Job Discussion Forums

[frozenpeas]

Hi, I've just completed my CELTA course and being very keen to get working I signed the first contract I was offered...

the job isn't BAD (korea - 1.9mil won, 7 days holiday - adult teaching, near Daegu) but it's not great and I can see now that I could have got twice the holiday time for slightly more pay.

I'm still waiting for my visa so I looked for some more jobs. I found a better one near Seoul with twice the holiday, better hours and more overtime pay.

My question:
How important do you think it is to honour the contract that I have signed?

I could just tell the recruiter that I've heard bad things about the school and no longer want to work there but...

a) they have all my documents so I would probably lose my degree and celta certificate

b) I suppose they might threaten some kind of action against me or try to blacklist me.

My main concern though is that I have put the school and the recruiter to a lot of inconvenience over the last month - they have delayed my start date to let me get my papers sorted. I am due to start on the 20th Dec so pulling out now might hurt the school if they cannot replace me on time.

What is the general consensus on conduct? Should I just swallow it, accept that I could have done better and go work for them...Or should I tell them to swallow it and get the slightly better job I have been offered (and get new documents )

Thanks, Matt

[rrrichard]

I am no expert in the area of ESL, but I think you should honor your contract. You signed it, which means you swore to uphold the terms. How can you expect any school you want to work at to honor a contract if you won't?

[frozenpeas]

I know you're right...it just irks me that I'm going to spend a year making amends for a mistake that would take the school a couple of weeks to fix.

[rrrichard]

Man, I totally understand. Many times in my life I have acted too quickly, and ended up regretting it. If you really want to change schools, you could always ask them if it would be okay. They'd probably say no, but there is a chance, yeah?

[nomadder]

They have your original docs? Yie. Well Korea seems very fly by night and they shaft people all the time. If it were most other countries I'd say honor the contract but... If you can't get the docs back soon I would go with the contract. You might even like the job for a year. If not get them back asap after the job starts and start looking. Just give them enough notice-1 month should be ok there. They're always looking last minute.

[Mchristophermsw]

That really sucks but I would honor it if I were in your shoes.

Do a paradigm shift and look at the positives.

1) Experience
2) Networking (You never know who you might meet and who they might know etc) Its funny how doors can be open for ya.

3) Gives you the oppertunity to hone your teaching skills.
4) May lead to an advance or higher paying position with the same school.

I am sure theres other things but thats what I have come up with for so far.

As for me, I worry about KARMA and what goes around has a way of coming back around. But ultimately you have to do what is best for you.
And if you do leave, it may well be the best choice.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Best wishes

[nomadder]

I agree with the karma/what goes around comes around and gave the same advice on a Japan thread. Maybe what's meant to be is also applicable. Sometimes other good things could come out of it. Interesting co-workers, etc. Money and holidays aren't everything.

[Gordon]

Try contacting the school and recruiter telling them you have noticed that other schools in Korea give more holidays and see if you can negotiate a better deal. Tell them you think it would be more equitable if they could give the going rate. Sometimes honesty can work for you. Most things, especially contracts in Korea, are negotiable.

[tedkarma]

Try to help make this an honorable occupation, by doing what you agreed to do. There are already too many people who see this as a career for flakes - and it doesn't help to contribute to that by jumping out of a contract.

There are many other issues at hand too. Have you checked with both schools? Are the teachers happy? Does one school have terrible housing and the other nice housing? Does the boss treat you like rubbish in one and gold in the other?

So many variables can affect your life here - money and time off are not all they might seem to be.

I have a friend - who I think only gets seven days off per year - but her employer is quite flexible and she from time time gets an extra day here and there - and even days with just one or two classes every now and then. Some schools have cameras in every classroom and watch you like a hawk - others trust you to do your best.

Take a look at the broader picture - rather than getting ready to bale at the first thing that strikes you as not going your way.

Just my opinion.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hello frozenpeas


You might also try the 'Honest Abe' approach

and simply explain to the school & the recruiter

the situation you are in at the moment.


"You have received a much better offer

but you want to do the right thing ... "


Let them reply.


They might let you off the hook;

they might also improve your offer

or ...

they might insist that you honour

the contract you have signed.


Regardless of their reply (imho)

you do no harm by telling the truth.


You might even walk away with your cake

and eat it too, if you can be diplomatic!

[fluffyhamster]

Hmm, I'm not sure I'd start mucking them around; if they are a "fair" employer (i.e. not totally crap - and nothing you've said points to the contrary yet), you're hardly going to ingratiate yourself with them by appearing to be a grasping little F*gin before you've even started working there (you could in fact make the job - employer-employee relations etc - go from fair to bad to worse for yourself); and just because there are apparently better jobs around puts them under no obligation to increase on what they were previously offering (people who sign contracts are presumed to have checked that it's what they really want to do). I guess the outcome will ultimately depend on how badly they need and just how much more you are prepared to push for. I myself would advise you to just bite the bullet and make the most of it, but if you do push for more, then as others have said, you won't be losing anything (other than, I'd add, being a man of your word LOL). You could even write off the documents and get new ones, but then there's no guarantee that you will actually get offered the apparently better jobs you've seen if you decide to hold out for and apply for them instead (maybe they're just promising you the moon anyway).

[grahamb]

Send legalised copies, but never, never the originals. Take them to an interview by all means, but hang on to them.

[darkside1]

Get new copies of your documents made then you will be able to choose between offers (correct me if I am wrong, but replacements shouldn't cost more than $100).

Generally once you say say 'no' schools aren't too interested in 'why', so if you really are unhappy with the prospect of taking this particular job then tell them politely that you are unable to take up their offer for unspecified 'personal reasons'.

Ask for your documents back (why should they keep them if they are a legit school?) If/ when they do arrive you'll have extra copies.

At the end of the day schools will make money out of you as a teacher, and while, yes, it it better to act with profesionalism and integrity at all times, that doesn't include selling youself short or feeling guilty about 'letting down' a specific school. Let's face it, if a teacher doesn't cut the mustard then s/he will sooner or later get their P45, so it is best not to get too emotional about accepting/ rejecting job offers.

[fluffyhamster]

Oops, I see you've already been offered the better job (that'll teach me to rush off posts whilst at work )! Still doesn't change the fact however that you accepted the other job beforehand...

[Gregor]

frozenpeas,
First of all, do what you said you'd do. What is your word worth? Until you decide to keep it, it means nothing at all. Is that who you want to be?
Anyway, I don't see how this is a mistake. You were keen to start work, and these people offered you a job. You took it, so as long as they pay you the salary or wage you agreed to, and as long as it's livable, then why are you upset? If you think you've got good gigs offered right now, just wait and see what you can get once you've honored a contract and got a year's experience behind you.
But for Christ's sake, do what you said you'd do.