Saudi Job Offer - advice needed
Apr 26th 2013, 9:39 pm
#1
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19
Saudi Job Offer - advice needed
Hello,
I've recently been offered a teaching position at a university in Riyadh and I'm looking for some advice on a few things before accepting. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.
1. The university have sent me a 'Confirmation of possible job hiring' form/contract to sign before they send me through a full contract. This only lists pay and holiday allowance information. Is this normal procedure? Can anyone tell me if I'm legally committing to anything by signing this?
2. The offer letter lists a breakdown of salary. There are a couple of allowances which I'm unsure of....there's a discrepancy allowance, experience allowance and a living allowance which I've no idea what they refer to. In addition to this there is also a housing allowance and transport allowance covered by the university. Can anyone tell me what these allowances are and if I can expect to see them in my take-home pay, or if they'll automatically be deducted?
3. Any other info on Riyadh you could give for a 26 year old male moving to the city would be of great help.
Many thanks!!
I've recently been offered a teaching position at a university in Riyadh and I'm looking for some advice on a few things before accepting. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.
1. The university have sent me a 'Confirmation of possible job hiring' form/contract to sign before they send me through a full contract. This only lists pay and holiday allowance information. Is this normal procedure? Can anyone tell me if I'm legally committing to anything by signing this?
2. The offer letter lists a breakdown of salary. There are a couple of allowances which I'm unsure of....there's a discrepancy allowance, experience allowance and a living allowance which I've no idea what they refer to. In addition to this there is also a housing allowance and transport allowance covered by the university. Can anyone tell me what these allowances are and if I can expect to see them in my take-home pay, or if they'll automatically be deducted?
3. Any other info on Riyadh you could give for a 26 year old male moving to the city would be of great help.
Many thanks!!
Apr 26th 2013, 9:53 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: Saudi Job Offer - advice needed
See the voluminous info on the Saudi pages at www.eslcafe.com.
Getting a hosuing allowance is NOT a good deal unless they will give you direct assistance in finding a suitable place.
Some oif the allowances you refer to were additions to salary made to compensate for inflation.(a 15% cost of living adjustment). Transport allowance is a flat reate paid monthly supposedely to offset cost of getting around.Some employers will ALSO provide transport to and from work.
The actual contract is typically only signed after arrival in KSA. Saudi Cultural Mission in London typically gives assistance to recruits going to teach at Government Universities (not to private institutions.)
Getting a hosuing allowance is NOT a good deal unless they will give you direct assistance in finding a suitable place.
Some oif the allowances you refer to were additions to salary made to compensate for inflation.(a 15% cost of living adjustment). Transport allowance is a flat reate paid monthly supposedely to offset cost of getting around.Some employers will ALSO provide transport to and from work.
The actual contract is typically only signed after arrival in KSA. Saudi Cultural Mission in London typically gives assistance to recruits going to teach at Government Universities (not to private institutions.)
Last edited by scot47; Apr 26th 2013 at 9:59 pm.
Apr 26th 2013, 10:01 pm
#3
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19
Re: Saudi Job Offer - advice needed
Many thanks for your reply.
On the document I mentioned housing allowance was listed, but the university are arranging it. Thanks for your advice though.
...will check out eslcafe
On the document I mentioned housing allowance was listed, but the university are arranging it. Thanks for your advice though.
...will check out eslcafe
Apr 26th 2013, 10:02 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
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Posts: 9,740
Re: Saudi Job Offer - advice needed
Avoid a setup where they pay you Housing Allowance and then let you look for housing.
May 16th 2013, 11:42 pm
#5
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Re: Saudi Job Offer - advice needed
Your statement got me worried.http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...s/confused.gif
May 18th 2013, 6:56 pm
#6
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Joined: Jun 2012
Location: Doha
Posts: 156
Re: Saudi Job Offer - advice needed
Housing is notoriously difficult to find in KSA - so a contract where they pay you an allowance but you have to do the searching/paperwork etc yourself creates for you an exercise in futility, frustration and high stress..... not to mention having to deal with contracts, payments etc
Much better option is to have a contract where they provide you with accom that they have organised.
Much better option is to have a contract where they provide you with accom that they have organised.
May 18th 2013, 7:37 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Saudi Job Offer - advice needed
Finding your own place in Riyadh will be a nightmare. As you swim in the shark-infested waters without a flotation device, remember my words !
in KSA all reputable employers provide housing for their Wetsren employees. And transport and health care. And education allowance and ticketing for dependants.
in KSA all reputable employers provide housing for their Wetsren employees. And transport and health care. And education allowance and ticketing for dependants.
