Job Discussion Forums

thelibrarian-ae

I am interested in finding out about current employment conditions at MIST, Glenelg, VETI, ADEC (HQ) and Al Dar (HQ or schools).

Do any of you have recent experience working for one or more of these employers? If given the opportunity, which one of these employers would you love to work for and why?

My IDEAL (or dream?) requirements are:
1. a generally friendly and respectful working environment (particularly a relatively stable and supportive upper management, and, effective proactive library services)
2. flat provided somewhere in Khalidya/Bateen/Karama (single, no children)
3. a fair if not generous salary policy (and practice) for the current economic times (established standards, merit increases, etc.)

I would greatly appreciate your feedback--although I worked as a Librarian in the UAE for several years (took last two years off to tend to parents/family), so much has changed, that I am a bit out of the loop. Confused

Thanks!

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Don't know what they've done wrong over at Glenelg, but they find it hard to keep their teachers. Lots of confusion by all reports.

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

You're highly unlikely to get #2. If you're lucky you will be given an apartment somewhere in AD - maybe not even on the island. You'd probably be more likely to be just given a housing allowance and told to get on with it. (That is definitely true of Glenelg anyway.)

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

And you DON'T ever take money for housing and just get on with it - the costs and the chances of finding something decent are prohibitive

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

You're right VeraLynn and that's why the housing market is like it is - a lot of people trying to find adequate housing at an affordable price. Plus they're competing with the housing offices of organizations like HCT, ZU, and PI who have deeper pockets.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:26 am Post subject:

thelibrarian-ae · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:20 am Post subject:

Thanks, all--really appreciate the feedback received so far. Smile

Housing is a big concern, as a single, would really prefer the island...saw monthly rentals listed in "Abu Dhabi Week", studios 75-85K, 1 and 2 bedrms 15K-145K (karamah, muroor, close to zu, and so on)...maybe the areas are starting to open up, or, the adverts are being used as "hooks" for other more expensive rentals.

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

I suspect the latter.
It seems more is becoming available on island but prices are holding at present.
I would rather live on island if I were you too!

thelibrarian-ae · Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:13 am Post subject:

It seems very odd that employers in the field of education didn't snap up leases in buildings under construction, or, start their own on-site housing (like AUS).

In the "old days" we generally had 3 or 4 company provided choices within our allowance bracket, one paid month in a hotel (including food) while spending our furniture allowance for the big move. If the hotel stay went over a month, the company paid for extra days if the delay was beyond their control (elec/gas not hooked up for example).

I understand the housing shortages, price increases, etc., but most institutions I worked with in the past had pretty good manpower projections, and, should have been working with the property/real estate markets.

At the same time, loosing qualified staff hardly before they start, due to lack of housing, should have been a red flag to employers a long time ago...