Unemployment in Wonderland: Dubai November 9, 2008

Have heard that NAKHEEL laid off 350 employees and today, have received new news about DAMAC – it is laying/already laid off 100 employees.

What is the issue here? Is the property and construction world falling from its mightiness? If it is, there is only but the debris of thousands of people going jobless.

I read the jobs4u section in gulf news. They’re now paying AED 12000 – AED 14000 to HR & Recruitment professionals. The money is good as per this day and age in UAE. But what are they paying for?

Seems there is a huge shortage of work, projects are going out of hand, companies supposedly do not have money for projects, contracts are being cancelled, major names in property development are selling off their properties or co-owning them with another major name – where is all the money going?

What is the trouble in wonderland?

Would appreciate it if anyone (who has been affected by/ likely to be affected by/ knows about – this situation) would like to share their story here.

As usual, there is no mention about the stark reality in the Gulf News and the Khaleej Times (People in the UAE wonder why they censor the reality that the public knows. Maybe its to make UAE look rosy and still so attractive to the Western/Eastern/Asian world and their job seekers, but normal human beings have their survival instincts and UAE doesn’t smell so good anymore.)

Though, you can find an article pointing out to the crisis in The National -Developers and brokers feel bite of credit crisis.

Website Facade – Part 2 August 8, 2008

So I’m continuing in the same mood from the previous post.

My company is shutting down. Poof! Poof! With a clap of the hand! Our aircrafts are not being registered in Dubai because after Emirates introduced an A380 into its fleet, Dubai Airport has upped standards. Which means classic boeings have to go elsewhere.

Problem is that Sharjah Airport isn’t willing to register our aircrafts. They’ve tolerated the company long enough. They hate our company.

VOILA!

The company decides to shift to Kazakhstan, lay off all asian employees without giving them their dues and keep Russian and CIS employees back so they could do some odd job or the other.

Classic Example: Like the once Flight Operations Assistant who was shifted to the position of Sales Executive for Charter Flights who was shifted to being Flight Operations Assistant again will now be demoted to Receptionist in our SAIF Zone office. And why? Because she’s Moldovian.

And even though she’s never on her seat and uses free time to eat breakfast, eat brunch, eat lunch, talk to her friends and parents over ‘voice over internet protocol’ which is paid by the office.

But our sweet Filipino receptionist at SAIF has been dismissed because company has no use for her anymore and anyways she was not good, inspite of doing all tasks as directed and sitting on her seat from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM non stop.

Most of the Asian and middle eastern staff are on unpaid leaves or laid off. But CIS citizens and Russians are still on the payroll. Those Asians and Middle Easterns who are not on leave will be paid 50% of their salaries. Those CIS citizens and Russians who are not on leave will get 75% of their salaries. The CIS citizens and Russians who are on leave will get half their leave salaries and also return tickets. For citizens of other countries, people have to bear their own expenses.

Sounds like SHIT?
IT IS.

Now this is the internal situation of my company. I’m saddened by the way they’re using people to play their dirty game of chess.

But I’m happy I’m free. It’s my dream come true. All I’m waiting for is the legal advice which will be offered to me by DAFZA Admin about my claims. And about the company’s refusal to pay me my full notice period salary.

This is precisely why company website are a facade of their true faces. (okie, twintopaz, you were right, I was talking about my company also, but couldn’t be darn true cuz there were some colleagues on my blog) You recieve a call from the company saying they’re interested in you and they chat you up on your career and pretend they’re real charming. Ofcourse, candidates get charmed and ask for the web ID to understand what the company does. The HR provides the web ID. The candidate visits and is real charmed by the text, colors, the Flash constructed sequences. The idea forms in the head that if he or she were to be hitched with this company, he or she could survive well for a few years.

Ofcourse, I don’t say that the website is the only thing to blame but its one of it. And I don’t say candidates don’t have a head to guess whether they’re headed for the skies or a huge dirt bag.
But the website does play a role.

When I got the call I asked for the website address. Visited it and thought that this was so classy and so amazing and they were into CARGO and CHARTER AIRLINES and TRAVEL. Huge money, huge business and great salary. The office I visited was world class, totally European in design and each employee workstation was furnished with the best of furniture. Women and Men walked about in elegant business suits, as was the official clothing of the office. No arguments on the salary I demanded. Polite interviewer. Warm employees. Brilliant interview from company’s side and mine. I was explained the nature of their business on the first visit. The way it was spelled to me, I saw the “you’re getting the job” signal between every sentence.

My job went excellent. I was recruitment officer for a group of companies. I performed recruitment for their Airlines, European Office Furniture Company, Chinese home furiture company and Interior Design Consultancy. I placed 5 to 6 candidates in a month in every company. Partly because of new requirements of a company increasing in size and partly because of employee turnover. I was happy with my job, salary, employees, work conditions, everything. Until, the HR Manager went for her vacation.

