Job Discussion Forums

Cozzie · Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

I am looking at jobs in Abu Dhabi and most jobs seem to be 2 year contracts. Has anyone any information on what happens if the contract is broken? Have heard of paying back flights etc - do schools follow through with this??

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Yes they do - that said, if you do a runner in the night, they don't track you down and beat it out of your hide. However, they can put a ban on you and file a police case (extreme but can happen) for the amount of money owed. If for any reason you come back through UAE, you can and will be arrested.

Etisalat (the phone company) does this for unpaid bills.

Cozzie · Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

ok, thanks alot

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

cozzie, are you asking about if they break the contract or you break the contract? depends on the company when it comes to ceasing your contract for whatever reason they trump up. some pay, some don't. check through this site more thoroughly. from what's been said here, you'll find cfbt has a bad record when it comes to paying what they owe to people. some have tried to do a runner in the night and are languishing here in jails now. many recently dumped their cars at the airport and flew out before it was realized what was happening. again check these forums.

Cozzie · Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks Zoot,
was talking about if I break the contract - if I had to return home for whatever reason or just if after a year I didn't like it. Tried doing a search but didn't come up with much. Am new to this so will keep on looking and am sure will get it right eventually! Am a bit worried at the prospect of not being able to return home if all doesn't go to plan or at how much it might cost me to return.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

cozzie, you'll work out in 6-months if you like and want to stay. and in that time, you can leave because you'll still be on probation. the thing to watch is who YOU choose to be your employer - be careful and take very seriously all that has been posted on these forums. avoid mag, cfbt, sabis all have been giving running bad records here.

robotboy · Joined: 27 Feb 2009 Posts: 18

Zoot, do you recommend UAEU or PI? Those are my two best options.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

robotboy, there are mixed reports about UAEU. many north americans losing their jobs right now with the explanation that it's being Emiratised though the Emirati don't have a hope of running or even contributing anything worthwhile yet - i'm assuming they will in the future! the posts about PI are usually that it's ok. personally i have no experience with it. had a buddy who left to go there some time back, but dont hear from him one way or another

hamergirl · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 32

What North Americans are losing their jobs? I haven't heard anything about anybody losing their job here.

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

...but as i said on the PI forum, they are losing jobs in Foundations at the PI so Robotboy don't expect to be hired there. Plus who wants a lousy 30 days vacation a year and below market rate housing allowance.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Lucky you hamergirl if you're not one of them. People who are in all stages of their contracts are losing their jobs and those offered to others have been withdrawn.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject:

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

My guess is those who've lost their jobs are keeping quite till they've secured others, but it is happening - horses' mouth information!

Iamherebecause · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:31 am Post subject:

To go back to Cozzie's original question... penalties if you break contract vary. e.g. if you leave UAEU early you have to pay back part of the furniture allowance. And if you don't give sufficient notice you stand to lose some or all of your gratuity. But you do get the airfare home.

If you are so concerned about the length of contract ask yourself why, though. What worries you about coming to work in the UAE?