derien | ExpatWoman.com
 

derien

derien
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 10:59
So how are those building owners that have gone out of business or are broke going to react to this? LOL.
derien
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 10:46
as i said earlier, the movie " Bridesmaids" ..........:) That is one of my favourite movies! So funny!!
derien
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 10:45
why can't your DH just get an agency maid in for a couple of hours a day while he is at work?
derien
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 09:48
The south of France can get very busy in July and August, especially August as most of the Parisians head down there for their annual holidays. If you don't want the hustle and bustle of the Cote d'Azur, then you should maybe rent a property 40 minutes inland in a little village somewhere. There are plenty of little "coins" where you can get away from it all. I will try to come up with some ideas for you.
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 15:09
Yes seriously!!!! She is nearly 6 and just started school in January for the first time. In Australia they start KG1 at 6 years old. Not 3. So she is behind and the teacher has asked me to do it and my daughter wants to because she feels left behind. They start KG1 at 6 in Australia? How is that possible? you can start your child into KG! at 4 if he/she turns 5 before july... my daughter turned 5 after july therefore i had to wait til this year to enrol her into KG1 which meant she would turn 6 during the year. it is compulsory to start kids at 6 years old of course. I had her enrolled to start a new year at KG1 in Australia which would begin in January this year. But we moved here in January so when we enrolled her into school, they put her straight to KG2 because she was turning 6 this year. And it was already half way through the semester. So now she will be in Grade 1 next Semester. Which is why I wanted tutoring for her to catch up and feel confident with the other students Does that make sense? My other daughter who turns 5 at the end of the year is in KG1 here in Dubai, where as if we were still in Australia she would have to wait til 2013 to go to school. Yep. that makes sense. I think the tutoring would be a good idea then. Perhaps you could ask the teacher if she could recommend someone?
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 15:00
I think I know which bank you are talking about.
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 14:58
It is wrong. Tell the "person" who you are dealing with that you want a formal letter and statement on bank letterhead signed by the Head of the branch before you will take it seriously. Tell them that you will be involving the police for good measure and see how she reacts., She could be lining her pockets on this scam.
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 14:45
Which bank is it?
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 14:39
Have you actually called one of them to ask why they have cut you out? Did you do something maybe?
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 14:28
Call the Police. It's a scam
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 14:19
I get stared at all the time here and it drives me insane. I have red hair and freckles and I hate to say it but it is mostly non westerners who also stare at me. I have been followed around a supermarket by an arabic woman and her husband and even had an Emirati come up to me and ask me if I was dying due to my freckles, like I have some contagious disease! I can't stand being stared at. I find it rude and disrespectful. There are some places I just don't go now to aviod the looks and stares. It does make me feel very uncomfortable. edited by sirenbritbabe on 12/03/2012 That's because some people are told that freckles are a sign of disease that's caused by eating too much p0rk!!!! I have heard the same things from some of my friends with regards to comments made by taxi drivers. Really? OMG. That's true? Wow.... the ignorance that still exists in this world
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 14:06
Yes seriously!!!! She is nearly 6 and just started school in January for the first time. In Australia they start KG1 at 6 years old. Not 3. So she is behind and the teacher has asked me to do it and my daughter wants to because she feels left behind. They start KG1 at 6 in Australia? How is that possible?
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 14:03
We were French speaking in the house before starting them at TCG. We started them at Nursery level ( 3 years old) I would like to say however that the kids really understood French very well at home but only really started to speak well after sending them to TCG. My belief is that children feel more compelled to speak the language if they have other role models or children around to speak it. As for the cut-off dates, I am not sure for the French schools. You would have to ask them. edited by derien on 12/03/2012 Thank you derien, for all your comments. Our ultimate goal is to go back to France, but who knows, we left France in 2005 and moved 3 different countries since, it is quite difficult to make a plan to be honest. Does the IB school have both curriculum? Is there a school that does both ENG/French curriculum? Unfortunately, the IB doesn't have both. There are study groups set up by French parents though.
