Job Discussion Forums

[Derkugelschrieber]

After reading the seemingly never-ending posts and insults directed at the staff and the Head of the English Language Department at Sohar College, I posted a reply where I pointed out that the person making the posts was no longer employed at the college, that he had been terminated for nefarious reasons and that he still lurks around the college looking for negative things to say on the internet. For doing so, the moderators have threatened to take away my ability to post anything.
It would appear then that this is only a forum for the unfair slamming of individuals and taking cheap shots at those who have better things to than read and reply to this rubbish.
The fact is, Sohar College is in Oman and, as such, it has good and bad points. One of the unfortunate bad points is their bad luck recruiting teachers who spend a few months here and realize the job is challenging and they leave. That has nothing at all to do with the Head of the Department. Recruiting is done by contractors and they are the only ones who have a say over who works here and who doesn't.
However, at this point, aside from being understaffed, we have, for the most part, a highly competent and professional staff. We are all friends and we support each other both in and outside of the workplace. If this is the kind of environment that you would find appealing, then apply here. If not, then don't.

Derkugelschrieber
Somewhere in Oman

[veiledsentiments]

I read the post that disappeared, and expected that it would do so. The MODs have no way of knowing who or where the guilt is...

I think the problem was that you got too specific and directly attacked other posters, which is different from someone coming on and slamming their management. That is almost the norm here.

I know that some are contented with their job at Sohar and we need more of them to come on and say so. But it's usually only those that are unhappy who come around. Better to post some positive details about the employer rather than to attack the attackers... just an idea...

VS

[Archangel]

Derkugelschrieber, Veilsentiments (as usual ) is right. Your last posting was a little over the top and too personal. The MOD was right to delete it. Try to restrain yourself in future if you please.

Just a few comments about what you said. You mentioned that everyone is friendly and supportive. That is simply not true. As a staff member, I know that most of the staff are distrustful of each other, are back-biting and gossiping and non-supportive generally. The atmosphere is one of fear and suspicion. Most conversation tends towards cynicism towards the College, the HOD, the Admin and even the country. Generally, the teachers here are an unhappy lot with alcoholic, personal, spiritual and emotional problems. Moreover, many are quite lonely and really miss having a partner or that special person in their life. I meet with them every day and hear their cries of woe and anguish and behind the smiles and bon-hommie, there is real loneliness, confusion and dejection. I know you are one of them Derkugelschrieber and I feel for you, I really do.

There is no �bad luck� in the whole recruitment process. How could Sohar College have such �bad luck� over the past two years? You say that it has nothing to do with the Head of Department. I beg to differ. The HOD is like a Captain of a Ship. If he doesn't know how to lead, to inspire confidence and bring people (the staff) together, and can't make decisions, then what sort of leader is he? What sort of ship do we have after all is said and done? All we have is a collection of individuals trying to steer the ship, each doing his or her own thing in the fog of confusion. A Captain like that ought to be fired and replaced before disaster strikes. I know that sometimes he sits behind his desk and chain-smokes and in his lonelier moments, even sheds tears.

The contractors do not have the final say as to who they employ. The final decision is made by those in the Ministry. But what do they know anyway, up there in their ivory towers in Muscat? Thirty years ago, the directors of the Ministry were riding donkeys as children; now they drive Mercedes and sit in plush offices. I don't blame them because most of them don't know what the hell they are supposed to be doing as well. Actually, if the truth be told, the fact is that no one in the whole Ministry, from top to bottom, actually knows for sure what their job is. In my experience the only ones who know are the Indian cleaners and gardeners employed by the College. They have a pretty good idea about what they're supposed to be doing. The rest of us ain't got a clue. We're just here for the money, the sun, the scuba diving and because ... we just haven't got anywhere else to go for the time-being.

[bje]

Thanks for an insightful and empathic post, Archangel. I wish there were more like this.

[hakbs]

[007]