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sandfly

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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 June 2014 - 16:27
It gets better!! My kids were frequently sick in nursery, and at 6 and 7 are hardly ever off school now (without any air purifiers or anything); I think they've had most of the bugs already. And the kids with the snotty noses were almost always just as infectious the day before, when they were symptom free - it won't make that much difference to your children whether other parents keep them home or not.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 June 2014 - 11:14
Your maid will need to go to the embassy in order to be able to leave the Philippines once she is back; what she needs to take etc. is set out here http://www.polodubai.com/how-to-get-an-oec.html
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 June 2014 - 16:28
Dr Claire at Moorfields is wonderful, but I suspect she is leaving - isn't she married to the British Ambassador, who is moving on? Moorfields has all the associated professionals - orthoptists, opticians, as well as opthalmologists - which was the biggest difference I noticed from the American hospital. It does mean an appointment takes ages but it feels more thorough.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 12:58
Singarosa, I wore what was practically a burkini (rash vest and swim leggings, hate my knees too much to want to do shorts) to aquaventure, as I have Scottish blue skin and every previous trip to a water park have ended up burned - didn't feel self conscious at all, there really are people wearing all sorts, and there are lots of reasons to want to cover up a bit. Enjoy yourself :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 12:53
Emirates Group HQ, PO Box 686, Dubai. But you need to put an addressee, at least a department name, or it will probably disappear into limbo.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 May 2014 - 13:21
there isn't an 'email address of corporate office', there are thousands of people in the corporate office.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2014 - 11:37
The prices on any airline are set by reference to supply and demand - if there is a lot of demand, the prices will be higher. They aren't based on the airline's attitude to people in any particular market, or the airline's perception of its service levels. An airline is a business and like any other business wants to maximise its returns - so it charges what people will pay. If (any) airline was not getting bums on seats because the prices were too high, the prices would come down. so it seems a bit odd to take it personally. If you're right and the prices are too high for the market - they'll drop.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 April 2014 - 10:58
It's not a new thing (in fact would have said it is happening less often, at least with the medication I have to take), nor is it restricted to certain types of medicine. It is very frustrating, obviously, and difficult to see a way round.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 16:40
Some nurses, or one paramedic? It doesn't spread just like the common cold; that is clear even in the extract you posted - SARS spreads like the common cold; MERS (so far) appears to require closer contact. It's a nasty virus but not sure about really scary - yet, anyway.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 April 2014 - 09:32
she had a diagnosed thyroid problem, didn't she? am sure I have read that somewhere (had to give up bf earlier than she wanted because of it...) though not at all sure why I remember it!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 April 2014 - 11:26
I don't think Emirates has moved or is moving; more likely to be another airline. Might be more flights operating from there through May/June because there is a runway closure at DXB. Maybe some have started early.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 31 March 2014 - 13:13
I think holding back can be a bit overrated. Just by holding back your kid a year, you aren't going to make him a brain surgeon! There was a girl in DS's class that was more than a year younger than the other kids - and she was doing just the same as the other kids. There is a schedule for when to send your child to school for a reason. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. it's not about making them a "brain surgeon". it's about how they fit into the year group socially. Boys in particular often suffer when they are the youngest in their year group. It's a fact. Fact? Says who? I know lots of boys who are doing brilliantly even as the youngest in their age group. The plural of anecdote is not data.... Lots of children do brilliantly despite statistically being unlikely to (almost by definition, as doing 'brilliantly' is itself statistically unusual). There are plenty of studies showing that the youngest in a cohort don't do as well as the oldest; [url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/9843971/Summer-born-children-at-bottom-of-the-class-warn-experts-and-parents.html'>link[/url'> - academically - [url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/olympics/18891749'>link[/url'> - and in sports. The studies don't mean nobody will ever succeed as the youngest in a year; obviously. But they do show that relative age makes a difference. I was moved up a year at primary school, I still did well academically, but like kiwispiers' husband and brother, I wouldn't wish the same on my own children.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 March 2014 - 11:22