Find out what happened while the HR Manager was away in my next post.

I’m back! August 8, 2008

Lost all of the sleepiness, when does one ever get enough sleep in Dubai, that’s something I can answer easily now.

Okay, between July 20th and this day, a lot has happened.

I’ve made a huge transition. From Workaholic HR Professional (who’s always yearning sleep) to a bored wife at home (for whom sleep is available -ALL DAY)

About how this happened, you’ll read in my next bitchy post.’

I’m in between being so pissed off and ecstatic about whatever happened. And in this mixed state of mind I’m gonna spill the truth about why on earth are some company websites just a friggin facade.

Why I think Company Websites are a Facade. July 20, 2008

Doesn’t one single soul in this world sometimes doubt the fancy website a potenial employer has developed to market his company?

What I mean is this – The company may be a shipping company with world class liners advertised. The colors used on the company website may be superbly co-ordinated. The theme and layout of the website may be dazzling and the text may be so enticingly arranged it may give us the impression “If God granted me the wish of choosing the best company in the world, this would be it.”

Only an employee from within that company would know that one of the ships has sunk in the Pacific, one of the ships has been mortgaged to help cover losses and the other ship the ‘news’ talks about, doesn’t exist.

I’m sure there are many. All those who fall in the category of many may leave comments. (Ok, I love comments. Good or Bad. Sad problem is my blog is not so famous. That’s okay. And not the real issue.) Those who defend the website as the raspberry cream which makes the cheese cake so alluringly delicious, may also leave comments.

I’m so tired right now, that I’ll fall asleep. The sixteen or eighteen visitors on my page in the next 10 – 15 hours may leave their opinions. It’s nice to know what people think.

I’ll be writing much more on this once I recover from sleepiness.
Good night!

Moonlighting In Dubai July 19, 2008

Weren’t we all just waiting for this issue to be discussed in the open? I think taking on two jobs or free lance jobs in Dubai should be made legal and employers should rethink this before adding the clause of “not engaging in another job, whatsoever” to the contract.

I understand that there are company secrets which companies would want to be kept as secret. Here, questions of trust in employees, come in. But working in an organization is a relationship. And relationships require trust to build and remain. And though reality says that there are employees who could risk the company, so understandably they have a right to protect themselves.

Why not insert a clause that says employees have a right to take on a freelance or 2nd job, while being confined to secrecy by 1st employer and incase of incriminating proof that they employee is risking the company, the employee will stand the risk of being terminated with immediate effect, after which the company can take legal action against the employee.

Ofcourse, this is just my opinion.

______________________________________________________

Many Dubai residents moonlighting for that extra cash

By Fatma Salem, Staff Reporter Published: July 18, 2008, 23:16

Dubai: Many people have resorted to moonlighting to pay their bills as galloping inflation and hike in prices of essentials are hitting the pocket hard. There is a wide range of professionals working in other jobs, from watchmen to media persons who have taken up jobs for a decent living.

Jeena Deep, a 32-year old Lebanese, said she moonlighted before she got married. “After marriage I found it difficult to manage my two jobs and work,” she said.
But she said her husband moonlights, besides running his own small business. “Living in Dubai costs us a fortune. And we are used a certain standard of living,” she said.

A human resources manager said while there are legal implications for moonlighting, he was totally for it. “It is an international phenomenon. Everywhere you will find people doing so. I totally support it,” said Ebrahim M. H. Abdullah, director, Human Capital, Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority. “Time is spent usefully and people can gain knowledge [by working at a second job],” he said.

A 28-year-old Emirati woman said she wasted four years of her life working at a single job which she did not like. “To be honest my salary wasn’t that attractive. It wasn’t even enough to settle my monthly bills,” said Maha.O Al Shamsi. “I decided to work at a second job. It was not easy to leave home early in the morning and return home at 10:30 every night, but I had no other choice,” she said. “I have big dreams and I am determined to pursue them. I am doing the best I can,” said Al Shamsi.

Businessman Jim Robinson, 38, said working at two jobs was ‘miserable’. “I was like a machine programmed to work all day. I had no time for fun or to relax. I was making good money at the two jobs, but I became a mental and physical wreck. Eventually, I saved enough money, dumped both the jobs and started my own business.”

Syrian Basil Khayat, 23, feels that life in Dubai is very demanding. “I have just got my degree and recently got a good job. But I have many obligations. I don’t want to sound greedy, but I need to improve my current financial situation,” he said. The expatriate said moonlighting will encroach on his time with his family and friends.

A mediaperson who did not wish to be identified, said there are many opportunities for journalists and writers to make some extra money. “I write puff pieces [public relation material] for companies when I get home. It doesn’t take much time. Everyone I know does it,” he said.

