Job Discussion Forums

seemore · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

I would like to go back to a statement made by VS earlier in this forum:

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

Seemore... if you can't figure these things out, it is likely much too complicated for you. There are no contradictions whatsoever for one who understands the situation in the Middle East. So far I see nothing that I need to change nor clairify.

It also seems that your reading skills may be lacking. It was certainly obvious from that posting that BD has already made his decision clear to all and he's going with all the rest who have managed to get an offer. I feel sorry for those that did not manage that...

VS

grand fromage · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 131

Seemore, you seem to have too much time on your hands for issues that seem quite obvious to others. I will not get drawn into a conversation about coordinators again as you seem to be the only one here interested in defending them. Funny thing too: you seem to ask us of proof of their wrondoings while not providing any to the contrary. Honestly, I am not interested in these issues as I care about them as much as they do about me; maybe even less Wink

Oh, but I will make your day and put my money where my mouth is. Yes, I will not be signing a contract tomorrow. This is it for GF at MLI or CERT or whatever they will be called down the road. Good riddance CERT!

seemore · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

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

Mabruk GF!! Glad to hear the news...

Seemore, I am not dodging. I am bowing to the reality of things that 'are not said.' As I said, we old ME hands understand. Too many people know who I am behind the veil. Smile

VS

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

grand fromage · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 131

Thanks VS

I feel like a weight has been taken off my shoulders. But that feeling will only last till I have to figure out how my bills are going to be paid Wink

seemore · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

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

Yes Seemore, there has been much whining about MLI over the past two years... some of it likely OTT, but much of it valid criticism of what has been an extremely stressful and unpleasant situation for almost all of the teachers - and particularly those with families to worry about.

Management at both MLI and HCT have little or nothing to be proud of in all this - much of the problem is likely out of their control - but the burden it has put on even the most professional staff member has been extreme.

I am glad to see that BD has decided to bow out of the debate that has become overly personal and I suspect that you should probably do the same.

VS

Grendel · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Middle East

For all you good people who signed up with CERT: the first year of its contract with GHQ is a trial period, and GHQ has the right at the end of that year to cancel the contract. Gossip from officers says GHQ wishes it could do so now. There's a good chance everyone who signed up with CERT could find themselves in the same situation they just went through.

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

Just when we all thought it couldn't possibly get any worse.

After all this talk on the board, I'm really curious as to how many teachers have actually signed... half? more? less? ... only the shadow knows?

...and the unanswerable question of how many of those will actually show up in August.

VS

seemore · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

jonathanlangley · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 2

I am the 'special MLI teacher' whose message was posted at the beginning of this thread, so I thought I would answer to it. While I am flattered that it was posted en toto, its intended audience was the MLI staff and administration from HCT in charge of the upcoming handover. But since I put it out, I can't complain it was used. Perhaps it did some good - I don't know.

If you are an outsider considering applying to HCT or MLI in the future, I don't think that particular message should color your judgment. Yes, things have not gone so smoothly, but this was for a particular place at a particular time under very special circumstances. I don't know, but I wouldn't think that this episode is indicative of HCT as a whole - so you should ask around and check other threads. And MLI will most certainly be a different place than it is now this time next year. I sincerely hope for the better. Stay tuned.

To be fair, two facts should be mentioned: 1) My message was not pulled off the message board and I was not reprimanded for speaking out, and more importantly, 2) that there was a response to my message from an HCT representative. Two quite lengthy ones, in fact, put out on a public forum for all staff to read. Others can answer as to whether the replies were to their satisfaction since the the switchover doesn't apply to me. I essentially asked for acknowledgement and that's what I got.

I am not retracting what I wrote - I had ten other people look over it to make sure I was not alone in my interpretation of events before I sent it out. And the responses from staff indicated that it did indeed strike a nerve. But it's water under the bridge now. People either signed or they didn't. I agree with both B.K. from HCT and Seemore that it's better to look ahead now, but without forgetting past mistakes. And in this environment, it's hard to know which party is ultimately at fault because so much what is above middle management is unseen and unknown to us. Hopefully, MLI won't have lost too many good staff (and there are plenty of them) nor scare off future good hires. This was one of my motives for speaking out in the first place.

And no, no one asked me to write this, and I'm changing careers anyway* so it's not an attempt to get on HCT's good side, and I'm not a disgruntled employee firing off parting shots. It does not serve my interests to hope for this place go up in flames - and it won't. I just wanted to provide a more complete picture for those outside who are thinking of coming here in the future.

If you're staying, I wish the best of luck for you.

*Calvin Klein underwear model

bobo_the_circus_chimp · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 19

Bobo say Kudos to JL.

Bobo curious! PQ and BK form HCT said MLI staff attrition only 10-20%. Bobo now see that all those leaving MLI is more like 45%. Bobo sad!

Bobo no like fuzzy math. Bobo no like fuzzy contract. Bobo good English teacher monkey.

Bobo also say good luck to all the English teacher monkeys at Abu Dhabi HCT women's and men's campuses. Bobo hears you will help fill void left by departing teachers. Bobo think you will now get a taste of the joys and wonders of the circus known only as the MLI.

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

Jonathan,

Good luck in your new job Shocked

and be sure to come on and let us know in which magazines we can find your photo. Cool

I guess now we can all wait till August and the newest chapter is this soap opera. Insha'Allah, things will go better for both those who leave and those who stay.

VS