I have the same frustrations - at 4 classes a week, they should be getting a much better grasp than they are. I also studied at the Arabic Language Centre and thought it was very well done; unfortunately since having children have not had time to keep it up, and it's easily lost. I'm sure I read an article about a programme, or at least a book, developed by a mum that was supposedly more user friendly, but have never been able to find either the book or the article. Will go and look for cds - do you have the name, ING? but would be absolutely delighted if the MoE curriculum could be updated.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 February 2014 - 18:47
Option 1. Car wash would add time, as they presumably couldn't do it while actually servicing the car; which is fine if it's a long service and you have alternative arrangements - but for a short time, being able to get somewhere useful and back again definitely appeals (but then I got my brake pads changed at midnight the other night having given up on finding time to do it in the day... I may not be entirely the typical customer). 2 and 3 both a bit weird.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 February 2014 - 23:33
Oh dear, a few people treat their maids like human beings; of course that ruins things for everyone! If your, or your husband's, employer took the view that 'it is important to...provide them with basic necessities and a salary that is higher than [USD400 a month'> and provide a decent day or two days off....' would you think that reasonable? Some doctors are on better packages than others. So are some teachers. So are some lawyers. (So are some housewives!). You don't need to pay better than the house next door, there are maids who are happy to work for a pittance because it is better than their alternative - but don't begrudge next door's housemaids a bit of a better life than they might otherwise have had.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 February 2014 - 20:52
I sent my frail and elderly mother in law on a 'normal' desert safari (with Gulf Ventures), with my mum; just paid extra for exclusive use of the vehicle, and the driver tailored it to their (well, her) needs - she had a great time. Just remember the car seat :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 February 2014 - 17:21
I was on Epilim (depakote) for a while in Dubai. had rotten side effects thought. Now on lamictal, which agrees with me far better! No idea about buying over the counter, have always had both drugs on prescription. What does sometimes happen though is that the whole country runs out..... my pharmacist has been very good about sharing out limited stocks (though this does mean you have to go back and get the rest once the latest shipment has cleared), ringing round other pharmacies etc, but would advise keeping an emergency back up stash just in case. Good luck.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 January 2014 - 16:15
Nurseries aren't regulated by the KHDA but by someone else - I think the Ministry of Social Affairs? I do have a bit of sympathy for the nursery, chicken pox is very easily transmitted between kids of that age and can be very nasty (just because it often isn't, it's easy to forget how horrible it can be). Also have a lot of sympathy for the mum though..... it's a difficult one
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 January 2014 - 17:59
I don't want to burst your bubble but Emla cream doesn't work :-( really? I had my spinal for my C section without feeling any needles; if it wasn't the Emla they put on, what was it?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 January 2014 - 10:13
corn starch is american for corn flour (UK) - same thing
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2014 - 22:47
I don't see why you need to show your breasts in order to BF - I fed in public, here, and wouldn't have wanted to go and sit in a separate room to do it (possibly except in the very early days when still getting the hang) - I just generally sat in a corner of a coffee shop, facing away from wherever most people were (just in case of a slip - though there never was one that I know of), and managed to feed without it being terribly obvious that more than just a cuddle was going on; certainly without showing skin. You obviously have to dress appropriately for that - either BF tops or loose fitting ones. To me the specific BF covers just draw attention to what you are doing and make it hard, for example, for your baby to look up and see your face. Which was one of the nice bits (awww, good memories!) Anyway, never had any hassle over it - sadly both kids long past that stage now :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 January 2014 - 20:44
I don't think Dubai is a good place for a single parent, comes with too many issues. A single woman though can sponsor a domestic help, single men can't. Your friend won't be able to hire anyone legally full-time, and as the other posters said, just having a lady come in for the times your friend is away, is illegal. The only option for him would be to have a part-time agency maid, but would you leave your child with an agency maid while traveling abroad? I'm going to have to differ with you on that, Maroosh, I definitely find it easier to manage as a single parent here than I would in the UK. It would be very, very difficult to get the support there that I have from my housekeeper here; apart from anything else, the design of the houses here helps. OK, it would be possible to be nearer family but (a) none of my family members live less than 3 hours drive from any other family member, (b) I could not do anything approaching my 'career' job and live anywhere near any of them, and (c) they all have their own lives; even my parents in their 70s are never at home. I do empathise a lot with his issue over the homework, though, that is starting to be an issue for us and I have not figured out what to do about it. Maybe we should create our own area-based single parents' (or working parents') network, and organise after school provision; the overnights etc could be then left to the maid who would be able to contact the other parents in the network in the event of anything arising. That has been the one part where I have had to rely on the friends I have been blessed with here; my housekeeper is amazing but if it were to come to a medical decision, I don't want her taking it, I know some of the random medical ideas she has!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 January 2014 - 17:28
