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Post by erdna_oaoj on Apr 13, 2014 19:48:27 GMT
JeffSteiner,
You're absolutely right, working in the kingdom and Aramco it's not for everybody.
And I agree if vacations/days off, local culture are something that worries somebody when yzing the offer, it's better to think carefully before accepting it.
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cgyguy
Advanced Member
Posts: 90
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Post by cgyguy on Apr 13, 2014 23:24:52 GMT
To the Steiner fellow,
Some of us are just getting to KSA soon, some of us are already there and most of the people that brought up the issue of the vacation days are ahead of your process timeline, and just NOW we are finding out that vacation days are not working days but continuous days, and I'm pretty sure that we all know the differences between our current job or contract and what has been offered to us, it's just that seems important for us (certainly for me) to have all the important things clear before we get there, personally, I'm not complaining, I have my choices, we are not ranting, we want to make sure we know ALL the details before getting in the plane.
That is why I follow this forum and comment when something is new for me, when information that affects me comes to light. I definitely don't make comments, or opinions, here that sound more as a condescending critic than a ways to help my future Aramcon fellows.
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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 13, 2014 23:59:04 GMT
I can definitely sympathize. We sort of misunderstood that vacation thing back in '08.
A quiet note - I wouldn't altogether discount the holiday schedule. Upcoming in the next 4 months I believe are 3-day, 4-day, and 3-day (weekday) holidays with weekends tacked on.
We previously found a lot of cool places to spend those 5-6 day breaks. Airfares around the ME are cheap and travel is easy.
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Post by JeffSteiner on Apr 14, 2014 0:15:49 GMT
OK cgyguy. You are enled to fight for what you want. I choose differently.
FYI - I began the process through a direct solicitation from an Aramco employee on June 27th, 2013. Don't know where you are in the process, but as I have noted here in various posts, ASC have my passport (since 2 February) pending a visa block release. I have thoroughly reviewed all of the options and perquisites presented in the offer, several times. I was "promised" that I would be in KSA before 31 December 2013, then end of Jan this year, then end of Feb, etc. Because of my experience with the process and honest conversations with current expats and ASC employees, I have come to accept that there are some things that are not negotiable.
Obviously, I have offended you; for that, "this Steiner fellow" sincerely apologizes.
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Post by erdna_oaoj on Apr 14, 2014 5:15:47 GMT
cgyguy,
Just a small note about repatriation vacation, from what I know you have to be out of KSA at least 14 days for Iqama and visa renewal.
So be sure that you leave at least 14 vacation days each year for that.
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Post by gareth0127 on Apr 14, 2014 16:32:18 GMT
Another thing you should be aware of regarding vacation is how you are allowed to break up your vacation throughout the year is dependant on your dept.
For example, most people from the UK would be used to taking off days here and there, making a few long weekends etc and maybe having a 2 week holiday pretty much exactly when they want it. Here, some depts. may insist you take off your entire repat in one go, so 6 weeks off. Others may let you split it into 2 or even 3.
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Post by O&GEngg on Apr 14, 2014 17:46:07 GMT
good point gareth0127
I was running a few vacation scenarios this weekend with the wife and from what I could tell the best way to use the majority of our vacation days are to take shorter, more frequent vacations so that we don't end up losing the weekends. To us North American folks this would be more like making your own long weekend by adding a day or two on either end. However, like others have stated this may not be allowed by your own respective departments.
I also have to agree with "this Steiner fellow" (sorry couldn't help it :lol: ) as well. There is definitely a lot more to this opportunity than losing a couple vacation days here or there. I think my wife put it best:
"They want to pay you HOW MUCH?!?!? They want to make it possible for our kids to have some of the best education money can buy for FREE?!?!? They want to help round out our kids by surrounding them with different cultures? They're going to pay us to come home every year?!?!? They want to make it possible for us to see the world? They want to pay you HOW MUCH?!?!?"
The whole vacation thing is just a small blip in the grand scheme of things. Personally, for us it really doesn't affect things a whole lot.
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Post by TexasFamily4 on Apr 14, 2014 18:53:32 GMT
Totally agree with "this Steiner fellow", as well as O&GEngg, in that it's wise to look at the "total rewards package" (to use HR-speak). Admittedly vacation allowance is an important component to many, but it is just one of several components to consider. And for me personally, those non-tangible/non-financial pieces of the "compensation & benefits" are equally, if not more important to me and my family: i.e. better work-life balance & family time than you'll likely find in U.S. companies, strong community-ties & lifelong friendships with other expats, cultural enrichment for the kids/family to live in another country, huge travel opportunities, etc.
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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 14, 2014 18:58:43 GMT
Respectful nod to 'that Steiner fellow' as he did make some good points. :lol:
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Post by vpainter on Apr 21, 2014 21:17:49 GMT
Well said Jeff!
Minimum dates out of kingdom at present is 14 days.
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Post by sh90620 on Apr 28, 2014 18:12:21 GMT
Can anyone please advise when a new employee is eligible to start taking vacations? Is there a probation period after the start date when vacations are now allowed?
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Post by azraeil on Apr 29, 2014 7:42:22 GMT
sh90620,
There is a 3 month probation period and "usually" you are not allowed to take leave during this time. But then again, if your supervisor is okay with you taking leave, then it should be okay. It all depends on the situation you're in.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 30, 2014 14:23:22 GMT
If you started to work for Aramco at the end of one year prior to Jan 1, then you are eligible for a repat allowance paid vacation 1 year from your start date. Sometimes supervisors/ managers will approve you taking it early even though it is not actually earned until the anniversary of your start date.
Those who are hired after Jan 1, they are not elibilbe for a repat paid vacation until the following year when their 1 year anniversary happens.
Even if you cannot have a reapt paid vacation, you can still make trips on your own dime during that period. Many do trips over the long weekends or the holiday time off that occurs around the Eid's.
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Post by Chrismater2000 on May 9, 2014 5:14:41 GMT
Finally I received my offer yesterday. I am surprise that I was interviewed for some different position but I got an offer for totally different position. I do not know what to do know. I asked recruiter to verify if it is a mistake but she confirmed that is not a mistake. I even do not have job description for that job.
In my offer it states that company offers me employment for work at Udhalliyah. What does that mean? Will I be working in Udhalliyah compound or in some oil and gas facility near udiliyah? What they normally mention in offer for work location? do they mentioned specifically the facility/oil & gas plant name or just a compound or area name like Dhahran, ras tanura, abkak, udhalliyah etc..
Can you folks advise please. Thanks,
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Post by erdna_oaoj on May 9, 2014 9:19:05 GMT
Hi,
They always mention the work location the position and the salary code in the offer.
House location is currently not usual due to house shortage.
I have no idea what your position is but there are facilities near Udhalliyah...
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