Job Discussion Forums

mondrian · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:53 pm Post subject: The May Holiday

Today my University announced its plans for the May Holiday. There will be a week free of teaching at the beginning of May. However, the Thursday and Friday classes of that week will be taught on the Saturday and Sunday of the previous week. So much for an extended "week's" break with travel planned for that Saturday.
Also I now have to think up an extra lesson for a third of my classes. I can't do the obvious and show them a movie, as I dont have the multimedia facilities.
Suggestions please?

Ah well!!
Anyone else in a similar situation?

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Here's the deal:

The May Day holiday is "technically" 3 days: May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. This year, it just happens to fall on a Mon., Tues., and Wed. So, to make it a nice 7-day "holiday", they take the two days you SHOULD be working (Thurs. and Fri.) and switch it with the weekend before. You are still getting your national holiday (May 1-3), but instead of coming back to work only two days and then getting the weekend off, you are being forced to work the weekend before.

I just really, REALLY disagree with this logic and I've said so to both schools I've worked at that do it this way. If you are advertising a "paid 7 day holiday in May" (like both my jobs did), then don't make me work the weekend before, which is my regular days off. Give me my 7 day holiday AND my normal weekends (which means, actually, that I should have weekend, 5 days, weekend, and two days off).

PS: Why it's called a "Golden Week" is beyond me if the holiday is "technically" only 3 days. Do all businesses (not just schools) do this same kind of weird switcheroo?

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

jester · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 111

I haven't been here too long but you guys sound like a bunch of old men whose Wednesday Bingo has been cancelled

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

The idea of extended holidays during First of May or Labour Day holidays and on other occasions is now several years old and is in fact set in stone; what's not set in stone is the annual makin-up of classes!
This is left to the employers who invariably muddle through, ordering people to pitch in on Saturday and Sunday for some of the classes; it comes as a sort of penalty to students who have to stay a weekend extra!
As for myself, I don't see any benefit in doing classes for half of my students but not for the otyher half... What can you do on those weekends with your studiosi?
Maybe I will ask them to follow me to the nearest STARBUCK'S for a well-deserved cup of rich mocha!
Alternately, I can symnpathise with them over their lost hopes and lost time on campus; let's reminisce together of the better times last century!

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

mondrian · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:00 am Post subject: Re: Holiday

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I can't imagine it will be too long before we hear Jester a-moaniin' and a-gripin' about something or another here at Dave's. After a while you kind of get used to the "Chinese way" of doing things, but you still don't have to like it!

woza17 · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 602 Location: china

Hey Jester
You are right, you haven't been here too long. Post next year, if you are still in China and see how you feel then
These are precious days for us and we need to plan, just like the rest of our Chinese comrades.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

hey jester - 9 free clear days for me - and no catching up on weekends - and I realy am an' ol' fart Laughing

mindya my holdays aint paid - blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah - back to the wheelchair Confused

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Midlothian Mapleheart · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Elsewhere

Edited to remove offensive content.

Middy

Calories · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 361 Location: Chinese Food Hell

tehe I get 12 days off and no weekend make ups that's just silly. Exam time is a good time when I don't test or grade...only problem is I don't know what to do with myself considering I work so few hours and keep getting these long holidays. Laughing

jester · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 111

Just a note. I am new at these forums - not in China. I'm going on my fourth year

bendan · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 739 Location: North China