Misrepresentation and unethical practices by Dynamic Personnel and Emirates National School (ENS).
I was first approached by Dynamic Personnel about a teaching position in Abu Dhabi, UAE in August.
After having read the bad reports about ENS, I was alarmed but had come across quite a few foreign teachers who were neither qualified nor able to perform their duties. So I decided to overlook these reports to my detriment.
Dynamic Personnel, which is located in South Africa asked me to attest my documents. I ended up paying over $440 for the entire attestation process. The agent who was sub-contracted (SA Travelbug) in the attestation process attempted to extort further funds from me after the attestation which entailed paying over $100 per page!
Although the original offer of employment stated "Initial Offer", Dynamic Personnel only revealed the final contract which was non-negotiable 2 weeks before I was scheduled to fly out to the UAE. I had requested the final contract on several occasions but it was not forthcoming. Dynamic Personnel only issued it after I expressed my concerns through repeated emails.
The contract is a one sided contract which gives ENS the power to do almost whatsoever they wish with whomever they hire.
ENS has a rotten reputation amongst foreign teachers. However, Dynamic Personnel is a lying and deceptive practice that could not care less about who it places (teachers) at ENS provided the fees are received for placement services. At first, Dynamic asked me to sign a contract stating I would owe them a straight some of approximately $800 if I stopped working during the first 3 months. Dynamic DID NOT ONCE reveal that there would be a 3 month probation with a possible extension. I would not sign such an agreement because it left no room for contingencies such as a teacher falling sick for example. After changing the contract so that it reflected my concerns I decided to sign it. This was a contract between Dynamic and myself only.
Dynamic lied repeated about other teachers having no problems with the final contract but it is more likely they were duped into believing that ENS would produce a fair and negotiable contract. It is my
opinion that foreign teachers do not see the final contract until they have arrived at ENS and have very little negotiation leverage. For example, if they don't like the contract they end up paying for their own way back and also the "expenses" incurred by ENS and Dynamic Personnel.
I have in my possession the email exchanges between Dynamic and myself and in the event of a rebuttal, I will publish these emails.
In fact, I was willing to let this whole episode slide even after demanding a refund of the money I
had spent in attestation. However, Dynamic saw fit to act in a self-righteous and condescending way toward me.
I don't care anymore about the $440 I spent but I am determined to expose Dynamic and also to a certain extent the school ENS which I feel is partly responsible in not sharing this information with teachers. I suspect they may have already been involved in several lawsuits with previous foreign teachers.
The whole experience has been shocking for me. I had been offered several other posts which I turned down in favour of the position at ENS. I am now without any employment and seeking a new job in a very difficult market.
At the very least, this report will serve as a warning to any foreign teacher considering employment at ENS through Dynamic or other placement agencies.
My advice to you is AVOID Dynamic Personnel and ENS like the plague!
0 comments