Job Discussion Forums

[chaos333]

Hello,

I am a female teacher in Oman, and I am very happy here. However, the reason I am writing this post is to ask for your help in dispelling (or verifying) some rumours that I have heard lately.

The rumours going around are that single female staff at certain colleges in more 'remote' places with 'expat' heads of department are suffering from sexual harrasment.

I am not single, and I have never heard of this before today. The reason I ask is that I have a single female friend who has been offered a job recently, and while I have been able to help her in many aspects regarding the way of life, what to expect, and work-related inquiries - I cannot answer either positively or negatively regarding these 'stories' of sexual harassment.

She is worried, obviously, and has asked me for help - and now I am asking if anyone here knows anything about this. She has heard these rumours from several sources, none of the sources being actual teachers.

I have a feeling that these people are just simply 'haters' of this part of the world, and want to convince her not to accept a job here, but I wanted to make sure by checking here first.

Thank you!

[veiledsentiments]

The reality is that sexual harassment is always a possibility no matter where you work and handling this problem is a fact of life for every female. If she is so young and timid that she has not yet figured this out, perhaps she shouldn't venture into the hinterlands.

If none of her sources are teachers, I'd tell her to ignore the gossip. If she gets an offer from a particular college, then she should find out the situation from people who are actually there...

There has been nothing mentioned here about this problem. (beyond the normal fact that young single females on their own will often draw unwanted attention...)

VS

[chaos333]

Thanks VS - that's pretty much what I already told her!

I tried to find something here, and couldn't, which also tells me that it is not a commonplace and widespread thing which I have somehow missed being informed about. But, better to be safe than sorry, I wanted to see if there were people out there that have simply been 'keeping quiet'.

Thanks again!

[veiledsentiments]

[eha]

' .... tried to find something here, and couldn't, which also tells me that it is not a commonplace and widespread thing which I have somehow missed being informed about...'

In this region (I'm not just talking about Oman, or about sexual harassment) silence about an issue need not necessarily mean that the issue doesn't exist. Sadly, there are MANY reasons for such silence about many issues.... often those that might need discussion the most.