Right im in! Eventually
Discussion
After 9 months of hard work and clearence checks i have now got my contract of employment through for a AD Government Department.
I relocate at the end of september for a month of living out of a suitcase in a hotel room. But will be looking for a apartment in the city and a new set of wheels to get me to work and to DXB at weekends.
I still have not figured out the national holidays though. If the religious holidays fall on a weekend do they get carried forward to the next working days? I am thinking the ones at then end of october as it would be nice to come home for a few days as i am not able to take annual leave for the 1st 6 months of employment.
I relocate at the end of september for a month of living out of a suitcase in a hotel room. But will be looking for a apartment in the city and a new set of wheels to get me to work and to DXB at weekends.
I still have not figured out the national holidays though. If the religious holidays fall on a weekend do they get carried forward to the next working days? I am thinking the ones at then end of october as it would be nice to come home for a few days as i am not able to take annual leave for the 1st 6 months of employment.
ThePlanner said:
After 9 months of hard work and clearence checks i have now got my contract of employment through for a AD Government Department.
I relocate at the end of september for a month of living out of a suitcase in a hotel room. But will be looking for a apartment in the city and a new set of wheels to get me to work and to DXB at weekends.
I still have not figured out the national holidays though. If the religious holidays fall on a weekend do they get carried forward to the next working days? I am thinking the ones at then end of october as it would be nice to come home for a few days as i am not able to take annual leave for the 1st 6 months of employment.
Mabrook (that's congratulations in Arabic)I relocate at the end of september for a month of living out of a suitcase in a hotel room. But will be looking for a apartment in the city and a new set of wheels to get me to work and to DXB at weekends.
I still have not figured out the national holidays though. If the religious holidays fall on a weekend do they get carried forward to the next working days? I am thinking the ones at then end of october as it would be nice to come home for a few days as i am not able to take annual leave for the 1st 6 months of employment.
So you will be public sector?
I would imagine that Eid Al Adha for you if so will be a 4 day weekend, even if the first day falls on Friday the 26th as predicted, as that is the 'bigger' Eid.
it won't be officially announced until a week or max two before the dates though,
ThePlanner said:
After 9 months of hard work and clearence checks i have now got my contract of employment through for a AD Government Department.
I relocate at the end of september for a month of living out of a suitcase in a hotel room. But will be looking for a apartment in the city and a new set of wheels to get me to work and to DXB at weekends.
I still have not figured out the national holidays though. If the religious holidays fall on a weekend do they get carried forward to the next working days? I am thinking the ones at then end of october as it would be nice to come home for a few days as i am not able to take annual leave for the 1st 6 months of employment.
Mabrook on the new job. Which Gov Dep will you be working forI relocate at the end of september for a month of living out of a suitcase in a hotel room. But will be looking for a apartment in the city and a new set of wheels to get me to work and to DXB at weekends.
I still have not figured out the national holidays though. If the religious holidays fall on a weekend do they get carried forward to the next working days? I am thinking the ones at then end of october as it would be nice to come home for a few days as i am not able to take annual leave for the 1st 6 months of employment.
yorky500 said:
Hitch78 said:
Congratulations. What bit of the govt will you be working for - I know a few people in the DOT.
I would like to KILL a few people in the DOT! hahahahadxbtiger said:
Mabrook (that's congratulations in Arabic)
So you will be public sector?
I would imagine that Eid Al Adha for you if so will be a 4 day weekend, even if the first day falls on Friday the 26th as predicted, as that is the 'bigger' Eid.
it won't be officially announced until a week or max two before the dates though,
I am thinking the following holidaysSo you will be public sector?
I would imagine that Eid Al Adha for you if so will be a 4 day weekend, even if the first day falls on Friday the 26th as predicted, as that is the 'bigger' Eid.
it won't be officially announced until a week or max two before the dates though,
Arafat Day* 25 Oct 2012 1 day
Eid Al Adha* 26 Oct 2012 3 days
If it is an extended 4 days weekend then i will be flying home to see the family assuming I have my appartment sorted by then!
Exact dates of holidays won't be set until a week or so (or less) beforehand, so don't book that flight yet.
Also, you may be without your passport for a few weeks whilst all your paperwork is sorted, so again I'd hold off on booking anything until you have it back in hand.
And lastly, you'll only have been here for a month - is there really a need to endure a 7+hr flight back for a couple of days with the family?
Can't remember the last time I flew back to the UK, and not planning on doing so anytime soon.
If I had four days to kill and an itch to travel I'd rather hot foot over to Beirut or Goa and chill out, rather than dealing with delightful GB for a weekend.
Also, you may be without your passport for a few weeks whilst all your paperwork is sorted, so again I'd hold off on booking anything until you have it back in hand.
And lastly, you'll only have been here for a month - is there really a need to endure a 7+hr flight back for a couple of days with the family?