Hello Neamhai/Nobby, what a lovely message :) how is KSA? really glad you won your case I hope 2014 is really good to you xx
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 January 2014 - 18:47
Hello moschino, What sort of a job are you looking for? what experience do you have? Is your spoken English more fluent? you do probably need a job which doesn't involve writing in English, sorry. when you say 'not thinking to go again tomorrow' do you mean you will be going, but you wish you weren't? just not showing up on day 2 isn't a great plan unless it is already agreed with the employer Good luck
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2014 - 22:29
ie varicose veins? are they bothering you or just ugly?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 December 2013 - 13:47
Malcolm Gladwell's books are excellent, and very good at making you rethink assumptions, but he is a journalist and not a scientist, and his books are far from the last word on the relevant science (nor, I think, would he want to claim that they are). I haven't read the latest one, but would just point out for a start that correlation is not causation.... Enjoyed 'Thinking Fast and Slow' too.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 December 2013 - 13:43
Let's face it, Dubai is a career-ender for many women. Great if you're into admin or HR, but for the rest of us, a huge black hole. I've even known lawyers to turn to school administration because there isn't anything else reasonable here. Not necessarily true. I had a career as a PA and Admin Officer back in the UK and I haven't managed to get anything similar out here. I'm now turning to work I did when I left school at 16, just to do something. Opposite for me, i struggled to get my foot in the door as woman with no GCC experience but now that i am in there is a good career track. Plus a woman in oil and gas is a novelty which helps. I dont know how kids will affect this though, i can't see myself back at work in 45days and i certainly wont be getting any additional leave unpaid or otherwise.... Ever since I had kids, I get the "don't your kids miss you?" and "your husband must be very accommodating" line whenever I do any interesting work. As if my husband isn't just as capable as I am of looking after our mutual children. As if it is entirely my responsibility to raise the kids. No one ever says anything to him, even when he is away for months at a time. I'm sorry you have had these experiences. I've been working here for over a decade (not in admin or HR, or a school......) and work with several other professional women, many of whom have children (as do I). I think the difficulty may be moving at a time that is right for someone else's career. I have just recruited a woman whose husband will now be looking for a job in Dubai; it will be interesting to see how that search goes. Who are these people who ask whether your kids miss you etc? I don't get that question.... but sometimes I think I live in a different Dubai from many on here, and certainly from those in the Daily Mail. I had a look round at the last parents' meeting at school and didn't see a single expensive-looking outfit; I know several working mums, and not many people who brunch (which is a little bit of a shame as I quite like the odd brunch...!) nobody has ever asked me questions like whether my kids miss me or commented (when I was married) on my husband being accommodating. I can think of several fathers who have had to, or chosen to, take time off work as a result of childcare issues (and largely seem to have enjoyed it), and other than the gasps and giggles from the housemaids in the compound when one chap did so, haven't heard anyone being surprised.... Is there anyone else out there in my Dubai, or have I gone down a rabbit hole and found myself in a looking glass world...?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 December 2013 - 16:39
I took bubblebums to India, they may not be perfect but they are a lot better than nothing, and they are useful for travelling elsewhere, going in taxis, etc, as well; could be worth looking into unless there really is no chance of persuading your DH.... is he normally this way though? It sounds very controlling for him to be insisting you can't buy something you consider essential for your child's safety.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 November 2013 - 19:00
Bin Sougat centre had loads in a few days ago, mostly in kiosks round the mall.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 16:58
I'm sure Chelsea would have been just fine as Duchess of Somewhere; and I find it hard to imagine that Kate is remotely bothered about who may become her sister in law's half sister; she's not 17. And there are lots of more modern names floating around in the younger generation of the aristocracy; why should the royal family not be allowed to indulge; particularly those who aren't on the family pay roll? Zara was thought to be an outrageous name choice a generation ago; the sky has not fallen in as a result of Zara's presence at the royal table.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 24 September 2013 - 17:11
A friend had similar troubles with the same people. Fortunately she was able to get a court order telling the bank to stop the cheque. Be careful....
