the meantime. If you don't like what you see when you finally do get your contract, you'll miss out on being paid for those days and will have to buy your way back home. And given the habit of the major agencies talking among themselves about which teachers do what in Oman, if you run, you're done in Oman for at least a little while. Can you say 'Blacklist'?

[While I was out]

Thanks abayawearer. Sometimes contracts don't reflect labour law, so a contract could say you need to give 3 months notice, while labour law may say that only 7 days is required.

Oh, and how long would a blacklisted 'person' be 'ahem' blacklisted for? Theoretically.

[abayawearer]

Actually, Oman labor law requires a 7-day probation period, followed by a one-month notice period. Bahwan is just more strict. Like I'd wait around for three months at a job I hate or make a new employer wait on me for 3 months. Dream on, Bahwan.

Remember the agencies talk among themselves about what teachers do. If you work for one agency and do a runner, within hours, the other agencies will know and they won't hire you at another job. Running to Dubai won't work.

It's called example making.

[Duffy]

Abayawearer,

Can you actually prove that these agencies talk to each other and that the so called "blacklist" actually exists?

Or is this all just another urban myth issued by Rumour Control?


Duffy

[jdl]

Actually Duffy,

Abayawearer has a point. S/he must have been privy to some 'insider information' which is typically well guarded by the recruiters, Ministry and College ELC Directors/Deans. The Council of Recruiters and Unified Directors (CRUD) do meet semi-annually in Muscat ( usually in Ruwi) at recruiter expense to discuss and set guidelines for recruitment procedures, quotas, supply and demand dynamics (salary fixing), employee standards and of course black lists. The meetings are generally a matter of tracking the Council's progress along its five year , multi institutional, inter-ministry recruitment plan for ESL and College teachers. The black list is the one area in which there has been substantial interagency/interministerial cooperation and progress where we are now at the point of interfacing with the ROP in creating a shared 'Obsconder/whiner data base'. The most interesting operational feature of this data base initiative is the 'rectal recognition software' which will eventually be installed in discrete locations at the A Seeb and Salallah airports to identify and apprehend 'runners' and generally track and analyze employee 'movement'. Such sensitive and crucial work it is.

There is obviously a leak in CRUD. After 5 years of covert operation 'the CRUD' has come to light.....only the CID has a better record. No one can deny the fine work CRUD has accomplished in forwarding educational excellence in the Nation particularly in the area of Quality Assurance in Staffing. Hopefully this exposure will not hinder progress.

[veiledsentiments]

Thanks jdl... I needed that good laugh with my tea this morning.

VS