“ This is my story in brief that shows how Emirates Airline HR has dealt with it from dishonouring “their” agreement that was signed on the contract hoping that I would get some support in filing a legal case in a country other than UAE. Such influenced individuals or managers or even senior staff have distorted the Bright image of Emirates Airline by bullying, mobbing and even playing with the company rules to meet their needs supported by HR. I’ve tried to reach some decision makers since 2010 with a help from inside and outside the company in order to draw attention on their illegal actions as same become part of each day activities however, they reached managers before me and briefing them with wrong information!
I did my utmost during my life in EK by working hard as I have more than 17 awards and compliments from the company and passengers (many for my own projects) including EK highest accolade as I have received the Chairman Award from HH in 2005 for saving a life of a passenger after his heart had stopped during transit. I had registered “Exceptional” on my PM for 3 continuous years and I have a great relation with all staff including seniors that developed to friendship. I wasn’t given or called for any “disciplinary” meetings except a single Memo on March 12th 2008 when my line manager Mr Patrick D. has done a marvelous job in changing facts supported by his officer to send me a message that I should be loyal to him.
My ex-line manager Mr Patrick D. was a perfect example for violating the “HUMANITY” rules not only the company rules, I don’t know his previous experience but, all what I know that he had joined DNATA in 1991 as a “normal” staff and had moved the chain till he was selected as ASM for Doha station. At that time, EK was almost 10 years old and there were only certain numbers of staff as the possibility of getting promoted was higher than today. He was called back to Dubai after many complaints against his strategy of running the work at Doha station. Mr Patrick had worked hard on making friends especially with influenced managers as this was his only and last card to play with when facing problems. In Dubai, he wasn’t welcomed back to DNATA as it had enough from him so, he used his “only card” to be saved from a definite termination….he was attached with one of the best manager in EKAS hoping that he would change (including attitude and behavior) and begin a positive creative new life but, he was cunning like a fox!! He was transferred to the ramp and baggage area-EBRS under Mrs Anoma leadership based on the positive feedback from that manager. Mrs Anoma in turn had taken a good care in “rehabilitating” him as a manager, no wonder he is well known of “Anoma’s son” till this moment.
Mr Patrick was very smart in knowing staff not for their achievements but, who stands behind them, he used to take good care of the local staff and building a good friendly relations with them, he was supporting only his loyal staff and distributed them in every shift to know what was happening behind his back other than work issues, what they were thinking /talking about him, a detailed “briefing” would be prepared every day before he comes to work by his senior loyal staff that are called till this very moment “Patrick Boys”.
I wasn’t welcomed by him at EBRS department thinking that I would act as “Spy” as I was against his strategy at work, he used to brief everyone including the DVP that I didn’t want to join EBRS and I prefer to stay where I was at that time!!! He had worked on many things to make me just run away from the department briefing all that I wasn’t enjoying my work at EBRS and for that, I shouldn’t be believed of whatever I say!!
In my whole life at EBRS, neither me nor any one of my colleagues have learned anything from him, he never showed us how to solve or how to anticipate problems before they arise, he never asked or listened to staff on how we can improve EBRS services….all what he showed us was the “other side” of managers i.e. giving “unjustified” warnings and memos!! I just can’t forget when one day, he called me to his office and got amazed when I saw Ms H. Al A. (HR Manager) there, he began to create some stories from his imagination about me and that all staff including managers were complaining about me!! The worst part was, Ms H. HR was supporting his wrong claims and then she said “All expatriates are saying the same thing when they are in troubles, if they found a decent job at their own country, they wouldn’t be here!!” then I looked at her and said: “First, I am not in trouble; second, the HR has set a special protocol before reaching a Hearing “not like this”: third, what do you mean by Expatriates? Mr. Clark is expatriate, Mr. Morris Flanagan is expatriate, Mr. Dale Griffith is expatriate, the manager here (Patrick) is expatriate too….most of the expatriates are working hard to add more success to EK.” This was EK HR representative who supposed to investigate and support the staff but it seems, HR will put heads down for managers.
Patrick did not share any plan(s) with any staff asking them for optimum opinion in fact, he would ignore any “feedback” concerning ideas or projects as he would go for what is in his head or (of course) his seniors. For example, 7 years ago EBRS management have allocated luggage carousel for the premium passengers however, this turned out on the staff with different scenarios of harassments from passengers and Patrick didn’t show any interest to listen and/or reply on staff emails to enhance this service as one time he called me to say “You are a supervisor…just be a supervisor, we don’t want anything else from you…no ideas…no projects…this is a message from the DVP”!! EBRS had continued with the plan until it was stopped (with immediate effect) by Mr. Tim Clark When he called SVP Mr. M Mattar for that on September 2009!!
