Job Discussion Forums

jewsareokwithme · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Avoid this company like the plague!

You will not get a legitimate work visa for months after arrival.

The company is managed by amateur Saudi "businessmen":
your values are worthless + no communication + no trust + shady contract = unpleasant experience.

Working for this company means you will be working at King Saud University alongside Bell employees. Read all the Bell/KSU posts for more information on this working environment.

The lack of ink in the contract explains it all. The less the contract says, the less you can expect from a company.

jewsareokwithme · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Links to discussions about working at KSU... ICEEL and Bell recruit for KSU and these discussion boards are all about the working environment:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=76451

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=78407

South Londoner · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 9

So did they sack you then?

funcky1924 · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Saudi

are u working for ICEEL that you know all of this?

I heard they were doing well from other ICEEL recruited teachers.

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

the few iceel guys that i talked to were quite happy with their jobs at the beginning, but then their situation started to worsen at an exponential rate, and they all ended up being quite disappointed after a years service

seems the typical local outfit, great first impressions, promises, once you are in the kingdom, you got your serial number and that was you as a human being

probably no better no worse than any other in their league

diced260 · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 80

I work for ICEEL. I don't know anyone who has not had their contract honored. Pay is invariably early/on time. Other things tend to be on the Saudi time frame, if you know what I mean.

Was I working "illegally" when I arrived? Yes, but only if you are naive enough to apply western ideals regarding the rule of law to Saudi Arabia, as many do. Did the police care that I was "illegal" when they regularly stopped me for doing 170 in a 120? Not one bit. (By law I should've gone to jail, for excessive speed, not to mention my visa status or the fact that I didn't have a drivers license of any kind. But instead I was told to slow down and carry on.) Did the employer that ICEEL has the contract with care that I was "illegal" and had to leave the country for a few days on a visa run? Not one bit.

Was I able to handle my business? Yes.

People concerned with the "legality" of this or that should get out of their home country a bit more and/or use their noodles for something more than grammar/spelling checks. There's a different standard here, namely Allah's Will.

That said, the KSU project is "as advertised", only that many of the disgruntled brought unbelievable baggage and the satisfied teachers haven't been weighing in. It's a risk that has to be brought into personal context. Good luck, and all the best.

machita · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 11

Does anyone else have an experience with ICEEL that they would like to share?

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

Grendal · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:45 am Post subject:

I recall witnessing a road rage incident between a westerner and a Saudi twerp. The westerner ran the boy off the road with minor scratches to his car while the kid had major front end damage because he was pushed into the curb. The westerner left the scene of the accident and the kid did also.

Later I heard from this westerner that the police had called his rental agency with a report of a hit and run. The westerner went to the traffic HQ and said it was the kid who hit and ran. The issue was decided by the damage that had been incurred to both vehicles. The westerners vehicle had received damage that indicated him being hit and that it wasn't his fault.

Wow, and all this without even a drivers licence on the westerners behalf.

Grendal

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

Grendal

Do you consider the outcome you describe typical? Because our staff was warned if you get into a scrape with a Saudi citizen, the local courts rule in deference to a Muslim's testimony.

I've only had direct experience with one fender-bender and that teacher's outcome was favorable because it was witnessed by a bunch of his students.

LcK

Grendal · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:49 am Post subject:

First. Typical is a relative term for Saudi just like time is. To continue I wuold have to say that this particular case never made it out of the traffic HQ. I do not know what would have happened in a Saudi court. The westerner was a muslim himself so that may have influenced the outcome too. If both sides are giving different testimonies then usually the damage is assesed and the guilty party is determined.

That's all I can say here. Hope this helps.

Regards

Grendal

Grendal · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:12 pm Post subject:

So are there any ICEEL teachers that have landed in Saudi Yet? This thread has gone quiet for a while.

Regards.

G

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

With regard to traffic accidents the idea that the police always decide in favour of Saudis, or courts always believe a Moslem against a non-Moslem are a myth.

In cases where there are no witnesses, and contradictory testimony the police will decide on forensic evidence. If the damage to one car is the front end, and damage to the other car is the side or back, the police will decide the first car was responsible, and this is the same anywhere in the world.

Grendal · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:05 pm Post subject:

So are there any ICEEL teachers that have landed in Saudi Yet? This thread has gone quiet for a while.

Regards.

G