Job Discussion Forums

rigel · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308

Me: "Hold on. You want me to wait until I get to Saudi Arabia and THEN sign the contract?"
Agent: "Yes. We are a reputable company, and many have dealt with us in the past. If you don't trust us, say no and we'll get somebody else."
Me: "What do you take me for? You take that deal and pound sand, buddy."

An actual exchange. Yeah, I bet 'many' have dealt with these guys. As in half the TESOL universe, their turnover is so bad.

Another one bites the dust-uh.

Grendal · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:53 am Post subject:

We know who "me" is.
But we don't know who "agent" is.

Grendal

rigel · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308

In a perfect world, we could simply treat those and blanks and fill them in. In a perfect world, everyone would have my attitude and outlook when it comes to these shyster deals.

And the lamb
lies down
on KSA street.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

...err... Rigel... as many of us have told you, final contracts are nearly always signed in country in the Gulf. You may have a provisional "contract" or offer letter that you sign and send back, but the official contract never leaves its "homeland." Laughing

This was true of every one of my very legitimate and dependable university employers in the rest of the Gulf. Have the Saudi experts had the same experience? What happens at places like the IPA or KFUPM?

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

johnslat · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,

"What happens at places like the IPA . . ."

As Cleo wrote: " . . . . you sign the final, detailed contract after you arrive in KSA. That contract will be in Arabic and English, with Arabic being the only legally binding language."

Regards,
John

rigel · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308

Friends
Countrymen

Relax. This was an outfit we all love to hate here. The thing is, I'm not sure which of three it really was. I saw three names that throw up red flags in a single email.

As I said in a previous post. If the deal is good, I'm on it. If it sucks, I'll abuse the people a little bit. I'm gonna have fun with the bad apples. They've earned it.

rigel · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

Post deleted

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

You have signed "a contract" but it is very likely not "the contract."

And do take note of every negative comment on here from those that have experience of the fact that contracts are for you to follow to the letter (the Arabic version leading) and they will follow what they want to, when they want to, if they want to.... their interpretation may be 180 degrees from yours.

Few of these employers are very trustworthy, and you really need to have accepted these... um... imponderables when heading to Saudi in particular.

VS

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

R>, youre drivin em nuts. They cant relate to your jocular levity. Go pound sand! Laughing

Thats such a funny line. Havent heard it in a long time. It was refreshing.

As for the ones who are annoyed or confused or both by your constant pounding sand on the KSA forum, oh well, they have a right to express theirs, too.

And the world turns round some more.........

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The norm is to get a very specific job offer, which has all the details about hours and salaries and benefits. Without it the embassy won't issue a visa

I've just checked up with my emails and KFUPM sent me a full employment contract.

johnslat · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject:

Dear Stephen,

"I've just checked up with my emails and KFUPM sent me a full employment contract."

The Arabic and the English versions?

Regards,
John