Job Discussion Forums

nickole28 · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

hi,

does anyone have experience working with the hess corporation in taiwan?

it looks and sounds like it would be a good place to work at?

thanks

mjed9 · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 242

I hate to sound short ... but can you please do a search on this ... there are a ton of threads already out there on this subject

kait · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Lungtan, Taiwan

Nicole,

I work for Hess now. Mind you, I'm a very new employee; I have just started teaching classes this week, but I have a lot of friends who have worked for Hess much longer.

Like almost anything, Hess has good and bad qualities. On the plus side, they can be very helpful if you have difficulties with your visas or passports or other necessary things. They help you find a place to live, and they do a lot of the leg work for you when it comes to acquiring legal employment here. I lost my backpack in Taipei, and they made the phone calls to the bus company, the police station and such for me. They also drug me around Taipei in a taxi to apply for a new passport and such. Fortunately, my backpack did turn up. So, they took me back to the police station, consulate (not called that) to cancel everything. They were also going to take me to the doctor to replace my prescription meds. They have a very specific method of teaching. I was worried that I'd be stuck teaching in ways I knew would be ineffective and annoying. I'm actually rather pleased with the teaching methods -- especially when it comes to their kindy classes. They have a huge supply of flashcards, educational cds, books and other supplies. Be prepared to sing a lot though. Singing is a big part of the process. And the biggest positive is that Hess has been around for a long time, and it seems to have good standing with the Taiwan officials. They say it's because they can claim to be a daycare. More likely, it's because the correct officials have been paid off.

There are some negatives, however. The hours can be long. The kindy classes begin at 9:00 AM and last until noon. Then the "language school classes begin at 2:00 PM, although most don't start until much later. Most likely, you'll end up with a class that ends at 8:30 PM. Between classes, you have correcting and preparation to do. Most staff just hang around the school all day or will run brief errands or take a lunch break during the day. The pay is also not the greatest. I get paid 560/hour, which is okay pay, but a person can actually earn much more and have a more compact day by teaching elsewhere. There are the typical communication problems with Hess management. If they tell you, "Maybe your should play with the kids more and be more physical with them," they could be giving you a suggestion, or they could be considering that a verbal warning and taking you one step closer to losing your kindy contract. There are people who leave Hess very dissatisfied. I don't know if it is more or less than other schools in Taiwan or not. Hess is also big business. Don't be fooled into believing otherwise.

So, make of it whatever you will. I have had a good experience so far, but I know of others who have not. I hope this helps.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

I'm sure Nicole is having a fine time, but you really shouldn't have to work split shifts. That is a really no no with most people. I can imagine she is also working Saturdays. So during the week she starts at 9am and probably finishes at 8:30pm (11 1/2 hours (with maybe a few dead hours hanging around midday) and then does 9 to 5pm on Saturdays. If you think that sounds ok fire away.

On the plus side NT$560 is not absolutely terrible and most of the big chains do have a lot resources to help you out.

taiwazza · Joined: 11 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

I have been working for HESS for over 3 years now and like anything the company has it's positives and negatives. However the major thing that makes HESS a good option is that you have a main office that employs foreigners which means that if you have any problems with documentation, police, ARC etc etc you can talk to someone who understands your position and will back you up. If you work for a smaller company you can be left to fend for yourself.

The hours, rates of pay, work conditions etc vary from location to location but overall I think the standard of HESS schools is pretty good and most people enjoy working for them.

Hope this has been helpful Smile