Job Discussion Forums

[ecocks]

So, when you look at the working environment, aside from the headaches of getting your own permits, would you prefer to be permanent staff (visa support, maybe housing assistance and supplemental insurance) OR a contractor (paying your own ZUS, arranging your own housing & sup insurance, etc.)?

I see pros and cons both ways and, clearly, I favor being a contractor. Controlling your schedule through picking and choosing from the classes one or more schools offer out and being able to change up your schedule or pattern 2-3 times a year has some value, but there is something to be said for the schools' offerings of stability (sometimes illusory) and a working base. Then there are ethical and contractual issues regarding private versus school students which can arise.

Again, forget the initial hassle of getting setup but consider the tax/ZUS payments, classroom in your apartment issues, schedule locks, etc.

[Infinite]

I did few years of "Umowa o dzielo" and it was cool, it helped me in seeing how things work from within. After a while thou, it becomes very beneficial to be your own boss. If you could do both that's even better, especially in the beginning.

Some people just stay with the crappy contracts, especially when they get a nice comfortable position at a school which allows creative freedoms for example.

There are advantages to both, it also depends on your employer, you can ask them to pay for your healthcare and it really won't cost them that much saving you from paying extremely high ZUS. Some schools are ran by good and honest people so it's possible to land a fair contract.

I think the main issue that I had with schools, was their inability to keep away from cutting important corners and hurting the business. The way that natives are looked at by schools is partially the fault of the natives, but a lot of times the corner cutting involves cutting hours of a good teacher just to hire someone who'll take 10PLN less per hour which tends to backfire. Happens all the time. So the chance of being undercut is higher than if you're just signing an individual contract with a company. More room for negotiating too... more work, that's for sure, but the knowledge that it's all somehow benefiting you and nobody else is rewarding

[ecocks]

What about schools owned by expats? See any behavioral differences?

[Master Shake]

I used to find it empowering to have my own company, to have more control over my income and be able to say 'no' to those 7:30am in-company Saturday lessons.

However, the near 1,000zl/month ZUS payments really sting and the freedom is largely an illusion.

I mean, let's face it, there are only a handful of schools in Warsaw worth working for. I know that if I don't take an occasional 'lemon' (e.g. naughty kids and/or remote location) class from these schools, then I can kiss those juicy, evening, adult, general English classes goodbye.

Also, schools will always find a way to persuade freelancers to do admin tasks and attend meetings and training sessions. At the British Council, for example, they offer a few zloty more per hour to freelancers who agree to work exclusively for the BC and come to training sessions and meetings.

Working as a contractor at the end of the day you're left with:

-Slightly more money than a contract employee some months, but a lot less during months with holidays, and likely nothing over the summer
-No paid holidays
-No sick leave, or leave of any kind for that matter
-Still having to ultimately jump through the same hoops as a contract employee because you have:
-Less job security - you can be replaced at any time, so better keep your head down and take what's offered
-Did I mention the near 1,000zl a month ZUS payments after 2 years?

[ecocks]

What differences, if any, do you see between the schools with local owners and those owned by expats?

Will the legal, economic and social system wear down even the most idealistic expat-owner over time?

Also, could one of the veterans run down the different versions of contracts and permits in a single location/concise list?

[Master Shake]

[ecocks]

Is BC a franchise owned by Poles? I thought it was "owned" by Brits?

There is at least one Language School in Gdansk owned by a Brit so I would expect there to be a couple of dozen or more around the country owned by individuals.

One of my old employers owns operations in France and Germany, relatively mature markets, in addition to Azerbaijan and the UK (wouldn't it be an ancient market? j/k).

Language Solutions has operations in multiple countries (Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Libya, etc.) as well. I would expect there are several others.

[ecocks]

How does this seem as a POTENTIAL job ad? Would it seem attractive and interesting for this market for the non-EU teacher?

Position Announcement:

Looking for a Native-Speaker English Teacher (1 position) to teach Business and General English to set classes and individuals.

Expectations:

Teach Business and General English classes to classroom groups and individuals. Students are generally adults but we may form occasional classes for teenagers (16+). Generally, the work day is from 1:00 PM until 9:30 PM, Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 AM until 12:00 AM. Occasional Saturdays (in rotation 1-2 times per month) involve conversation groups and/or activities such as movies or field trips where English is the focus language.

We will provide a copy of our contract for those selected to interview.

Minimum Qualifications:

Native Speaker from North America (Canada or United States).

Completion of a bachelor’s degree.

TEFL or CELTA/Trinity (100+ hours with an observed teaching component). ESL endorsements on teaching certificates are considered equicalent as well.

1-2 years of FT experience teaching General and/or Business English to adults, preferably in Eastern Europe or the FSU.

5+ years experience in non-teaching employment such as supervision, IT support, healthcare, military, etc.

Preferences:

Experience with Business English, TOEFL/IELTS Academic and FCE/CAE programs is a large plus.

Experience in Eastern European and FSU countries.

Package:

Compensation: 3200zl/month (net)

Visa assistance with residence and work permit support provided.

Assistance in finding an apartment, registering, opening bank account and learning how to get around.

ZUS is provided or you may opt for a medical insurance policy.

2 Week Vacation to be taken in July, August or first half of September. We will be following the Polish Holiday schedule and will also be closed for 10 days at Christmas/New Year plus an additional week at Easter. We encourage you to relax and travel at this time.

End of contract bonus of 1500 zl payable upon successful completion of contract period.

[oipivo]

Hah, that sounds like a dream job. I would imagine it would draw in numerous requests.

[ecocks]

Salary doesn't seem too high or too low based upon the experience request? What if it were dropped to 3000? 2800?

What about thoughts on vacations/holidays and such?

"Contract completion bonus" instead of a ticket payment?

This is somewhat an outgrowth of my question about what could/do foreign business people bring to the table compared to locals. Some good, some maybe not as good aspects of what is considered "normal"?

[oipivo]

I would say based on the experience requested the compensation is pretty fair if even a bit high. I know I would happily take a job like that after the recent bullshit I've gone through.

I think the contract completion bonus is a better idea than ticket payment. I had this perk in Istanbul and it really did make me want to re sign. It left everything on a high note.

The vacation/holidays sounds good as well. They should know not to expect many (if any) classes around this time.

Again the whole package looks better than any other language school offer I've seen.

[NilSatis82]

I've never seen an advert specifically asking for a North American native speaker - what would be the point in that?

I can understand why someone with experience of working in business might be desirable if the job is heavy on business English teaching, but 5 years? Never seen a teaching job ask for that much before.

Also, under the qualifications section it is written 'TEFL or CELTA'. This looks pretty ambiguous as TEFL doesn't mean anything with regards to qualifications. Perhaps you mean Trinity Cert. TESOL instead?

[delphian-domine]

I'd only point out one thing - on a 3200zl net salary with ZUS paid, you'd be looking at paying a gross salary of 4497zl - and the cost to you would be 5429zl a month.

It would be considerably easier (though - the legality is very questionable and you'd want to take professional advice on the matter) to hire them under umowa o dzielo contracts and then provide them with paid private healthcare.

[ecocks]

[NilSatis82]