On an “opening” for a new post “EBRS Duty Officers-Grade 7” and just after the assessment, Patrick came out of the lounge to tell me to look for the grade in other department as they have already chosen the suitable staff even though, this was against the company rules as 2 more groups were coming after we finish our assessment besides, the interview still didn’t assign yet!!! He said, I am the Decision Maker here!!! And yes…managers can play up and down with the rules supported by HR.
I am not the only one who suffered from his “sadist games” there are a lot of staff who tasted his pain, many good staff had received rejection to their application for higher grades from him without a valid reason set as per HR or even just “destroy” their hopes by unjustified Warnings and memos.
Speaking about the “unjustified” warnings that Patrick used to give EBRS staff without notice as per the rules and regulations, once my shift manager Ms Lynelle Adkins had asked me something about my PM, she said “I didn’t know that you have a recent warning”, I said I don’t have a warning….it was a Memo longtime back and it is not in the system anymore!!, she turned the screen toward me and said look! There was a warning issued about a week ago by the Line Manager Patrick D…Amazingly, it was the same my old Memo text but, with current date!!! There is a protocol for issuing warnings set by HR so basically, he can put whatever on my system without discussing same with me as per the rules!! I was disappointed and couldn’t think anymore…I heard some strange voices but, I opened my eyes to find myself on the stretcher and rushed to Rashid Hospital by Airport Medical Team after I collapsed with sever seizure!!!
It was Friday Feb 26th 2010 I will remember that date for the rest of my life. Doctors had done CT scan but, they wanted to go for MRI as the checks were insufficient to determine the reason for the sever seizure anyways, hospital staff asked me to arrange initially 10,000 AED as my Governmental Health card, my EK health insurance even my “emergency” case didn’t save me from continuing my medical checks in a public hospital! I had to wait for many hours for EK to arrange the required money as every 10-15 minutes a nurse would come and ask me for the same however, after 6 hours of waiting, I had signed on the self discharge form and I left the hospital.
I couldn’t do the MRI scan in private hospitals that honor my EK insurance as I have to wait for EK to send them the approval form. During that period, I had another 3 seizure attacks that ended each time in a different hospital however, I had a meeting with Mr Ashley F. EKAS HR in order to submit a huge complaint against my manager Mr Patrick D. having my old memo dated March 12, 2008 to compare it with the recent warning on his system as it has the same text, Mr Ashley was so amazed and stupor that he was wondering how did he do that, he took a copy of the memo as he would investigate on that and delete this “unjustified” warning from my file at the same time, he asked for some time and not to tell anyone about this meeting and/or my complaint against Patrick! (Later, I found out that he was protecting Patrick!).
I met Ranjini from EK Medical Benefit Administration (MBA) to follow up as my life without treatment was described as “Unstable”, Ranjini informed me that EK Clinic approved my treatment 2 days ago. At the City Hospital I was examined by Dr Deep Al Kayed (MD, FAAN- US Board certified Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist) however, he didn’t give me a clear definite answer whether it was Anteriovenos Malformation-AVM that caused the Tumor or something else as he said “Most of the AVMs take a quiet long time to be formed however, your case is different as the location (Left thalamic basal Ganglia), the size of the tumor is very large 3.9 CM in its antero-posterior, 3.8CM in its height and 1.9 CM in its coronal dimension with high pressure on the surrounding structures and with a huge massive Edema that is compressing the cerebral nerves made me say that it was recently formed and maybe this explains why you didn’t suffer from it before”. The hospital suggested starting treatment as soon as possible to prevent further complications and possible death by a professional team in Jordan as doctors there have great experience in treating same. It is good to mention that I had bad scenarios trying to get a CD for my MRI as every staff I asked him, he would come back to me saying once, it is against the policy then, the machine was inoperative…etc!! I had to meet the duty manager for that who had confirmed to me that the hospital gives a CD copy to the patients without even asking however, after about 3 hours of negotiation, they gave me the CD but, I didn’t know that there was a bad story behind hiding it!
Emirates Airline “MBA” had approved my treatment outside UAE (in Jordan) based on the discharge report from the City Hospital, Dubai Hospital and Rashid Hospital. Ranjini had confirmed that the company insurance would be responsible for my treatment and my basic salary (at least) would be deposited in my bank account as usual till the end of my treatment as:
- I had collapsed on duty and transferred to Rashid Hospital by Airport Medical Team.
- MAS (Manager Airport Services) and ASM (Airport Services Manager) had filed an incident report.
- EK Clinic/Doctors had approved my treatment in Jordan according to the medical reports from Rashid, Dubai and the City Hospital however, I wasn’t not invited to see anyone of them or at least, to be examined by EK Doctors.