The director of the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority said according to the law a second job is permitted on the condition that the first employer gives an approval. “If the approval is given there won’t be any legal hurdle”. But many employers put a clause in the contract that the employee should not do a second job.

Do you work or know someone who works at two jobs? Is your salary sufficient to pay the bills? Should moonlighting be made legal? Tell letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.

Company Disection. June 22, 2008

My manager is back. I am thrilled. Not because I won’t have much to do but because I have 3 seconds of time in a minute especially to breathe.

 

Today I’m literally doing a little bit.

And I’m allowing myself the pleasure of feeling sleepy and letting my eyes droop as I yawn deservingly all day…

 

Who would be so happy when the boss returns? Not a mouse. Not me.

 

Today we discussed appraisal letters in the pantry.

I thought aloud that one of our most hard working and smart employees must get an appraisal letter that says this as bottom line, “You are performing well, but right now we need you to over perform.”

 

As for me, this is what the bottom line of an appraisal letter addressed to me (after my manager’s return) would say. “We know you are still insane, and that you are putting so much in that you’re losing it, but right now we require you to be a better lunatic.”

 

Moral of Story: Company is Inconsiderate!

The Resume June 14, 2008

With this post, I just wish to let people know that it would be so much wiser if they treated their CV’s with more respect.

This is what happens from the recruiters point of view:

The recruiter advertises vacancies based on the requirements in the organization. Sometimes the recruiter advertises a vacancy based on a forecast, for example, the financial department within FGH organization may be complete but due to the ever increasing size of the company and extra pressure on the finance department, they might need to bifurcate the accountants responsibilities. Mr. A who’s handling all accounting procedures independently upto finalization may be promoted to a senior accountant position and the company will require to add a separate payroll accountant, accountant (Payables), accountant (Recievables).

The ad is placed in various newspapers, classifieds, over the internet, on company website…

People begin applying.

And this is how CV’s roll in.

Mr. Miguel Cruz sends his resume thrice. For the position of A/c Payable, A/c Recievable, A/c Payroll. What is Mr. Cruz qualified for? For the position of a cashier and nothing else.
So guys don’t send your CV in application for a position you are not qualified for. Most certainly, all recruiters mention their priorities for shortlisting candidates or necessary qualifications.

Ms. Fatima Sheikh knows she qualifies, she wonders why she hasn’t been called, she sends her resume everyday for the next ten days. Guys, the recruiter knows what is to be looked for in the potential candidate. If you believe you are a potential candidate, send your CV once, if you don’t get a call, you can write in a polite email requesting the status of your application. If you still don’t get a call, try elsewhere and keep trying. If you’re looking for the right job, you’ll find one, if not immediately, within twenty days to a month. If not a month, then may be two… I know some people who’ve found their right jobs after three months of looking in every nook and corner and even proactively going from office to office distributing hard copies of their CVs. – P.S. Some recruiters get so pissed off with these kind of candidates, they include the applicant in the SPAM list.

Another thing which comes to mind is naming the CV. It’s your professional agenda. You type every bit of it painstakingly, wishing your CV stands out amongst others and that it conveys the best of you. And then you go on to commit the worst mistake. If your name is Dilshad, you’ll save your CV as “DillusCV.doc” and send it to recruiters in this form. What does “DillusCV.doc” say about your professional background. Zilch. Recruites recieve CVs named cv.doc ; cv1.doc ; resume.doc ; resume ali abdallah.rtf … and they don’t much like opening these CVs unless the subject mentions the position they are applying for.

When applicants send their CVs, this is a tad bit like what the subject looks like :
“Romilo Javier I’m looking for a job.”
“My Resume”
“My CV”
“Please see my CV” (and the message section says, “Thank You”) etc.

Guys when you apply for a job atleast name your CV right. Something like this would work wonders for you and the recruiter is most likely going to keep your CV for another day even if you don’t qualify for a position you have applied for. i.e. Your CV will be saved from the Deleted Items.

e.g. for naming your CV – Profession – Years of Experience – Name – Nationality
eg. “Marketing Executive-3yrs-Susan Smith-Polish”

And include your current company name in concise cover letter of about four lines.

This, I believe, would help you get a better job, quicker, and ofcourse, you can avoid being a pain to the recruiter who will most likely not hit the “Marked as Spam” button when your CV arrives. And remember to treat your CV’s with a little more respect.

Been Long Gone .. rite? June 11, 2008

It’s already mid June and I’ve een long gone from the blogging scene. And really how on earth would I be active? Let me clear..

My manager went off on her vacation. I am acting HR Manager as of now. I’m answerable to CEO, Vice President, Flight Ops Director, Marketing Manager, Admin Officer, Drivers, Crew, Pilots, pissed off employees….

… and I’m enjoying it.