Can't remember the last time I flew back to the UK, and not planning on doing so anytime soon.
If I had four days to kill and an itch to travel I'd rather hot foot over to Beirut or Goa and chill out, rather than dealing with delightful GB for a weekend.
thb said:
Exact dates of holidays won't be set until a week or so (or less) beforehand, so don't book that flight yet.
Also, you may be without your passport for a few weeks whilst all your paperwork is sorted, so again I'd hold off on booking anything until you have it back in hand.
And lastly, you'll only have been here for a month - is there really a need to endure a 7+hr flight back for a couple of days with the family?
Can't remember the last time I flew back to the UK, and not planning on doing so anytime soon.
If I had four days to kill and an itch to travel I'd rather hot foot over to Beirut or Goa and chill out, rather than dealing with delightful GB for a weekend.
I'm leaving my family behind so am keen to see them as often as possible. I'm not bother by the 7hr flight to be honest. The last visa I had for DXB took 5 days so not worried about that. Also, you may be without your passport for a few weeks whilst all your paperwork is sorted, so again I'd hold off on booking anything until you have it back in hand.
And lastly, you'll only have been here for a month - is there really a need to endure a 7+hr flight back for a couple of days with the family?
Can't remember the last time I flew back to the UK, and not planning on doing so anytime soon.
If I had four days to kill and an itch to travel I'd rather hot foot over to Beirut or Goa and chill out, rather than dealing with delightful GB for a weekend.
But thanks for the heads p on the holiday.
thb said:
Sorry - if by family you mean 'wife and kids' then I understand. My 'family' extends to parents and uncles etc - Skype/e-mail is plenty for keeping in touch 
Yep wife and kids. I am not in contact with any of my other family though so that's easy and reduces phone bills a bit moreIn a word- dont. AD Gov is no place to be as an expat - the management will obsess about how to replace you asap with a UAE national. It will start with the magic words 'knowlege transfer' and wil then degenrate into you being forced to hire someone completely unqualified and then onto you being replaced by that person..
Paracetamol said:
In a word- dont. AD Gov is no place to be as an expat - the management will obsess about how to replace you asap with a UAE national. It will start with the magic words 'knowlege transfer' and wil then degenrate into you being forced to hire someone completely unqualified and then onto you being replaced by that person..
I am not to concerned by that as the department i have joined is dominated by foreign nationals and not localsThePlanner said:
I am not to concerned by that as the department i have joined is dominated by foreign nationals and not locals
Which is all the more reason that it will be targeted for nationalisation...My reason for posting is to forwarn you to not give up any opportunities elsewhere (esp private sector); nor sign up for anything expensive such as car loans or rental agreements. Things have changed alot in the last 12 months and your security clearance should give you some insight into the challenges of employment in the region for government jobs for expats.
Jesus chaps - don't all piss on his chips!
I'd agree that a move to the ME does require a different mindset - you work on a shorter horizon, almost year by year. Don't get too comfy; keep a couple of options bubbling and always have an exit plan.
If living like that doesn't bother you or is compensated by money, lifestyle or experience then you'll be fine. If not you'll go home soon enough - many do, but at least you'll have been.
I joined a govt dept in 2009 on a rolling 12 month contract. I got 'removed' within twelve months for political reasons but nabbed another job within a couple of weeks. That contract is still rolling and some of the guys are in their fifth year now, though they are far outnumbered by those who've been and gone.
I get the impression that A.D is finding it's feet again. We're anticipating stable growth in 13 and 14 as projects wind back up and for the heat to return from 15 onwards. We work in govt contracts by the way.
I'd agree that a move to the ME does require a different mindset - you work on a shorter horizon, almost year by year. Don't get too comfy; keep a couple of options bubbling and always have an exit plan.
If living like that doesn't bother you or is compensated by money, lifestyle or experience then you'll be fine. If not you'll go home soon enough - many do, but at least you'll have been.
I joined a govt dept in 2009 on a rolling 12 month contract. I got 'removed' within twelve months for political reasons but nabbed another job within a couple of weeks. That contract is still rolling and some of the guys are in their fifth year now, though they are far outnumbered by those who've been and gone.
I get the impression that A.D is finding it's feet again. We're anticipating stable growth in 13 and 14 as projects wind back up and for the heat to return from 15 onwards. We work in govt contracts by the way.
Paracetamol said:
ThePlanner said:
I am not to concerned by that as the department i have joined is dominated by foreign nationals and not locals
Which is all the more reason that it will be targeted for nationalisation...My reason for posting is to forwarn you to not give up any opportunities elsewhere (esp private sector); nor sign up for anything expensive such as car loans or rental agreements. Things have changed alot in the last 12 months and your security clearance should give you some insight into the challenges of employment in the region for government jobs for expats.
I am trying to find somewhere that is a short taxi ride to work so that i can save some cash for a car over the 1st 8 weeks.
Thanks for the heads up though.
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