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 13:49
We were French speaking in the house before starting them at TCG. We started them at Nursery level ( 3 years old) I would like to say however that the kids really understood French very well at home but only really started to speak well after sending them to TCG. My belief is that children feel more compelled to speak the language if they have other role models or children around to speak it. As for the cut-off dates, I am not sure for the French schools. You would have to ask them. <em>edited by derien on 12/03/2012</em>
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 13:45
Wow. It does make me feel better knowing I'm not the only person in Dubai who goes through this! I started to get very self concious about it all after all the many times this has happened. My other half just tells me to ignore it but its so hard to just do this. I will remember this thread the next time this happens to me. Many thanks ladies Siren x xxx :)
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 13:28
THEY ARE RUDE. there are red headed arabs, mainly from syria, who do get freckles....there are challenged people in every culture. and yes its totally rude in arabic culture to stare AT [b'>anybody[/b'>. PMFP!!!! red heads with freckles are classed as challenged? LOL. Should get the stakes out and light the fire?
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 13:12
I totally agree. Like I said it happens all the time. I remember once I went to Roots in Al Barsha. I was being washed by a filipino woman who asked " what is this" (pointing to my freckles on my arms) I explained they were freckles and caused by the melatoin in my skin reacting to the sun to which she replied 'Me no like!" (stabbing her finger into my arm every time she went for a freckle!) Needless to say I never went back or tipped her! edited by sirenbritbabe on 12/03/2012 I would have done more than that! Seriously, have some of these ladies looked in the mirror lately? How rude of her!!!!
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 13:09
Both my children went to Children's Garden and both are bi-lingual. My DH and I are both from the International Shools and we are also FR/ENG bilingual. If your ultimate goal is to return to France, then I would stick with the French system. However, after KG2, we chose the IB currilcum for both our kids in English as I feel that English is more important than French these days, especially if your next move is not France but Singapore etc... We have a French lady 3 times a week to keep up the French and we also speak French at home now. The only thing you need to be aware of is that TCG is a Taleem shcool and they have January to December cut-off dates. MOST schools in Dubai ( including IB schools) have a September cut-off date policy. Also not great if your kids are born in Janaury. See here for more details : http://www.taaleem.ae/admissions/stages-and-grades.html
derien
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Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 08:32
I wish I could say something more comforting but there are many people losing their jobs at the moment. I think someone posted something on here about it the other day and I had quite a positive take on it. However, since that post, I have found out that 2 of DH's friends are being made redundant. So it is quite common these days. Hang in there and something will come up. Good luck
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Latest post on 11 March 2012 - 16:16
Give it time. Take the kids out of the house and let your DH spend some time with his Mum. Honestly, I can see where you are coming from as I have a very bad relationship with my MIL but she did just lose a husband and is grieving. Your Dh will respect and love you more if you offer support rather than moan
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Latest post on 11 March 2012 - 10:06
Really?? He's ginger and his eyes are way too close together!!! LOL!!!! Harsh
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 14:51
Good luck and have a nice holiday. xxx
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 13:45
TIA <em>edited by derien on 14/03/2012</em>
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 12:18
Hints are a waste of time. I write a list of what I want, like murrtje, in different price levels. Still waiting on the Aston... BUT.....DH came up with a corker for my birthday this year without asking me what I wanted. We have two kids; the 4 of us is our complete family. At his suggestion I had a ring made with the birthstones of all 4 of us. I chose the design myself and had it made - it's beautiful (shameless plug for Julie at Clarity there). Top marks for him there :) Wow!!! Nice
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 12:07
Hi derien, We already know where we'd like to move so can leave as soon as we can find someone to live in our house. There is a maid's room outside and a front and back garden too. Cheers Hi we are looking to move Mid May. Is that too late?
derien
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 11:49
What is the timing? Is there a maid's room?
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 11:38
Just tied called the DSO Authority three times. 1st Attempt Me: Hello, could you kindly transfer me to your Visa/Employment Section? Receptionist: Wait.... Doesn't put me on hold and continues her conversation in tagalog for 2 minutes before picking up the phone again. How can I help you? Me. Your Employment/Visa section please? Her: Wrong number. Call this number xxxxxxx 2nd attempt Me. Dial number Him : Good morning, Leighton Habtoor Group Me: I think I have the wrong number .grrrrrrrrr 3rd Attempt Me. Dial another number from the DSO website Them. Message/ answering machine.... Sorry we can't take your call. Our business hours are between 8.30 and 2pm!!! Me: under my breath.... It's 11.37!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF?
