Job Discussion Forums

[maruss]

What many of us take for granted as being human rights and simple respect,decency and fairness in western countries do not unfortunately,apply in Russia(and indeed in many other countries!)
You only find when you cross someones path.....I'm just really sorry it happened to this lady who went there with very good intentions and was also doing voluntary work for charity.
Be sure to keep us posted-when you get home of course!

[Sashadroogie]

Sounds like the school in question is also pretty scared if it needs to intimidate a lone female employee. IH World will certainly need to be drawn in now. These bully-boy tactics are not very healthy for franchising.

Don't give up. This is where you show your mettle. But be safe first. Discretion being the better part of valour etc.

[maruss]

We all know that most firms in Russia regularly break the rules in one way or another and its part of the lifestyle there.The usual motivation is to avoid paying any more tax than they can get away with but this case is one of sheer nastiness just because someone decided to stand up for their rights!
IH is a massive organisation though and whether they would be interested enough to take any effective action against one of their franchisees in a place like Russia which is notorious internationally for a lack of transparency and corruption in business remains to be seen??I wouldn't bet on it myself!

[Sashadroogie]

Yes, Maruss, what you say has sadly got more than a grain of truth to it. However, IH-World does have a complaints procedure, and depending on the circumstances franchises can be and are revoked where schools fail to meet basic requirements. We don't know all the facts in this particular case, though it really does look like the school has been thoroughly disingenuous and has behaved dishonorably. Also, if more people like Eve complain about the shabby treatment that is meted out by Moscow, then perhaps IH will have to act.

BTW, the IH franchise is simply seen by the top brass as a recruitment tool. They don't subscribe to the IH mission statement, but they would sorely miss the supply of fresh teachers were the franchise to be withdrawn. It is hard enough to convince people to come here in the first place, but when previous advocates like Eve get a dose of the nasties, then it becomes all the harder. Wouldn't be the first time the recruitment dept scored an own goal. Won't be the last...

[evelopez]

Safe on U.S. territory.

The events of the past week have been like something I seriously only imagined happened in the movies.

Here's what I think happened:

1. They didn't think I'd actually retain a lawyer.
2. They didn't think that my lawyer would actually take them to court.
3. They didn't think that I, as a "stupid American" knew my rights.
4. They didn't think that I would contact the newspapers, or that the newspapers would have any interest in the story. Because I'm a nobody, a poor EFL teacher.
5. They perhaps did think that by shouting at me and issuing threats, I would crumble and say, "Ok, sir, yes sir, whatever you say, sir!"
6. They didn't think that the U.S. Embassy would care about a nobody like me.
7. They didn't think that anyone dumb enough to use their real name online, here on this forum and on my blog, was capable of doing anything sensible at all.

IH World? Never called me back.
Emergency fund? Non-existent.

My lawyer keeps telling me that despite all the negative things we hear, the Russian government and courts and judges are VERY much in favor of workers' rights. Even the rights of their foreign workers.

One very important thing I think ALL foreign teachers need to know:

You have rights.
And it is entirely possible (in fact, fairly easy) to appoint someone as your representative and sue a company from overseas.

I got a little long-winded here, but I'm back in the U.S., making my last connecting flight back home.

PS - maruss - I made a significant donation of pretty much every single thing of value that I owned in Russia to Maria's Orphanage. Thought you might like that.

[Nexus]

Sounds very disturbing - well done Eve for going ahead with all this.

So now that you're back in the USA is it true that you are still able to continue a court case against them?

You mentioned the newspapers. Any idea when and in which paper something will appear?

Good luck once more - I hope you get a good result in the end. Keep us posted!

[maruss]

Despite all your troubles,you still made the effort to donate your stuff to the kids charity before you left and I'm sure we all agree that you deserve commendation from us for that!Be sure that the people there will appreciate it too.

[rusmeister]

I'd like to add my thanks, Eve, and suggest that you pop in from time to time and warn other newbies to be cautious when thinking of or planning to work the way you did.

[evelopez]

Hi, guys. Nexus - yes, of course, everything will continue. Russian courts allow representatives to appear in court on behalf of their foreign clients. My lawyer is so awesome. I owe him so much.

The Moscow News has indicated interest in the story. I communicated with a reporter last week, but will be keeping my mouth shut till I talk to my lawyer since this legal dispute is now becoming a lawsuit.

Russmeister and everyone - thank you so much for your support.

I have emailed a couple of people about this, but I would like to say again: I am very, very sorry about my arrogance during those first few weeks I was in Moscow. After I wrote that glowing first post about the company, and you guys tried to warn me that it was all a facade - I didn't believe you. (I'll probably repost this apology on that original thread).

I was naive and ignorant and I apologize to ALL OF YOU. You guys were right the whole time, and I was in the honeymoon phase and didn't have a clue as to what I was getting myself into.

I'll continue to visit this forum, as I of course have interest in helping other teachers (that's the whole reason why I started writing about this company to begin with) in addition to the interest in this company and the situation in Russia.

Thank you truly, for all your support and good advice - if it wasn't for this forum, I might never have known the truth.

- Eve

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Wow, Eve, what a story. Please keep us posted.
I'm glad that you made it home safe and sound. It's a shame that things didn't turn out better here in Russia!
Good luck with all of your future endeavors.

[kazachka]

Eve- I am glad to hear you are home safe now. You did the right thing by going after these creeps and I hope your story will help prevent others from considering working at BKC -Moscow in the future. No one deserves to be treated the way you were. DO keep us posted as much as you legally can in the future. Wish you all the best.

[evelopez]

Hi, everyone. Just wanted to let you know that a very nice woman from IH London is now attempting to get the truth out of BKC. Needless to say, my version of the facts differ dramatically from the facts that BKC is attempting to present. But, yes, IH London is trying to contact BKC and help me.

Also - that emergency fund. Yes, apparently, it DOES exist. It just didn't exist for me, at the time I was still trying to deal with the director of BKC.

Thanks again, everyone, for your wonderful advice and support.

- Eve

[Sashadroogie]

The wheels of justice turn slowly...

Good on you though for sticking with it. And thanks for keeping us updated.

All the best to you, as ever.