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NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Old Feb 4th 2022, 8:51 am
  #121  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Ewings999
What are the general working hours/patterns like?
Considering a move but would leave the family in the uk as settled have heard of companies doing 6 days and week working but with an 8 week on 2 weeks off pattern? Which would work really well.

is there much to do at the weekends?
I work on a different project, but we do a compressed working week. 10 hour days, 5 days a week. 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off. Weekends are a bit of a write-off, but you get to read all the books you haven't whilst looking after small children. Weeks go by pretty quickly being exhausted. Basically, you trade in a little life for a handsome financial reward and only work 8.5 months a year.
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Old Feb 4th 2022, 10:47 am
  #122  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Wow that sounds quite good to allow some family downtime in those two weeks. Is a normal working week 40hrs then pretty much and by working ten hours overtime a week u bank 80 hours.

Are u in a desk job and/or on site as I wonder if desk jobs would have such a good pattern.

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Old Feb 4th 2022, 5:29 pm
  #123  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Is that for a desk role or on site? Exactly what I would be looking for doing as would give a good two weeks downtime with the family,
used to working long hours per week anyway so may as well be paid for it
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Old Feb 4th 2022, 5:32 pm
  #124  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Exactly. I was expecting even longer hours with nothing back. I sense it might not be widely implemented though as I’ve not been told about that through a number of interviews nor from the recruiter im dealing with.

Here’s hoping though 🤞🏼🤞🏼
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Old Feb 4th 2022, 6:37 pm
  #125  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Laguna_1
Wow that sounds quite good to allow some family downtime in those two weeks. Is a normal working week 40hrs then pretty much and by working ten hours overtime a week u bank 80 hours.

Are u in a desk job and/or on site as I wonder if desk jobs would have such a good pattern.
Desk job. It's been introduced across the board for all western and ocn expats, but not for our saudi colleagues. Yeah, it's two weeks off in lieu basically. But I am wondering how on earth I shall be able to spend all my holiday without being gone for 3 weeks at a time, which probably may become problematic for the client. Insh'allah, no problems leading to it being removed.

Perhaps worth mentioning that our current arrangement only started towards the middle of December last year, so we're starting the first round of rotations. My boss who has been here for 8 years tells me he has never had it this good here. So yeah, probably not a very common arrangement for desk based jobs.

Last edited by Paracletus; Feb 4th 2022 at 6:54 pm.
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Old Feb 5th 2022, 2:50 pm
  #126  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Tabuk is more like 2 hours now not 3 as there have been lots of road improvements. NEOM Bay airport flights should be increasing this year. Turns out it’s an old military airfield so technically you could land an A380, although obviously that won’t happen.

Compressed working week is not a NEOM thing.
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Old Feb 5th 2022, 6:31 pm
  #127  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Ewings999
What are the general working hours/patterns like?
Considering a move but would leave the family in the uk as settled have heard of companies doing 6 days and week working but with an 8 week on 2 weeks off pattern? Which would work really well.

is there much to do at the weekends?
My husband is currently working 7 days a week. He's lucky if he gets a Friday off here and there. He's lucky he actually enjoys it and likes his colleagues. This is a desk job.
It depends what level you're at I think and what kind of work you're involved in. I see some of my neighbours coming home at regular hours and hanging out on weekends. Generally though people seem busy. There's a lot to do. The reward generally, is very good and we fully expected this before moving here.

Last edited by Saff_Parker; Feb 5th 2022 at 6:35 pm.
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Old Feb 5th 2022, 6:33 pm
  #128  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by ZeroCool_HTP
Once one enters on a work visa (single entry - 90 days), how long does it take them to issue an IQAMA? Are you stuck there and unable to leave until you get it?
My husband entered on a work visa.
Took approx. 4 weeks for his iqama to be issued.
I don't know about needing to stay put while on a work visa.
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Old Feb 5th 2022, 7:15 pm
  #129  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Saff_Parker
My husband entered on a work visa.
Took approx. 4 weeks for his iqama to be issued.
I don't know about needing to stay put while on a work visa.
Cool, thanks for the info. Thats not the longest wait then. Shouldnt be too bad. Im assuming cant leave until getting the IQAMA as its single entry only.
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Old Feb 6th 2022, 1:31 am
  #130  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Hi everyone.
ive been following Neom related threads since I got in touch with a head hunter for a job opportunity in Neom.
Over the past few days I heard from some that NEOM is hiring mostly western experts and not preffering "ppl. Of colour" even if they have EU nationalities. Is this true?

