Job Discussion Forums

[teachr11]

KSU has just informed HR companies to not grant exit/reentry visas for the upcoming semester break (January 15-24) unless the individual employee's leave is approved by the Dean. What constitutes as a 'valid' excuse is illness/death in the family, etc. but going on holiday isn't enough.

The justification for such draconian measures is the fear that employees won't be back on time and the semester will get off to a late start.

KSU is already understaffed and it is suspected that HR companies are having trouble securing visas to bring in new employees. Trapping current employees in-country is an excellent way to breed discontent.

[spiral78]

Now, now, relax - why would anyone want to LEAVE the Magic Kingdom, after all??

[johnslat]

Welcome to the Hotel Saudi Arabia - you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.


Regards,
John

[plumpy nut]

Don't come unless you want to be an indentured servant

[lcanupp1964]

This won't help much, but when this happens to me (and anytime this place screws with me), I would think about the following:

I was a store manager at a Sam Goody CD store in a mall in Florida soon after finishing my B.A. Because I worked on salary, my boss - the district manager - didn't have to worry about giving me only 40 hours a week. I worked an average of 55 hours per week. I had to work at least one open to close shift called "irons" every single week. This met I had to open the store at 9am and stay until 10pm. I could never have two days off in a row in a given week. If an 18 year old kid called in sick 30 minutes before his/her shift started on a Friday night, I had to cover the shift. I made about $23,000 a year. One day. a customer yelled at me for a solid hour because I sold out of the new Michael Bolton CD.

Now, I work 2/3 hours a day and make a hell of a lot more money. I also get 9 weeks off every summer. At Sam Goody, I got five days off a year. If I can't leave the country and drink beer during the mid-year break, Its not that big of a deal.

Look at the bright side brother!!!

To the OP: I think Draco can stay in Greece. I don't feel the staff is punishing you, or the other fine teachers at KSU. It is more likely that there are just too damn lazy and uncaring of their employees because they don't understand the concept of investing in people. One can't make any money by caring about employees. If one could make money by caring way too much for their workers, France would be the richest, most powerful country in the world. They have 35 hour work weeks and one of the lowest retirement ages in the western world. If a French worker wants one more hunk of cheese with their company provided meal, they will simply go on strike until the Brie de Meaux is delivered. ***Warning: Off-topic alert.***

[Heaton]

There is no bright side. You are a slave now. Send all your money home and do something deportation-worthy. Good luck.

[veiledsentiments]

My first job in the Gulf was in Oman at the shiny new SQU. Our break between semesters was 5 weeks!! (it's now a more normal 2 weeks, so don't rush to apply) AND, we were not allowed to leave the country. Oman requires no exit visas, so they might not have known if we did... and some drove to the Emirates discreetly. (in those days, single women couldn't drive across the border... or even be driven by friends) Fortunately there was plenty to see in Oman, but we never quite figured out why they had the rule.

When I was in the UAE in my next job, we could leave the country during the 2 week semester break, but if we did, it was deducted from our summer 60 days.

What I'm saying is that these universities/employers in the Gulf can make the rules as they wish for whatever reason...

VS

[lcanupp1964]

I’m starting to feel that I can no longer afford to be a criticizing everything that I can’t change. Rather, I want to start embracing those things I can influence because I’m now seeing the positive side. If I don’t start doing this, I will burn out. Cutting things down just for the sake of bitching only makes for a “good read” on sites like this. I will leave that waste of energy for teachers over here in their 30’s with large chips on their delicate shoulders, or very blunt axes to grind. Those charming and inspiring teachers can risk fighting the good flight by chirping the famous war chant of the young, “It is not the point, it is the principle, damn it”.

The soapbox that is required over here to stand on and shout from is quite heavy. I left mine at home to use when I visit my father.

Maybe slave-like feelings crop up more if one feels they are being taken advantage of, or are feeling compromised regarding their principles. I’m lucky; I feel neither.

There are millions of people that live paycheck-to-paycheck - if they even have a job. Winter is coming and I think about how many people back home may have to make tough choices. Choices like, "do I pay the gas bill for the heater, or do I make my car payment that is already 59 days late?” Speaking of choices, anybody that is not happy over here can go home. The chains one may feel might be deeper issues that bind you and hold you back/down. Perhaps those chains are really just a fast food chain in your future. I hear KFC is always looking for shift leaders to work the third shift in Cleveland.

[johnslat]

Dear icanupp1964.

Cleveland? Naw - Buffalo's where it's happening.

http://media.wccbcharlotte.com/images/Buffalo-Snow-2014-Cover.jpg

Regards,
John

[MixtecaMike]

[scot47]

TEFLing in Saudi sure beats shelf-stacking in a supermarket !

[cmp45]

[lcanupp1964]

Dear Mike,

In my case, it might be a little bit of positive thinking mixed with visiting my friend "Mister Sid" every once-in-a-while.

[plumpy nut]

[scot47]

Not the advice that I would give. I say "INSIST on an Iqama !"