One school in Kuwait is now making is staff complete sheets , ironically called “Time Out” sheets when a member of staff wants to leave school and do some business- ministry, embassy, hospital etc.
Not such a bad thing you might say, but why the sudden urge to monitor staff’s whereabouts? Somewhere in the recent months did a teacher wander off to the Ministry of Finance and leave a class of Year 4s unattended? If not , what prompted this action and does it also cover the admin staff ?
On a more disturbing note, the school in question tells its staff that they may only have 3 hours a month for any such business and any hours over this will be deducted from salaries- even though ( and correct me if I’m wrong) Kuwaiti law says workers may have time off when necessary to conduct ministry business. (The guy in question who wrote the ” Policy Document” (Mr I’ve -got-sweet-F.A.-else -to do-except p*** -people -off ) has obviously never been into any of the Ministry departments in Farwaniya). Takes you three hours to get a number…….
Teachers of Kuwait unite- you have nothing to lose but your indemnity…….
26.09.07 :The Legal Clinic in the Arab Times responded to this question. The answer unfortunately doesn’t look good-seems as usual the employer can impose whatever it likes on the employee- however, the Legal Clinic shows its obvious disdain for such employers!
Oh and Cindas( commenter) it’s not simly a sign out book- it’s a “we’re going to take money off you twice ( salary + indemnity) if you have to “sign out” for more than three hours a month book.)
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| ‘Time off’ |
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| 1) Is there some regulation in the law which states that workers (teachers in this case) must be permitted by their employer to visit Ministries (or hospitals, embassies) to conduct urgent business which cannot be done after school hours? (for example papers need to be completed but the particular office is only open during school hours).
2) Secondly, if same teacher is required at a ministry again and the sum total of hours spent away from school per month (on this urgent Ministry business) is more than 3 hours, can the school deduct money from the teacher’s salary and indemnity? 3) If a school is threatening teachers with the above sanctions, to whom can they apply for legal clarification? Name withheld Secondly, on the question of deductions from salary and indemnity, this depends on individual institutions. These institutions are required to inform their staff if they have such rules. And lastly if there is any doubt about any rule, you can approach the Private Education Department in Salmiya.” Thanks Legal Clinic. |
Cindas said,
September 26, 2007 at 2:41 am
That’s not unusual I worked at ASK & AISK and bothschools have sign in and out sheets. I believe it is a ministry requirement.