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Post by Lulu22 on May 1, 2012 11:45:41 GMT
Me again! Thanks so much to those who have been active in helping us get an impression of Abqaiq. Without this forum, we would be lost...
We have decided to accept the accommodation in Abqaiq, and are even feeling enthusiastic about the move. At the moment, we are considering the offered compensation.
1. Is the percent 'merit increase' the usual annual increase one could expect? In other words, is this number more or less realistic, or have people noticed that it varies significantly?
2. Are there other opportunities for salary bumps, and how 'rare' might this be for a European?
3. Would a significant anaual salary increase (>10%) and 'Excellent' performance review which occurred between the interview (original paysstub presented) and offer be worth mentioning to HR? We are quite happy with the original offer, but is does not reflect this change...
4. I noticed in a former post that job le and salary grade are intrinsically linked. Does this mean that one needs an official promotion to jump salary grades, or does this sort of happen automatically over time?
Thanks!!
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Post by azraeil on May 2, 2012 4:48:15 GMT
1. Merit increase is given annually if the person receives a performance rating of M (Meets Requirement) and above. Currently you'd be looking at a 3.5-8% increase depending on your performance.
2. There are no other opportunities for Salary bumps other than the merit increase and promotion
3. Doesn't hurt to inform HR about your "Excellent" performance review BUT, unless you have received a new higher salary based on the performance review, it's going to be difficult to persuade Aramco to change the current offer.
4. Yes, usually Job le and Salary Grade are intrinsically linked. You almost never get a job led (i.e. from a Geologist 2 to a Geologist 1) without a corresponding salary grade increase.
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Post by GroveWanderer on May 2, 2012 5:38:33 GMT
I think azraeil already answered your questions fairly succinctly but just to expand on the last one, yes you do need an official promotion to go up a grade code (while remaining within the same dept) so no, this does not happen automatically over time.
I suppose another way to get a grade increase might be to switch jobs to a new dept where the new job is a higher grade code but that is probably at least as tricky a process as getting a promotion.
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Post by Twofeets on May 2, 2012 14:16:27 GMT
Im not sure about Europe, but in the US salary raises are pretty much linked to promotions. Most are lucky to get a cost of living raise each year, so the only real way to increase your income is to promote.
Here that can be difficult. The company is changing, becoming more and more Saudi controlled, and at least in our department that means most of the higher up spots are slowing going to Saudis.
Luckily, unlike the US, the raises here within your grade code tend to be decent. An 'M' (which is avee) for my colleagues last year was about 4.5%, and this year they are expecting around 5%. Those who rated higher may be seeing up to 10%, which is almost unheard of back home without promotion.
I should point out however that your raise isnt just tied to your PMP evaluation, its also tied to your pay ranking within your grade code. The closer you get to the top, the less % you will actually get, even with the same ranking. Also, just because most positions seem to be going to Saudis, there are still promotional opportunities available in some departments.
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Post by gareth0127 on May 2, 2012 15:41:05 GMT
3. Would a significant anaual salary increase (>10%) and 'Excellent' performance review which occurred between the interview (original paysstub presented) and offer be worth mentioning to HR? We are quite happy with the original offer, but is does not reflect this change...
This happened to me after I had received my original offer, so I contacted aramco and sent them the documentation. Shortly afterwards a received a new offer with a really good increase.
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Post by powereng on May 2, 2012 21:56:45 GMT
Hi gareth0127,
I am in a similar situation. I have received a salary raise as well.
Can you please share with us what stage you were in when you contacted Aramco with your revised salary pay stubs (i.e BI/Medical/Relocation)? And did you email the recruiter directly or somebody else with the revised salary information?
Thanks,
powereng
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Post by vpainter on May 2, 2012 21:59:16 GMT
Searching in the forum would show you quite a few people end up with raises in their present jobs prior to starting work with Aramco, some are in the process of medical, BI, etc, and they each one wrote a letter explaining the increase and included a new pay stub. Most respond in the forum, they received an increase in the salary offered.
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Post by powereng on May 3, 2012 0:22:55 GMT
Thanks for the quick response vpainter.
Actually I did search the forums and wanted some more info as I just started the VISA stage now so I do not know whether I should contact the original recruiter or relocation advisor. I am assuming contacting the recruiter would be the way to go although I have not been in touch with the recruiter for a while. What do you think?
Thanks
powereng
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Post by sagi03amit on May 3, 2012 10:59:17 GMT
I'm a chemical engineer from India..doing my masters from IIT..one month back i had a interview for Petroleum engg division of Saudi Aramco..i did well..and about 15 days ago i got the verbal confirmation from my contact that am selected...so is any one out there who can help me, i want to know how much time will it take to get the final offer letter...and what will be the expected initial salary...and normally how much time it will take to give the joining date...i will be very happy if anyone give me the response...waiting!
Well i will be completing my masters this month only..so there won't be any issue about joining from my side.
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Post by vpainter on May 3, 2012 16:06:03 GMT
powereng, yes I'd send it to your recruiter.
sagi03amit, please look at this discussion group under New Hires, it is a collection of people's experience regarding the timeline from interview to arrival.
TIMELINE - HOUSTON ASC INTERVIEWS FEB 2012
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Post by buzzed1 on May 11, 2012 11:00:08 GMT
Okay, my question is about getting paid overtime. What do people know about expats getting paid overtime when working off the clock? Does such a thing as overtime pay exist for expats or is that something only the Saudis get?
I worked this past weekend on a work-related project and was told by my supervisor that:
1. I should put in a request to work off the clock and
2. I don't qualify for overtime pay.
So what's the real story here? Why wouldn't I qualify to get paid if I work on a weekend?
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Post by GroveWanderer on May 11, 2012 13:34:18 GMT
Overtime pay does not depend on nationality, it depends on overtime class.
The only employees who regularly get paid overtime are those in Overtime Class I, which are normally GC10 and below.
As per the IR Manual:
Anyone who is GC11+ is not normally eligible for overtime, since they are almost always classified as being in Overtime Class II.
Once again, as per the IR Manual:
GC 11+ employees can be re-assigned to Overtime Class III where they would be eligible for overtime pay, but only if specific conditions are met and normally only temporarily, with differing levels of approval required, depending on the length of time.
Even if you are in Overtime Class III, for overtime to be paid, it must be scheduled and approved in advance.
Assuming you are GC 11 or above, the reason why you would not get paid for working on the weekend is as per the last sentence in the Overtime Class II definition given above.
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Post by buzzed1 on May 14, 2012 2:41:37 GMT
Thank you GroveWanderer,
I just wish my Saudi supervisor would have told me that instead of just saying in an email I wasn't authorized. I guess I was more upset about that. We western ex-pats are used to receiving a reason when told "no". I've been here two months. I guess it's one of those quirks of Saudi management I'll need to get used to.
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