Job Discussion Forums

[Maria Redwine]

My friend sent me a captured copy of a NEW staff satisfaction survey initiated by HCT�s Head of HR (also called something weird: Associate Provost �as if that�s a job that comes with a precise and useful job description).

The stated purpose of this redundant survey is to gather information... which will form the basis for recommendations for improvement �AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE� (deemed appropriate by whom � the majority of respondents or the one guy at the top who cuts your increment out from under you?)

Seriously, survey rudey-goon guys! You don�t need to do a survey of HCT and its awful HR department to find out how staff feel. You just need to go to the conference to hear the angry mutterings about HR�s total failure to communicate HCT�s failure to pay up. (HC T employees must now read the National to keep up to date with the Vice-Chancellor�s �reasoning.� ) Or. HR surveyors, you could do a little online reading before you ban the websites like Iranian Ayatollahs and Syrian Baath party.

The real reasons for the survey are two.

First, the person initiating the survey, the HR Associate Provost somebody is applying for a new job (according to HCT SUCKS with a link provided to his searchings) and is desperate to compile statistical evidence to show that on the web every HCT complainant is a whinger. In reality, he wants to argue, the statistics prove that staff,( in tightly controlled HCT surveys,) are euphoric . They love their lack of an increment, their botched holiday calendar compared to ZU and UAEU, and so on.

Secondly, the same HR person is busy compiling awful articles for the Chronicle of Higher Education on how wonderful HCT is (�an employer of choice in the UAE� in his own delusional words) and how wonderful he is to have created such high levels of satisfaction.

He wants to compile the stats to show what a wonderful job he has done in his present job!

So what�s the truth? How satisfied are you with how HCT communicates its decisions to you?

[willynilly]

"their botched holiday calendar "

You can say that AGAIN! and it goes hand in hand with the proposed change in the annual leave system, the biggest SNAFU in HCT history!
It is causing chaos and confusion all around the system as directors deal with the fallout. The HCT is in a state of internal turmoil, no doubt about it. Their non-communication about any of these issues until too late has come back to haunt them and nobody believes or trusts anyone or anything from management now.

[2buckets]

After decades in the ME, my colleagues and myself have concluded that the universal laws of physics do not apply on the Arabian peninsula.

It will always be a place where sycophantic losers end up in positions of authority, and as a result, the locals will have little chance of ever competing with the rest of the world.

[Middle East Beast]

That survey sounds like good fodder for one of Letterman's Top Ten Lists.

I may try to come up with one myself.

MEB

[Shimokitazawa]

Maybe you guys should be posting this on The Chronicle of Higher Education. More of the right kind of exposure by discussing it there. But would HCT care about any negative press at the Chronicle?

Check out that thread from Japan. The University in Akita got a lot of negative press from staff which resulted in a lot of teachers leaving but I don't think there were ever any changes made in management.

But bad press is bad press. I know I'd never apply for a position at that school now after having read all of those comments from people who have worked there.

[republocrat]

Oh please PLEASE send me a copy of that HCT staff dissatisfaction survey.

I know of a certain blogger who will be VERY interested in making it public!

Rep

[Middle East Beast]

Top Ten Reasons to give HCT high marks on its staff satisfaction survey:

10. I'd like to see my firstborn again.

9. If I don't they'll appoint me morale officer.

8. They know where I live.

7. If I don't, the next annual HCT Conference will be held at my apartment.

6. I like to deny reality as much as HCT does.

5. The only response choices to the questions are Excellent, Excellent, Excellent, and Excellent.

4. If I do they'll reduce the number of required monthly meetings from 12 to 11.99.

3. They've got it right--conferences, meetings, projects, meetings, paperwork, meetings, PEP files, meetings, PD sessions, meetings, window dressing, meetings, smoke-and-mirrors, meetings, appearances, and meetings trump devotion to lesson planning and classroom instruction.

2. I like being a Stepford teacher.

And the number 1 reason to give HCT high marks on its staff satisfaction survey...

1. It's the only way to get the damn SUBMIT button to work and end this excruciating exercise in futility.

MEB

[Shimokitazawa]

That was good.

[johnslat]

Dear MEB,

Expect a call from Letterman soon. Very nice job.

Regards, John

[It's Scary!]

I concur...

It's time to go into the back garden and deflate your ego!

[Captain_Fil]

A survey...

...it's scary!