I went with my colleague to another private Dr to have a second opinion of my MRI examination but, we were shocked when we found out that the City Hospital gave me just a BLANK CD!! It couldn’t be by mistake as the hospital duty manager gave it to me after a big hassle. I went again there and I met a different duty manager and I made sure to take my own MRI CD after reviewing it, I heard it from there that my employer (HR) was against giving me the CD, I wrongly though because HR/insurance had paid my bill so, the hospital should take their permission first, I DIDN’T KNOW THEY WERE HIDING THAT MY BRAIN HAD BLEEDED (HEMORRAHAGE) AND DUE TO THIS, I WAS UNFIT TO FLY (you can google it) however, the HR wanted me to go home ASAP to close my case from Dubai side and be with HR manager Ashley F. only.
Since I was having some financial commitments with banks (personal loan +credit cards), I called their customer service advising them of the same and that I needed to seek treatment in Jordan as per the medical reports so, I have updated my contacts and my email address.
I was in touch with my employer most of the time as I used to send medical reports the minute I received them, doctors have described my case as critical, rare and serious that needs to be treated ASAP, complications might include another brain bleeding (haemorrhage) and/or stroke which may lead to death. Ashley called me many times offering me some “good offers” if I submitted my resignation as he would consider it as medical termination, he would send some extra “cash” which would help in my treatment as I was the first EKAS to be awarded the Chairman Award, he would authorize the treatment fees till recovery, he would speak and send the banks a letter of my medical termination so that they would activate their insurance to settle down my outstanding of my loan and cards and would follow up with them in order to give me my same outstanding/principle amount as per their insurance policy (Emirates NDB bank is doing that for my loan), he would call my company insurance 24 months basic salary as per contract, my belongings at my apartment at no cost and finally, he would get me back to EK when I finish my treatment however, I refused his offer in so many times.
The MBA had reimbursed my treatment only one time however; they used their own calculations and the sum was “much” less than what the receipts showed. I tried calling them many times after emailing them but, they didn’t reply…Even HR Ashley had ignored my emails after asking me to copy him on the emails. My own basic salary was stopped since May 2010 and in almost every email I send Ashley I used to put him in full picture regarding the heavy costs for my treatment that would stop if –at least-my salary and medical fees were not paid but, he was (some what) referring to this issue as a private issue and I should be responsible for it. I even tried to explain that I was covered by EK medical insurance and I passed the company medical test before I joined EK and all that has formed recently as per my medical reports but unfortunately, EK Clinic and/or HR had judged on that as it was formed since birth. Then why I wasn’t asked to be examined by EK doctors when I had collapsed with seizure on duty? I was on duty when that happened?
Ashley was trying to put a lot of pressure so that I would ask him for termination as once; he gave me 2 options either to send him my doctor contacts or to come to Dubai because EK doctors wanted to examine me to make sure that I am on the right track even though, I was sending my medical reports as soon as I get them and my treatment didn’t finish yet but, traveling to Dubai by plane was against any medical advice in fact, my doctors were amazed from my employer request as I had two recent brain embolizations and I was under condensed Physiotherapy and the worst part, I should pay for everything including my tickets, staying in Dubai…etc the minute I was saving every Dirham for my treatment after EK had stopped my insurance and my salary as authorized by MBA for the 3 above reasons. I sent Ashley my doctor contacts and I told him that I was in favor of coming to Dubai as per EK Doctors request and to finalize my salary and treatment issues with MBA.
A few weeks later, Ashley returned back asking me to come to Dubai as he fixed an appointment with Dr Diane Mclvor on May 30th 2011at 1130AM on his email, he said that EK Dr has called my Dr in Jordan however, it was still not sufficient detail to ascertain my fitness for continued employment!! This is absolutely WRONG because whoever called my doctor was inquiring about my medical progress only and my Dr informed that I was improving (with details) however, my doctors have advised to reconsider 12hours shift as it is hectic and unhealthy and they wrote this on their report that I had sent to HR.
On his email, Ashley wrote that he ran a quick check with immigration and found that a police case was filed by Mashreq Bank with a total sum of 9,500AED, he asked me to settle that amount before coming as police arrest could happen and would cause extreme stress for me!. First, the Immigration Department wouldn’t release some “secure” information to anyone unless he has a written authority from me as this is illegal second, police case was filed because my salary was stopped from being deposited in my account third, this is a private issue however, Ashley went there to file a case against me (Escaping from the employer case No. 372994) as he knew that I have some financial commitment with banks and therefore, the banks would do the same and exclude me from their insurance under “Medical Termination” or”Loss of job due sickness” scheme even getting the same outstanding after settling it. He made sure to answer any call from banks with “We don’t know where he is and we filed a case against him”. If Ashley had any sense of “humanity” its better to ask EK Clinic why EK doctors insisted (as per Ashley) to be examined in Dubai (rather than do it at their approved clinic for Jordan staff in Jordan) when EK Clinic had approved my treatment in Jordan without even seeing me and all the medical reports were sent to them up to date in terms of, what we have done and what is the next step in details. Doctors can’t jeopardize a human life by asking a patient with recent brain operations to fly to Dubai to be examined and they are not going to put me in a plane with a recent hemorrhage that was hidden from me and send me to Jordan for good…This is how EK-HR would do to protect managers and in my case, protecting themselves from being questioned or what they have done regarding my complaint!
