Job Discussion Forums

[PC Parrot]

Some people were even on 10,500 Dh.

Amazing that you didn't know

[veiledsentiments]

I started at near 10,500 at HCT in 1992. I know that the low pay was the reason I had never bothered to apply. You will, of course, admit that this situation had never occurred anywhere else (probably in the world) and is as likely to happen again in Gulf TEFL as it would be for the two of us to elope.

VS

[Shakhbut]

[3154Heron]

I started at UGRU at 7800 and left after 4 yrs. I came back to HCT RAK in '99 at 11500, which I was quite pleased with. I lived in a beach villa in Galliha on the strait of Hormuz for 5 years ... good times. I transferred to ADWC after 6 years. Total 'effing nightmare. I departed after being turfed out in 2010, because a Head wanted my parking space at our apt building. I left at 22,000 per month and have been glad to see the back side of the UAE. If you think you can go there and come out in one piece, you are delusional.
Mister Bob

[dragonpiwo]

I think you need 30k plus/ month to have an Ok life, pay your mortgage and save too.

Without a housing allowance you'll be shelling out the best part of 100k, if not more to rent a flat and furnish it basically and it's all up front.

I've never seen contracts demanding a deposit and 12 months rent anywhere in the world.

[peripatetic_soul]

Update on the relocation allowance:
I stumbled across an ex-pats forum with a thread on UAE. One poster heading for HCT in August confirmed he/she will receive 30,000 dhs in monthly installments over 3 years (to avoid college incurring a loss from "runners") as a "relocation allowance" so this differs from previous comments where such perks would be completely eliminated. I can't confirm if this applies to all applicants but is encouraging news.

The poster also indicated HCT will pay for hotel/board for up to 6 days. Good to know this hasn't changed. I recommended that he/she buy the basics (bed and cooking pot) but wait until January when lots of teachers will apparently be departing, at which time he/she can purchase other necessary items at a substantial savings. There are also good deals during Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha after Ramadan.

PS

[veiledsentiments]

I just heard from someone who had also heard of this idea of spreading the "settling in allowance" over the contract. I have heard of some ludicrous ideas from this organization over the years, but this has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard of... DUH... the whole concept is to help get your new home set up. What damn good is it if you are getting only a pittance each month. So that first month when you need a few thousand dollars to be quasi comfortable in your new home... they will gift you about $225... live it up... by the end of the first year maybe you can get yourself that fridge and stove...



VS

[peripatetic_soul]

One rule of thumb while in the UAE: Do not apply logic!

I agree, VS, the housing allowance policy is brainless. The least they could do is provide a decent % prior to probation and the rest thereafter. This will definitely necessitate a bundle of out-of-pocket $$$$$$ incurred up front.

I was amazed at the significant number of posters at that ex-pat forum who are excited about heading to HCT. I wonder if they have ever visited Dave's?!

PS

[Blackbear]

[veiledsentiments]

[peripatetic_soul]

Dear VS,
Re: elated candidates on that ex-pat forum UAE thread who are destined to head to HCT in August (with the exception of one who has been waiting 4 months for a visa)-- Of course, I felt compelled to apprise them of Dave's, but had to do so via PM because the moderator would not allow the website to appear on an open thread. However, it seems most are intent on departing in August and I've received no replies so we can anticipate that the saga on this thread shall continue ..... well, at least until 2018.
Regards,
PS

[D. Merit]

Three reasons for this I guess.
1) people assume that those happy with their lot don't get on the Internet to tell everyone. In this case of course the overwhelmingly negative vibes are fully justified.
2) that package still looks pretty good if you're earning 750 bucks a month and don't realise fully what an almighty pain in the posterior sorting your own accommodation will be.
3) let's be honest - TEFLers are now more than ever 'ten a penny'.

[veiledsentiments]

The new gang of incompetents who have taken over HCT have come up with a new way to abuse their teachers... because that is apparently their reason for living. I'm beginning to think that their purpose is to make every teacher not on their first contract resign so that they can be replaced by cheap non-native speakers who won't realize and/or just accept things... no matter what is heaped on their heads. Or perhaps with newly graduated Emiratis... who will cost them more money and few will be able to handle the jobs as yet.

A memo went out - after a significant number of the teachers had already gone on leave - that all teachers currently on staff must get their documents certified, as the new teachers the last few years have had to provide. (I'm sure that all of them do their summer travels with their graduation certificates and transcripts in their bag.) The fact is that all of these teachers had already turned in the official sealed transcripts that have been required since the early 90s... a document that actually confirms that each teacher has completed their education and been rewarded the degree.

But oh no... that now isn't enough for the fools at the top. We want certified copies of your degrees. Does that prove anything? Of course not... it is merely a way to suck money out of teachers' pockets to put pretty ribbons and stamps on useless pieces of paper to fill file cabinets in Administration that proves absolutely nothing more than they already know.

A complete and total waste of time and money that is merely abusive. Where did they find these idiots? Why don't they just fire everyone and get it over with?

VS

[peripatetic_soul]

So, I wonder if those HCT folks who have renewed under the new "regime" are still able to retain their original housing contract when allowances were in effect and housing officers provided contracted housing or they too must vacate and thus, become hostages to the new system. I ask because midstream in my contract when the allowance was shaved, a few of us remained at our initial villa complex, and our college negotiated the allowance to remain in effect until we departed. Those who opted for other accommodations lost that sponsorship.

Hmmm, what comes to mind now is a plausible reason why some ex-pats have been required to reapply in the past 2-3 years, i.e., in order to fall under the new "no housing provided" system (and, as I read on the resurrected HCT Sucks Blog, they were invited back under a lesser salary and perks)? Do we see a pattern emerging here, or is this simply too far reaching in applying logic?

Unfortunately, most of my colleagues have or are departing and do not wish to expend anymore emotional energy on HCT, which one can appreciate.

Best wishes,
PS

[peripatetic_soul]

Hey, stillafool,
Sent you another PM today. Best wishes.

Regards,
PS
Sunday