Secondly, its been 2 weeks since my interview and i havent heard anything. Is it normal? Recruiter says that he isnt getting a feedback from NEOM.

Thanks in advance for your reply.
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Old Feb 6th 2022, 5:12 pm
  #131  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Ashfire
Hi everyone.
ive been following Neom related threads since I got in touch with a head hunter for a job opportunity in Neom.
Over the past few days I heard from some that NEOM is hiring mostly western experts and not preffering "ppl. Of colour" even if they have EU nationalities. Is this true?

Secondly, its been 2 weeks since my interview and i havent heard anything. Is it normal? Recruiter says that he isnt getting a feedback from NEOM.

Thanks in advance for your reply.
There are lots of "people of colour" on site with American/European nationalities working in corporate roles.
I have not personally heard what you've just mentioned.
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Old Feb 7th 2022, 7:09 am
  #132  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to know what type of projects right now in NEOM. My background is Electrical/Telecommunications Systems. Experience of working both in KSA and UK.
What are salary benefits between client ( PIF, NEOM) , consultant( WSP,AEOM, Parsons) or contractors.
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Old Feb 8th 2022, 7:51 pm
  #133  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Hi everyone,

I am currently trying to process the work visa multiple documents after a lengthy process of degree validation, however the KSA embassy from my country won’t accept the scanned work contract, only hardcopy. On the other hand, the NEOM onboarding specialist keeps telling me that a soft copy shall suffice. I strongly recommended them to find a solution, either sending the hardcopy to me or call the KSA embassy and convince the diplomatic staff to accept the scan - both are different entities of the same government. Could you please let me know how smooth was your work visa process and if you had similar requests, how did you actually solve them ?
I am actually questioning myself if I made the right choice resigning my current job for NEOM. The communication with the onboarding specialist is so slow. . . I accepted NEOM offer firstly for the scale of the project, the exposure and the challenge.
Thanks in advance.

Last edited by Alex23; Feb 8th 2022 at 8:00 pm.
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Old Feb 8th 2022, 9:31 pm
  #134  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Hi All,

Are there any restrictions impose by the Neom as the visa sponsor requiring you to gain permission to leave KSA anytime? I’ve heard this restriction has occurred in the UAE before allowing the company control on when you can leave.



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Old Feb 8th 2022, 10:28 pm
  #135  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Alex23
Hi everyone,

I am currently trying to process the work visa multiple documents after a lengthy process of degree validation, however the KSA embassy from my country won’t accept the scanned work contract, only hardcopy. On the other hand, the NEOM onboarding specialist keeps telling me that a soft copy shall suffice. I strongly recommended them to find a solution, either sending the hardcopy to me or call the KSA embassy and convince the diplomatic staff to accept the scan - both are different entities of the same government. Could you please let me know how smooth was your work visa process and if you had similar requests, how did you actually solve them ?
I am actually questioning myself if I made the right choice resigning my current job for NEOM. The communication with the onboarding specialist is so slow. . . I accepted NEOM offer firstly for the scale of the project, the exposure and the challenge.
Thanks in advance.
I definitely understand your frustration. May I ask for further details; If i understand correctly, The KSA embassy in your country wants a hard copy of the NEOM work contract/ employment agreement? - very strange, couldn't you just print it? either way that's annoying. Everything should be digital, it's 2022.

To be honest it seems like the embassy is at fault here. There is no reason they shouldn't be able to accept a digital copy( especially in covid times)


Did you have to resign from your current role before NEOM would hire you?

Iv heard of people getting everything arranged in as little as 1 month (very early & urgent hires) and iv also heard of people having to wait 4-5 months to get sorted out. I guess it depends on your situation.



Would you mind telling me about your degree validation process? by lengthy was it a long wait time? or was there just a lot of back and forth?


Again; i truly feel your frustration but i think it will be worth it!
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