But its not giving me time to do anything… even breathe. Plus I have driving classes… and that demands two hours of time on Mondays and Wednesdays.

I have to take care of all HR issues and even do all the recruitment myself. There’s another issue I have to face everyday. My company pays lousy salaries to 80 percentof its employees.

The personal assistant though gets salary upgrades every 6 months. I’ve realised that they give good salaries to only those employees they think perform the most important jobs. The Uzbek accountant who doesn’t do anything else for the company besides showing up in new clothes bought from Bur Juman everyday gets AED 10,000. She can’t compute salaries right. She can’t calculate gratuity right. So I do this job for her. AND The Driver who is so crucial to our company operations gets a measly 2200 AED. Pilots get a fat salary and fancy accommodations and transportation. The Ground Operations Officers who are responsible to get a plane ready to fly – they get AED 5000. Nevermind, I’m quite happy that those who’ve left my company and gone to good aviation companies like Emirates, are getting triple their past salaries.

People are resigning from my company left – right – center. Sometimes I have to fire people. This is the most painful job. Their departments decide to have them fired and HR does the dirty job. And HR gets hated for it.

It’s tremendous pressure and I love it, and I hate it even more when I see the dark side. In this position, I have the chance to see how management uses its most prized possessions, its employees.

Well, I’ve written a long cribby post, but I feel like sharing the truth about some aspect of my life cause may be someone may relate to it and feel that this could be the very thing going in their own companies.

And then I have to hear from the employees everytime…. the HR Department in our company just sleeps…………. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

A Letter to The HR May 25, 2008

For the best salary review ever you can visit this link.

Download the original and then use it.

Review: April 2008 Ends May 3, 2008

April!! Whew what a month! The sun finally started glaring like its normal self. Its been two months since I enrolled for the driving lessons but so far…. no call. I called EDI once, they told me it would take another 15 days… 15 days were over long back.

I think I’ll have to call again.

Bout my hubby – This is news. News. NEWS. N-E-W-S! He finally changed his job successfully. His previous company Al Nekreh Contracting was making trouble for him but I guess God was on his side. Now Iqbal is in Limitless. And its my big fat dream come true. So far he’s liking his job, his colleagues, his management and I drill him with questions daily about what he did and what he spoke and which new person he was introduced to…. etc. etc.

Its so much fun when I finally see his happy face every evening.

We went to so many places. Saw Dubai Outlet Mall on Al Ain road and because Iqbal was there…….. I got to buy just one top from Esprit. Hmmmph!

We didn’t fight one bit. But we constantly argue like grannies. And sometimes it gets to the hair but otherwise its fun.
As usual we ate alot. And I’ve become fat. 51 kgs. In my life, that’s fat. In my hubby’s dictionary – 51 kgs means elephant.

CAR- LIFTS – Hmmm, yes they are a big pain in the teeth! (I figure thats the worst pain). Since Iqbal got it in Limitless, I’m at my own mercy. So for the first few days I crossed the colossal structure of a bridge, went over to the side of Dubai and crossed the sandlot. After crossing the sandlot, I walked to the bus stop at Sahara Centre and waited for a bus. I’d take the 13A to Al Bustan Splash, get off there, cross the road and catch a cab to DAFZA. I walked this way for 4 days and after I’d paid some kind of penance, someone referred me to a Mr. Shah who passes by DAFZA every morning on his way to work. I contacted him and he agreed to take me. It’s been since May 01, that I’m going to office with him. I reach in time. It fits! I’m blessed!

I know I’ve not written about work in the last month and I won’t make a separate post for that anymore.

I’m at my job 5 months later and it is goin’ great! I was pissed off for sometime because my HR Manager didn’t do my appraisal. A core HR function. She forgot to even mention to me about salary increase as promised before I joined. I rather got the impression she was avoiding it – which was quite ironic. I brought up the topic and THEN she told me they wouldn’t be increasing my salary by a thousand because my CEO was not happy with the way things were working and etc… – I didn’t believe her because in my company, it’s only line manager’s who are responsibile for such decisions. Anyway, aside from the money bit, I’m quite happy at my job and the exposure it is enlightening me with. Plus, this is just my beginning.

Anyways, my job has taught me to be a different person. More accommodating. More flexible with ideas. Its taught me to be less tactless and more diplomatic. More understanding of other people. It’s taught me what my mom always tried to drill into my head “You can win the world with a smile.” I’ve learned to really be interested in people, and really listen, and really care.

It’s fun eating lunch with a pantry full of our employees. Laughing away one hour.

I’m throwing parties and going shopping for birthday gifts for all employees and it is the 4th of May 2008 that I write this post and I’m thinking of all the shopping for birthday gifts that I shall do next week….

………… before I get lost in thought, I’ll just go ahead an publish!