derien
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:58
It could be costly for him* and most companies will drag it on and on, so that you have to give up as you need new employment which you cannot get until you sign for your dues etc from previous employer.... ETA * edited by Al Quwatain on 08/03/2012 This is what I am saying - do you guys think a labour lawyer works for free - the OP can't cover her daughter's medication, they are on the financial breadline. Sometimes sh*t happens, you have to react in a rational manner - revenge or justice in cases like these is not worth the price it will cost you. Well in that case, the OP's DH should try and mediate a solution using the Free Zone Authority. That would not cost much
derien
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:56
Warm milk in the bed and tell her a nice story that make her happy and nighty nighty with the dreams :) Anouja, warm milk at night is really bad for kids teeth. It's full of suger. Sorry, but I have seen the effects on children whose parents did this.
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:55
. They have nothing to lose It could be costly for him* and most companies will drag it on and on, so that you have to give up as you need new employment which you cannot get until you sign for your dues etc from previous employer.... ETA * edited by Al Quwatain on 08/03/2012 Not really. In Free Zones, these things can be dealt with swiftly. I am in DIFC and have had " ahem" a few issues in my time. The employee has always won!
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:52
This thread is making me FURIOUS. Please keep us updated Keno. xxx Umm, you should be helping her calm down :-P I know!!!! But I wasn't expecting this twist. I have been in HR for 12 years and I have never seen this happen in our company. Do you have any creative ideas as to how Keno's husband should handle it? Does "gardening leave" imply that he is going of his own accord? If they've confiscated his laptop and mobile, that would imply they're sacking him, wouldn't it? Yes, a walk out would indicate that they have officially sacked him with cause but I don't think that\s the case. Keno - Has he received a termination letter? My advice to Keno's DH is to get to a proper Employment Lawyer ASAP. They will tell him how to handle it.
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:48
This might sound daft, but having something other than the loss of their baby to focus on and get their teeth into might perhaps help them, in a way? (You can tell I'm no psychologist, but an expert in displacement activity :( ) Yes, very true. I think they should fight this. They have nothing to lose
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:45
This thread is making me FURIOUS. Please keep us updated Keno. xxx Umm, you should be helping her calm down :-P I know!!!! But I wasn't expecting this twist. I have been in HR for 12 years and I have never seen this happen in our company.
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:42
This thread is making me FURIOUS. Please keep us updated Keno. xxx <em>edited by derien on 08/03/2012</em>
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:41
Did he get a termination letter before they walked him out?
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:08
Keno said her husband worked at DSO Free Zone. Does that make a difference to what all of you who have been giving advice have said - for example, Ebright80? The way they were rushing to have him resigns seems that this does not make any difference. Keno needs to seek a lawyer asap. It's a game of nerves now, husband should stay there and fight that he is well performing until they terminate him. Most importantly he should not agree to sign any documents stating that he is underperforming. Also, missing work for more than 7 consecutive days will make him lose his end of benefits package. I hope Keno can get this information to him in time, though it sounds as if he had a sensible plan for today, anyway. Keno and her husband should calculate every move they make. Husband need to take a couple of sick days and come back fresh next week. he needs to see a doctor and get a proper letter. The sick days will be paid by the employer and will give him enough time to think/consult etc edited by Ebright80 on 08/03/2012 As well as edging him a couple of days closer to the 2 year mark, if they fire him! Yep, buying time is good. <em>edited by derien on 08/03/2012</em>
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:06
I'm feeding all of your advice to him as it comes to hand. Whatever you do, tell your DH to stay calm and keep his cards close to his chest.
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 10:03
Keno said her husband worked at DSO Free Zone. Does that make a difference to what all of you who have been giving advice have said - for example, Ebright80? Well, I am not sure for DSO Free Zone but breach of employment laws are taken VERY seriously in DIFC and Media City. Might be worth asking if DSO has a legal counsel on staff? Interesting, and I do hope helpful for Keno and her husband. I'm trembling with fury at the fake concern immediately followed by "you're resigning". It's disgusting ! So many employers get away with behavour like that, unfortunately.
