Job Discussion Forums

[Win Some Lose Some]

Hello,

I have read some unpleasant things. However, they have offered me a job while several others have made preliminary offers when they looked at my resume only to withdraw them when they found out my age and I need to find a job soon. I am an older teacher.

I realize that the problem of age discrimination isn't unique to any one part of the world. That is in fact why I've started looking outside of the country in Asia where I've been working for the past several years. It has become extremely difficult to find a job here now because they have a very strong preference for younger teachers.

Regarding me as an individual, I am in good health and good shape. I maintain a healthy weight. I work out regularly and have lots of energy. Pretty much all of my socializing during my years of teaching in Asia has been with people who were 10 to 25 years younger than me. And I have an active mind with a memory that's been better than most of my younger colleagues (probably from taking Omega-3 fish oil supplements for many years). So, people generally think of me as a younger person.

I realize, of course, that rules are made to apply to groups of people with little in the way of exceptions, so my individual case really doesn't mean anything to potential employers. If their rules say they won't hire anyone over a certain age then that's it for that employer.

That was kind of long-winded, but sometimes when you put good information out, good ideas or suggestions come back. So, that's why I was spending so many words to describe myself.

But the main reason for this post is simply to see if I can locate any current employees of this employer to talk with about their current experiences working there. I have read one very unhappy sounding email from mikeinitaly sent to him by a friend who is working for them.

I realized that this forum is blocked in KSA these days, but, of course, some people visit it anyway using their VPNs. Also, some of you may know people working for them who don't have VPNs. So, I will give out one of my email addresses. If you can pass along my request to talk with current employees of EdEx to them I would very much appreciate it.

They could certainly talk with me and tell their experiences anonymously without worrying if they use an email address that is unfamiliar to their supervisors. Indeed, the email address that I'll give out now is also unfamiliar to any employers.

It is kind_comrade@ yahoo.com

I will need to decide and send the signed contract back to them pretty soon, so any responses would need to be very soon to be especially useful.

To the other folks who like to post and offer their sage advice on this forum, I have been reading your wise advice here for some time now and appreciate your experienced perspectives very much. However, since I've already read many of your dire warnings, it would probably not be useful for you to post them again on this thread. But any good advice about options that might work for me would certainly be appreciated.

Based on the feedback I've read on this forum, this is not a decision I take lightly.

Many thanks in advance for any useful feedback.

[Fernwood]

I understand the situation, you need to work and they will give you the chance you need. But the real question will be, how much are you willing to put up with to get the job?

Not getting paid on time? Working from 645am to 5pm - double shifts? Not getting OT pay? Administrative mismanagement? Never getting the proper work visa - working only on a business visa? Working 48 hours a week / 6 days a week? Not being able to work for another ESOL organisation in KSA up to 2 years after you leave them? Not having single accommodations? Teaching classes with 30+ students?

I turned the offer down but PM me and I will give you a contact currently there who is hating it and seriously struggling. That's where I got the above details.

Good luck.

[epik_teacher]

zzz

[epik_teacher]

zzzz

[fledex]

I have friends working there now. They have been told that they will not be allowed to leave the country during vacations, and they must get preapproval for any travel in country during vacations or on weekends. Beware, you might be stuck once there.

[Badar Bin Bada Boom]