Overseas position - are these things deal breakers/ a huge deal?

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in a live in position in Dubai. However I received a more in-depth job description and it showed somethings that may be come a problem:

1. Position comes with big bedroom and en suite bathroom. However if the family has a full house of guests I may be asked to move to a smaller bedroom with shower room that is next to the house.


2. staples like milk, bread, pasta, rice will be provided. But I would be expected to buy my own groceries otherwise and to provide meals for yourself

The salary is big enough to counter this - do I want the hassle of having to cook for myself in a new country?

3. We would not expect you to have friends over to our place without asking us first for permission.
I am a live in and would never have friends over without checking with the parents first - however being told I can't have friends over without asking makes me feel like I am 13. Is this something I just need to suck up?

The parents come recomended by their last nanny and their parenting style sounds like it will match my nannying style. It could be a really great job - thoughts?

[nannydebsays]

Is this job through a reputable agency?

If so, have they (the agency) told you specifically what rules you will need to obey while living in the UAE? Are you comfortable with those rules?

Will the agency be assisting you in getting your visa/work permits in order?

Have you spoken face to face/directly in person with the former nanny? Have you asked her the questions you are asking here? What did she say?

What details do you know about the family? Are the expatriates living in Dubai? Are they citizens of Dubai/UAE? Have you spoken with THEIR references?

Have you come up with a plan for leaving if the job is not as represented?

To address your questions:

1) No, I would say that making you move to another room when company comes is not OK, especially if they have a larger home. It shows a disrespect for your privacy.

2) No, I think they should provide your meals, and if you want something outside of their normal fare then you might need to buy that yourself. (Assuming that you can freely walk to a market without being accompanied by a man...)

3) While I think employers asking to meet their LI caregiver's friends is normal, I think the questions I asked above would need to be answered for me to offer an opinion on this issue..

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply - your about 4 weeks a head of where I am at. While your questions are all valid and are things I will need to be able to answer should I decide to take the job, I am still in the interview stage and trying to decide if I like the job enough to seriously consider it!!

Thanks for your opinion regarding the issues

[Anonymous]

You are a single gemale going to a country (,United Arab Emirates) whete women, all women, are comsidered second class and.Western women are considered even lower. You would be a fool to take this job. It is impossibke to believe they cannot find a nanny there and this makes me wonder about this job. You would be there without family, friends, different culture, language, and religion. It is quite likely they will take your passport and you would be treated like or slave, raped, beaten. or killed.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a very cold and lonely job position.

[Anonymous]

That is not a country in which you want to be a domestic worker, let alone a western female. They treat their household help with even less respect than here, and with far less protections. What you know from the ad can already tell you that you will be treated like a second-class citizen (moved from your living space whenever they have guests?? Not willing to provide meals? Asking for permission to have guests?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is not a country in which you want to be a domestic worker, let alone a western female. They treat their household help with even less respect than here, and with far less protections. What you know from the ad can already tell you that you will be treated like a second-class citizen (moved from your living space whenever they have guests?? Not willing to provide meals? Asking for permission to have guests?)

+1..Judging by the ad alone, I wouldn't even entertain the thought of "interviewing".

[Anonymous]

While I think you have good advice, nannydeb, on this point you are wrong.

"2) No, I think they should provide your meals, and if you want something outside of their normal fare then you might need to buy that yourself. (Assuming that you can freely walk to a market without being accompanied by a man...) "

A female can travel easily in Dubai without being accompanied by a man.

[Anonymous]

Uh guys - the family is a BRITISH family. They probs could find a nanny there - most probs not a nanny like me though (UK passport, understanding of UK schooling system ect)

Dubai is the most western of all the Arab nations and females can walk as freely down the street as you can in America (you will most likely want to wear less revealing clothing though)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are a single gemale going to a country (,United Arab Emirates) whete women, all women, are comsidered second class and.Western women are considered even lower. You would be a fool to take this job. It is impossibke to believe they cannot find a nanny there and this makes me wonder about this job. You would be there without family, friends, different culture, language, and religion. It is quite likely they will take your passport and you would be treated like or slave, raped, beaten. or killed.

Two things..1) Please spell check before you post. Your posting is horrendous. 2) Many agencies place nannies in foreign countries. Over the summer, the agency that I work for had a 1 year position available in Dubai with a family. This could very well be a high profile family there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh guys - the family is a BRITISH family. They probs could find a nanny there - most probs not a nanny like me though (UK passport, understanding of UK schooling system ect)

Dubai is the most western of all the Arab nations and females can walk as freely down the street as you can in America (you will most likely want to wear less revealing clothing though)

You sound like you are 12. Don't post if you are going to ignore everything we are posting or be snarky.