Job Discussion Forums

[Jetset]

i've just started my Job and its not at all what I expected. Its pure exhaustion and I hate it. My contract says I should give one month notice before quiting.

I am worried about getting paid though.

Was thinking of just working the first month and then Leaving town... I know its not the nicest thing to do, but by the same token I dont wanna give notice, work for a month and then get screwed for my pay. At least this way I know I'll get paid.

Advice Please.....

[spiral78]

If it's your first month in TEFL, try to remember that it all gets easier with experience!
What are the big problems with your job? Too much travel, long hours? Does the school you're working for have a reputation for not paying?

Of course, it's better to talk to management - try to work out something fair to both sides, if that's at all an option.

[denise]

I`d recommend giving notice. Your school will likely need time to replace you. And even if you despise your school and don`t give a damn about helping them, think of your fellow teachers: If you just hop on a train in the middle of the night, it will be up to your colleagues to cover your classes. More work for them, with little notice! And, looking more long-term, for every teacher who does a runner in the middle of the night, schools get less and less trusting towards their staff. They might change working conditions, visa policies, etc., to protect themselves from teachers who up and leave with no notice. In the end, it is the future teachers who will suffer.

d

[Mideatoo]

Well… if you are really unhappy, and that they really “screwed-you-up” per say. If you know that they aren’t fulfilling their contract, you have two options:

- Have a professional meeting with the leader(s) and pencil point all discrepancies. Not knowing potential repercussions, positive or negative, you are maybe exposing yourself to more troubles.

- If you think that they hate you, or they are just “bad people”, there is no point in negotiating. Take off after 6pm to your favorite destination.

***
I would not suggest giving any notice in any case, as they will be really upset, and might make your world even more miserable. [Retaliations?]

BUT, it is my experience on Dave’s, that when a teacher rightfully blames his employer, he always explains why.......... and so far..........

[Seeker of truth]

Doesn't the Czech Republic have the equivalent of a Labor Board which monitors such labor disputes? If your employer really is not living up to their contract, I would think there would be a governmental agency which can enforce the country's laws.

Please enlighten me.

[spiral78]

The original poster is likely long gone....though maybe he/she stayed to try to negotiate. But, if you reread the o.p., it doesn't indicate that the school hasn't lived up to contract details.

It happens pretty often that (particularly in the case of newbie teachers) teachers are obliged to travel many hours around cities to get to the business offices where their students work. This may very well account for the o.p.'s complaint of exhaustion. Also, Czechs start work early in the day, often at 7.00 am. To get to my first class every single day for my first year, I left home at 6.00 am. If you're going out at all, this can be a kicker! Finally, the first few months of any new job are pretty stressful....
My point is that it's likely the school has not broken any contractual obligations, so there'd be little to bring before a board.

Another important point is that a teacher who is new to the country, just beginning a new job, likely does not yet have complete paperwork in terms of work permits. Customarily, teachers start working when the paperwork has been filed, technically a minor breach of labor laws. However, to try to bring some sort of case while one's status is not solid would be problematic.

Finally, (ultimately) the legal system in the CR is not as supportive of worker claims as systems in Canada, for example. Particularly without a strong grasp of the local language, it would need to be a really important case to be worth the trouble and expense of bringing it up. Essentially, a new teacher can't really expect to find the same legal supports of his/her home country - each country has individual systems.

[Hamett]

Excellent advice!

[Jetset]

labour board? lol I'm not at all worried about that for some rinkie-dink esl job.

my main concern is actually the clause in my contract that says 30 days notice must be given for termination.

Are there any legal repurcutions for me in breaking this term? because the school will fall with out me (not that I care since they treat me like shit!)

[spiral78]

Hey, it's good to hear from you again, Jetset! Kudos to you for not simply taking off.............
Do you absolutely feel that there's no way to go to the management of your school, explain the issues from your perspective, and try to work out something in a face-to-face manner? Because, if you could even try this, it would be better all around - either they'll offer some changes that would make your life easier, or they'll know why you need to get out, and you could hopefully negotiate some kind of payment guarantees.

It's probably true that the only repercussion for your taking off without notice is that you'll have no letter of recommendation from your first employer. You would basically have to ignore that time period on your C.V. (I think you said you'd just been there a short time, right?). And there could be some difficulty if you were job hunting in Prague again, though even then you could probably find some school - but conditions aren't likely to be much different anywhere else.
The travel and split shifts and early starts are pretty standard............

What exactly is stressing you beyond what you want to deal with? Are things getting any better as you gain experience? What do you want to do in the future? It might help if you could clarify what you want to do after leaving this school..

Good luck!

[Jetset]

Spiral -

I cant talk to management. The manager is very set in his ways and he knows best since many years teaching blah blah blah. his way or the highway kinda deal. "but i have a phd in eduction..."

I'm actually lucky not having to travel (5min walk to work) and there are many aspects of the job which are good. But it basically comes down to pay and benefits for the hours worked. I thought I could do it, but when I think that I could be earning wayy more elsewhere in europe (where I speak the language) and the fact that the teaching is in long blocks - 6 hours straight (very exhausting).... Its a bit much for about $8an hour (my previous job paid $30).

Add to this that my boss is extremely negative. I've worked 2 weeks now and I was very sick for one of them, and nothing but pages and pages (literally) of negative comments. A Bit de-moralizing really.

Unfortunately I'm getting to know a few people around here now and having fun outside of work, so I dont really wanna leave! hehe

oh well.. we'll see how it goes Ill keep yall posted

[spiral78]

Thanks for the details. On the financial side, it's an everlasting ouch. It actually sounds like you've got something of a plum job for Prague, but obviously wages aren't going to be equivalent to the Western side of the continent yet. I suppose the trick is to try to forget comparison, and enjoy the lifestyle of the city - assuming that you earn enough to do so! Best of luck.

[Hamett]

Excellent advice!