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 September 2013 - 22:33
Can't your maid look after your youngster during the few times the nursery is closed??? presumably she doesn't have one? sourskittle, I tried the nursery and no maid route (working full time) and really struggled with it; it is not just the random days when they close (eg extra days at Eid etc) that they don't tell you about; it is also the 'can't go to nursery but not really sick' days (conjunctivitis etc); in the end I gave in and got a live out maid. Life is not really geared up for working mothers without maids here - once the kids are at school, there are no after-school clubs, wraparound care etc as you might find elsewhere.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 July 2013 - 16:21
have had some pretty dubious medical advice even in the UK (including re breastfeeding); and it was a doctor who had previously worked in the UK who told me she couldn't hear my baby's heartbeat 'because the placenta was at the front' when every scan had said otherwise and nobody else had any trouble..... basically I don't think it's an exclusively regional thing; simply that doctors are not divine but as fallible as the next person, and some more fallible than others!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 15:24
It will be hard... I am a single mum living here for 8years. There is no 'cheap" schools here unfortunately. I moved my son from Regent where cost was going up faster than the quality of education. Now he is in Choeuifat which is more than half of the cost i used to pay, BUT it is very difficult to get in there ... Its a wrong image of this school too that mostly 'arabic speaking', well is not! I am very happy with education he is getting there for the price and the day is long, so gives me enough time to work. I can only tell your friend, it is very hard to be a single mum in DXB... Malika, I'm sorry you are finding that. Perhaps it depends where you are comparing to - I'm a single mum too and I think it's much easier here than it would be at home, mainly because of the availability of affordable live in help (and the sort of houses that let you have 'live in' help who can live their own lives when not working - separate entrances being the key, for me!)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 15:00
is there one in uae india or else where that would entail taking the afternoon off? thanks. I believe it is 'Holi' in India around now, which may involve an afternoon off in India, it wouldn't here
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 13:13
I just came on to say that EW had actually been great about this and see they have already reposted their email to me - thank you admin :) much appreciated. And I'm very glad you do spot checks!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:47
[My "mary smith" was a lady who advertised on EW, but not admin and had nothing to do with EW other than as a member. I would have been prepared to pay the costs of the vaccinations but not the cost to purchase the dog, which was ridiculous it was over AED 10k, and she was apparently moving abroad and desperate to "rehome". In the end I think it was more that the puppy grew up and she couldnt handle or train the dog. It was nearly 2 and not toilet trained didnt interact well with other dogs or people. We lived in the same complex and I knew the dog. I guess I am also extremely biased when it comes to dogs as I would NEVER let my boy go, even when we moved to Dubai I said to my husband if the dog cant come we arent going. If we move home, he comes with us and we have a "plan b" if anything ever happens here that would result in expats being evacuated and we wont be leaving with assistance of our government. Dogs arent for life, not just christmas or birthdays or until they become big. Really annoys me that many people here abandon dogs once they cant control them or they grow up. Littleone - can I just say this was never 'my' dog, just a rescue I agreed to foster? would love to keep but don't have the right lifestyle and it isn't fair on her, she needs more company/attention than she's getting, but we are doing our best to train her (she's great, very willing, just also very excitable!) Ecochic, she has been advertised on dubizzle, not directly by me, I just thought EW was another way of accessing potential families :( Yes the municapality vet is great, and can easily pop up there really.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:31
Hi ecochic, thanks - I do agree with the principle of the vaccination thing, I just hadn't thought about it when pup had hers done. Good idea about the copy receipts (though it was the municipality vet so who knows...!) I just wanted to be able to actually advertise her rather than only relying on the help of the 'homing lady' - it is EW's reaction I am having difficulty understanding really.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:19
I don't know. She didn't say she was - maybe the ad went up, she complained, they took it down? do you get a mail when the ad goes up? (haven't used the classifieds before)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 11:16
Hi littleone, What I was trying to say was, I am supposed to ask for vaccination costs (which is pretty standard across the various rehoming organisations) but don't think I can as I can't find the receipt. Of course the person would get the vaccination book, and the municipality tag, (and her favourite toys, and her blanket......) However immediately after replying to 'mary Smith' I had a message from EW saying 'advert not accepted, blah blah' which seems to be on the basis that the dog isn't 'free'. So now I think mary Smith was not a genuine enquiry - but I also don't think the not accepting is fair :(
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 February 2013 - 17:24
Zoco, the not eating dairy/creamy when you have a cold makes sense as it increases your muchus production. It doesn't have to do with the serving temperature, so custard hot and cold isn't good when you've got a cold. It will make you more snotty... yes but dairy increasing your mucus production is apparently an old wives' tale itself......