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 09:52
Keno said her husband worked at DSO Free Zone. Does that make a difference to what all of you who have been giving advice have said - for example, Ebright80? Well, I am not sure for DSO Free Zone but breach of employment laws are taken VERY seriously in DIFC and Media City. Might be worth asking if DSO has a legal counsel on staff?
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 09:42
Keno, where is your Dh based? in a Freezone?
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 09:27
Hi Sizzles I would want to help too. I understand that by writing your name he was doing something wrong, but I can't help but feel that in this country if you don't have a job and visa you can't stay here. Also by refusing to sign you don't know what threats or penalties this company would place on this young man. Yes we do make mistakes when we are young but prison and deportation are too big a price to pay. By being deported it takes away any chance for him to get another job and be with his family. And the issue of the company, if they are still trading while their license has been revoked there is nothing stopping them from hiring another person and exploiting them. edited by starsouthern on 08/03/2012 So what you are saying is that its OK for someone poor to break the law? really?? oh, it's not just breaking the law, its fraud!! edited by angelinaballerina on 08/03/2012 This is why customer service here is so poor and we have so many frustrations - when you have the chance to do something about it, you get all emotional about it and in return, these guys end up being the ones in charge one day. Yes, very true
derien
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 09:17
Breathe........ :) It's any wonder how these people get jobs!!!
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 09:09
Not so much your routines, but more rules when they are trying every delay tactic in the book! Surely I can't do timeouts at that stage? What do I do when she doesn't want to stay on the bed and doesn't want storytime etc etc. I'm limiting daytime sleeps to 1.5 hrs and not later than 2pm. What's your cut-off time for sugar etc? I'll try an even quieter/calmer lead up to bed but any other ideas would be most welcome x I put my DD in bed with a small light on and let her play ( with a few toys) until she drops asleep. The rule is that if she gets out of bed, the light goes off and I remove the toys. It works for me. <em>edited by derien on 08/03/2012</em>
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 08:42
I think it would be an excellent idea for him to get a labour lawyer pdq! and let his company know that he will not take it laying down. He can take a few days off for sick leave, get a doctors note then he can get alot done. Now if anyone here knows of a good labour lawyer, it would be a good time to put the name and number here. I agree with Sue B and he has such a good case for constructive dismissal as he is coming up two years and he loses out on his shares and EOS. A lawyer would be all over this!
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 08:32
Oh, and other little juicy bit of information. A lot of companies in Dubai escape proper audits. Therefore, many of them do not even carry the liability of End of Service Settlements on their books. They actually dont bother to accrue for the funds . So when employees leave, they don't have the money to pay and therefore find ways not to pay them.
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 08:29
I am aware of how the gratuity works normally but I thought that if you were sacked you lost your gratuity? could be wrong Only if your sacked with cause
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 08:25
I think people are missing the point here. Yes I agree it would be better for him to be made redundant but if he is underperforming (as hinted by the OP as the reason for the company wanting him to resign) then they can sack him which would be 100 times worse for the him and the OP than if he did resign. Not financially. Financially he would be better if was sacked? YES. Could you explain how that works, please? Employees receive 21 days gratuity pay for each year they complete ( full year). If the employee resigns before completing the year, the Employee receives 1/3 of what he is due. Under 99% of Share plans ( which are actually designed to retain employees by locking them into a VESTING PERIOD), if the employee resigns before the shares vest, he forfeits. Simple
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 08:21
Thank you everyone for all of your reponses.. Derien, you are right, he has seen them do this way too many times in his almost two years there. He has been told to make staff resign for the same reason but he said no, the correct performance process has to be followed. They have no morals and ethics, he even had to ask his manager to complete his performance review last year because he was just going to ignore it! I guess there's also the option to negotiate benefits if he resigns, correct? Will update later as typing is bound to be terrible as I'm on the iPhone. I would threaten them with legal action. Even in the UAE, it;s amazing what a letter from a lawyer can do. He cannot resign, he will lose in court. They must offer him a redundancy package.
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 08:17
I think people are missing the point here. Yes I agree it would be better for him to be made redundant but if he is underperforming (as hinted by the OP as the reason for the company wanting him to resign) then they can sack him which would be 100 times worse for the him and the OP than if he did resign. Not financially. Financially he would be better if was sacked? YES.
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Latest post on 08 March 2012 - 08:12
In the 1990's More like 1980's , No? :)
 
 
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