Job Discussion Forums

[The Overcoat]

I recently had an interview for a teaching post in Germany and was told that "our teachers don't have medical insurance, they just fly home every few months if they need to and get free NHS treatment."

[scot47]

Who was the employer ?

[The Overcoat]

it was an independent business English school in Bavaria.

[scot47]

Someone should blow the whistle on these ratbags. They are breaking the law and German civil servants take this sort of thig seriously. They should be covering their employees through one of the "Krankenkassen."

Incidentally contrast this mindset with my the attitude of my current employers in the Middle East who just let me have lengthy sick leave on full pay for heart surgery.

There is the difference between working in a marginalised industry (EFL in a shady private school in Germany) and working for a decent employer (a university in Saudi Arabia).

[The Overcoat]

Yes, it left a nasty taste in my mouth too, because he only brought it up after i told him that i'm disabled.
I thought it better not to mention the name of the teaching institute.

[The Overcoat]

I've just noticed that they are looking for another teacher to start in Autumn. Lets hope the successful applicant doesn't fall ill!

[Hod]

Full-time contracts in Germany have all but disappeared over the last three years. When contracts are given, however, they always include medical insurance. This even applies to the lowest of the low schools. They are obliged to do this by German law.

Freelance contracts, of course, won�t include any such benefits.

Was this job in Bavaria a freelance position? If not, then this school sounds like hell. Name and shame, please.

It�s stating the obvious, but medical insurance is essential which ever type of contract you have. I can�t believe the number of teachers who would have major problems if involved in an accident. Try hobbling back for NHS treatment then. Besides, routine optical and dental treatment is excellent in Germany, and you�ll get huge discounts if insured. [/i]

[longtimeteach]

If that's the school which is advertising on tefl.com at the moment, then they regularly offer freelance "contracts" though what that may be I sure don't know. Freelance gives nothing but meagre pay so what good is it for the teacher to sign one? Those kinds of contracts benefit ONLY the schools and they aren't worth the paper on which they're printed.

That same school doesn't want anyone "old" - meaning over the age of 35 years and they want a CELTA for the money they offer. They frequently have a need for teachers. Is there any wonder why?

The state of EFL teaching salaries and contracts in Germany is appalling!

[The Overcoat]

Apologies, i should have mentioned that it was a freelance position. But i'm still shocked at the suggestion that someone should fly home every few months for free NHS treatment.

[scot47]

I have been posting warnings about work in Germany for some time.Because of my realism I have been accused of "negativism".

If anything it is getting worse, but still there are simple souls that think they can get a good deal in Germany.

Maybe you can if you are lucky, or extremely well-qualified, or prepared to work for pfennig (which have been abolished anyway !)

I visit Germany once or twice a year and have regular contacts with peoiple teaching there. Believe me - it is tough !

[longtimeteach]

Overcoat:

Your alternative to flying home to be treated on the NHS is to buy health insurance in Germany. Depending on age, etc. it could cost you upwards of 400 Euro per month if you must get the special private insurance for foreigners.

If you've held a job with a contract previously in Germany then you might qualify for the Krankenkasse but this is still very high if you must pay the full monthly rate.

Freelance is very difficult here, especially if you need to have health insurance, etc. Look for a contract teaching position which provides health insurance benefit.

Cheers!

[The Overcoat]

so basically anyone taking this job would have to either risk living in Germany without any medical cover or pay the contributions and live on the breadline?

[scot47]

Overcoat

You got it. Welcome the the world of EFL in Germany. Now how do we explain this to all those people who think there are hundreds of well-paid jobs everywhere they want to go ?

How do we part people from their dearly-held delusions ?

I feel like I am trying to persuade flat-earthers that the Earth is actually spherical. Diffficult !

[The Overcoat]

The situation has certainly deteriorated since i was last in Germany, but i didn't realise that it was so bad that one can only survive there either without health insurance (i know that people do this!) or by poncing off a native.