Job Discussion Forums

[laflaca]

I've been in Spain for almost 3 months now and have been working at a school for 2. I got my working papers a few weeks ago, but I've been working under the table for my current employer as far as I can tell.

My question is, what are typical working conditions for private academies in Castilla-Leon? My boss keeps telling me that I'm really lucky to be getting 7,30 an hour in-house and 9,00 out. She also tells me that this is typical for the region and that in Madrid they only pay 9,00 an hour anyways. I just found out that I'm not getting my two weeks paid holiday after all, and that my "2 days paid holiday per month" can be taken either per month OR all at once (ie, Christmas). I don't get paid for prep hours and I often have to meet with the boss outside of my working hours to collect keys etc. Changes to my schedule are made all the time and I'm usually the last person to know (for example, 30 minutes before an outside class.)

Is this normal? I'm a native speaker of English, and I have a bachelor's degree and a TEFL cert. Am I crazy to think that she is treating me unfairly? If this is the norm for Spain, does anyone know about other EU countries? I love being a teacher and I don't mind working hard--I'm just not interested in being exploited.

[Libs]

I suppose it depends on what part of CL you're in. 7.30 an hour would go much further in Aranda de Duero than in Salamanca. I've heard of people who work for less in Barcelona.
I don't think any school pays for preparation hours - God wouldn't that be nice!!!
However, your boss does seem to be one of the typical bosses who is only interested in making money, doesn't particularly bother about taking care of her teachers - there are hundreds of us around after all, and stays 'just' within the law (I believe it is legal not to pay holidays so soon after starting a contract), so can't be caught out on anything.
Use this experience as just that - experience. And if you intend to stay in Spain, look around for a better school - they do exist, I've worked for a few of them.

[laflaca]

thanks! I suppose for a first position this is fairly typical. I guess it's just a disappointment--naive little me really wants to be a professional EFL teacher someday, and it's frustrating when it feels like all that's expected is the bare minimum of effort (with a large time commitment nonetheless.)