Job Discussion Forums

eeliza13 · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 17

If you get a solid answer about sandals, please post it.

I have several pairs of nice dress sandals and open-toe shoes, but I have opted to bring a pair of closed-toe heels as well.

lynnknows · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:56 am Post subject:

this is from the assistant director for PNU PYP

Loose long skirts, shirts with 3/4 sleeves or longer and go figure sandals ARE allowed.

Hope this helps

eeliza13 · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 17

That is very good news.

sofaspud · Joined: 28 Oct 2011 Posts: 7 Location: UK

Thanks for all the info ladies. Good news about the sandals, as I have about 12 pairs of shoes untouched open toe and closed that will be accompanying me. Yes I heard about the erm accommodation set up with SBC. I'm hoping that it'll be a child-free zone where I am housed, but if not I've already decided I'll take the housing allowance and find my own accommodation. Hell, I'll even pitch in double the amount if I have to.

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

lynnknows · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:51 am Post subject:

From what I have been told by the SBC office unless you are married and provide proof, you will not be given an allowance AT ALL. I cant imagine living with small kids.

Many women are VERY upset. The contract does not say anything about being married in order to get an allowance.

BretHarte · Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Posts: 94

sofaspud · Joined: 28 Oct 2011 Posts: 7 Location: UK

What on earth...no housing allowance? Well this is inconvenient to say the least Evil or Very Mad

Lynnknows, are you 100% sure that the housing allowance won't even be offered with SBC??
Lol as stated in detail in the Adwaa advertisement 'private furnished accommodation'. Rolling Eyes

I'm going to have to check this out as my mother wants to come and visit me frequently, and I don't think she'd quite take kindly to a sofa bed with a crazed toddler on the loose. Mad

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:31 pm Post subject:

Dear sofaspud,

" . . . my mother wants to come and visit me frequently. . . "

And that may well turn out to be a major hassle as well. Getting visitor visas for even close family members is often a complicated process.

Regards,
John

c_dange · Guest

lynnknows, are you in Riyadh working for SBC right now? If so, please tell us...what's the compound like? (Besides there being a lot of children running around). And have women living there even been able to bring over their children or husbands?

Not that I'm married or have any children, but more interested in the atmosphere. Personally, I don't have a problem living with people I've just met...looking forward to it in fact. But I would expect that single women and 'families' are housed separately. Is that the case?

Clause 6 in the Adwaa contract does read: "fully furnished housing or the allowance can be taken as equal to 25% of the monthly basic salary according to Saudi labor law". In speaking with both Adwaa and World Ed they said that there'd be a 3 month probationary period, after which you may apply for the allowance. Although, whether or not you get it depends on approval from your employer, who would then assist you in finding a new place to live.

Either way, I'm going with no expectations...prepared to adapt to my surroundings once I'm there. But I do have a strong suspicion that the housing standards for women are much lower in Saudi and that the concept of a women's autonomy or privacy, practically non-existent.

lynnknows · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 1:57 am Post subject:

When you arrive you will stay in a hotel. The compound is not ready. I am not sure when you all will move in but it should be soon. BUT dont hold your breath, It could be months.

The hotel is ok, NO kitchen so that mean eating out a lot. That can be expensive if you have a family. The women have arranged to have a buffet meal three days a week. They run 35SR a meal. Breakfast is included with the room.

I am 100% sure they will not give an allowance UNLESS you have a husband or son over the age of 9 or 10. They do what the contracts says. They give you an home or an allowance. The thing is you have no choice in what you get.This is one of the things many of the women are VERY upset about.

I dont know what is going on with the visa issues. As of today no one has an iqama or even started the process of getting one. SBC SAID they will get everyone an iqama after their probation period is over. Personally, if I had a husband and children I would not risk it. I dont trust much these recruiters say. If you go they take your passport on arrival and you're stuck there without your family.

There are a few people with their families there. However, most of them have their own visa. This is why their husbands and or kids are already there.

NO, I am not there full time. I have a contract offer with SBC and one with KAU. Once I make this next trip I will know for sure where I am going to work. I have no own multi entry/exit visa. I am in the ME. I have been popping in and out. I also have about 7 friends working at PNU. This is how I get all the info. Between talking to my friends and visiting I get to see and hear about everything.

Sheikennotstirred · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 28 Location: Saudi Arabia

Could I also please request any info from anyone who is actually there at the moment? I'm not so worried about the iqama side... it seems there are advantages to having a business visa to be able to make a quick getaway.

But specifically... do SBC pay on time? Are staff generally treated ok? Is the workload manageable? How are the students?

Many thanks for any help or advice people have to offer!

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

johnslat · Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:06 pm Post subject:

Dear It's Scary,

" . . . to be able to make a quick getaway."

CLearly, you've never been involved in a bank robbery Rolling Eyes

Regards,
John