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 February 2013 - 17:06
hi does anyone know of a good couple's counselor in dubai? not marriage counselor RELATIONSHIP COUNSELOR. what is the difference? never heard of marriage counselling that wasn't about the relationship....
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 February 2013 - 00:07
Yes and yes, but it is one of the things which have to add up to less than a certain total per year in order to be covered.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 February 2013 - 23:45
Don't bump her up, really.... I skipped a year at a similar age; was fine academically but struggled with other aspects, particularly later on. Talk to the teachers, let her do extension work, but let her be in the class where her peers are :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 14:19
Your notice period was 'to be decided upon'? I don't believe you. And though there are generally caveats around the days off for Eid etc (more junior staff - if you have to work Eid you get overtime pay; more senior staff - your salary is enough that if you have to work Eid it's tough) the overall principle is clear in every employment contract I've seen. I really do not care if you believe me or not. I was called in many weekends and double shifts (24 hrs) without notice, and leave as and when they agreed. DH also works for the Govt and his hours are all over the place. He is often called in to work without warning. My maid works as and when I need her. She does not find it strange at all. edited by CallMeMaybe on 04/02/2013 OK, and you had a notice period to be determined???? If you were being called in on that basis, without overtime pay, I'm sorry but you are clearly relatively senior; as I said in my first email. Likewise your DH. And your pay reflects that. My maid also works as and when I need her, particularly when I have to travel. That is not necessarily the issue; the issue is what the underlying principle is (in our case 'you have Fridays off and public holidays; if we can't do that we will make it up another way)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 14:13
I used to work for Dubai Govt and that was how it was for me. Your notice period was 'to be decided upon'? I don't believe you. And though there are generally caveats around the days off for Eid etc (more junior staff - if you have to work Eid you get overtime pay; more senior staff - your salary is enough that if you have to work Eid it's tough) the overall principle is clear in every employment contract I've seen. As all gov and semi gov entities fall outside the labour law, what she says is correct. and domestic employees also fall outside the labour law. I know both of those things. However, I still don't believe that your notice period, either way, was to be decided on, or that there were no written provisions relating to Eid and the like. And I work for a semi-government entity; I'm perfectly well aware of its legal status. What I am talking about is simply good (not even 'very good') employment practice; I don't believe I mentioned legal obligations.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 14:03
I would not discuss the following with a maid except to say that they will all be decided upon depending on the circumstances: Holidays, Days off for Xmas, Eid etc Notice periods Overtime I agree with the above100% Really? Would you also agree if your employer told you the same? I used to work for Dubai Govt and that was how it was for me. Your notice period was 'to be decided upon'? I don't believe you. And though there are generally caveats around the days off for Eid etc (more junior staff - if you have to work Eid you get overtime pay; more senior staff - your salary is enough that if you have to work Eid it's tough) the overall principle is clear in every employment contract I've seen.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 14:01
I would not discuss the following with a maid except to say that they will all be decided upon depending on the circumstances: Holidays, Days off for Xmas, Eid etc Notice periods Overtime I agree with the above100% Really? Would you also agree if your employer told you the same? almost cross posted, saying the same thing.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 February 2013 - 20:23
Can your friend notarise it though? a solicitor can certify something is a true copy, but can't usually certify that something is the original, which is what is being asked here (because how would they know?) Not completely sure how this works though, as I managed to avoid having mine done, I just don't see how I as a solicitor could 'notarise' a degree certificate.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 February 2013 - 20:20
sorry have just realised you actually wrote optometrist- the only one I have come across is the lovely lady at Moorfields; Dr Habash is an opthalmologist.