I informed my doctors that I wanted to go to Dubai as they knew my company comes first however, on June 3rd 2011, my Dr sent me a report indicated that my Drs were not in favor of traveling by plane at this stage due to my recent brain operations, recent Haemorrhage and the Edema that is still exists till the moment as they didn’t want to hold any legal responsibility, however, they gave me that decision as I should consider Oxygen (extra bottle) onboard the flight if I decided to go as I MIGHT need it. I sent the report to Ashley as usual to prepare the MEDIF form and send it to EK Clinic then to reservation as I knew from before when I was Public Relation Officer that sick passengers with Oxygen bottle can travel but they have to inform EK prior and fill Medical Form (MEDIF) unfortunately, Ashley had taken this report as a reason to terminate my services even though, it is NOT a valid reason for termination set by company therefore, it is illegal! in fact, there is a legal question here of how could EK Dr wants me to travel to Dubai when I had recent brain operations and passed brain bleeding condition to fly to Dubai just to be examined by this Dr!
Once again, my doctors wrote this in their report so as not to hold any legal responsibility however, they didn’t say that I will be unable to perform my duties as what Ashley wrote in the Medical Termination and made the DVP signed on it!! I even made that clear on June 15th 2011 when Ashley called me to tell me his decision.
Ashley F. had done great job to make me suffer and taste different pains. Once My Drs thought of sharing my critical case (the blockage in the cerebral brain veins and my cerebral Edema which is still existed at almost the same volume before the operations) with the neurosurgeons and Drs from all over the world who were coming to attend a medical seminar , I have put Ashley in picture through my several calls regarding my appointment on Aug 5th 2011 since middle of June that was almost a month prior, he promised to follow up personally with staff to ensure I receive my OWN dues +EOS before the end of July. Unfortunately, during that period he left to BOM on vacation without leaving a simple hand over to his office staff to send my money eventually, I had to cancel my appointment on Aug 4th and wasted that great chance….Ashley said on the phone “I am also a human and I needed this vacation to work properly”!! But, probably he forgot that I needed MY money to live safely with no more pain!
Ashley F. had delayed sending my dues on purpose in many times, it took more than 100 days after my medical termination to calculate and send my dues!! I have to mention that Ashley did something to the calculation to my benefit as he changed half day to full day which added few hundred Dirhams to the total so as to tell whoever asked him that he did his best for me but, he excluded me from 2011 yearly bonus (11 weeks) and my company paid tickets even my EOS as he send it to Emirates NDB bank for my loan instead of sending them my medical termination but, he authorized my SRC tickets!!
The amazement of all and after my Medical Termination and after filing a case against me and after pushing banks to do the same and after making sure that banks had deprived me from their insurance by closing the outstanding and giving me the same outstanding that would be invested in my treatment and of course, after delaying my treatment many times he just…send me back my basic salary from June 2010 till June 12 2011 (still short in 1 month) as what first authorized by MBA before!! I got the chance to speak to EVP-HR Mr Abdulaziz Al Ali as he was waiting for my call but unfortunately, he got WRONG briefing from Ashley who –for sure- had briefed him that he did his utmost for my case. Mr Abdulaziz had thankfully authorized my Financial Year Profit as he said that same was authorized by HH The Chairman to all and every staff and no one can take it from you, he sent Ashley an email to send the FYP with immediate effect however, I took him about a month to receive it after calling him! During the call, Mr Abdulaziz said that “EK can’t give you back your salary as Ashley had briefed him why” when I asked him about my “Personal Accident & Life Insurance” for grade 6 (24 months basic salary) the contract that was given to me when promoted to grade 6!!
This is part of what happened and I still have all the conversation and reports saved but, no one took the initiative to investigate as all were depending on the HR briefing, even the head of EK HR was given wrong briefings!. I haven’t signed on any paper that certifies that I have received all my dues or all my rights even after sending my money actually, I can’t do that as I became disabled of 75% according to 3 medical committees that belongs to Ministry of Health in Jordan, my doctors said that I could be saved from this if my treatment and physiotherapy wasn’t interrupted. I am ready for any medical checks that would be required by the court, my doctors are also ready for a hearing and I hope to get a legal help.
I thank you.
Tagha1“
* The name of the author is known to the administrators of this blog.
My Medical Contract
My Termination Letter
My Medical Report 1
My Medical Report 2
Memo