Job Discussion Forums

[klement]

More specifically, have you accepted a job then backflipped on your decision BEFORE getting to that country ? (not quitting mid-contract).


Did you get penalized, or made to pay arrears or the like?

[naturegirl321]

Usually, if you haven't even started the job, they can't do much of anything.

[denise]

I`ve seen other teachers do it at two different universities that I have worked for. Of course they need to put their own needs first, but when they just don`t turn up it means more stress/work for the others!

d

[ls650]

If you're going to dodge out of something you agreed to, at least let the school know as quickly as possible. It makes a hell of a headache for the administration and staff when a new hire doesn't bother to show up.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[ls650]

[Justin Trullinger]

Due to the hassles of getting a visa for anybody who is actually in Ecuador, we, and many schools, frequently hire from overseas.

And, with some frequency, teachers email a day or so before their supposed arrival to tell me about their family emergency. Then I find myself trying to do my job whilst teaching the hours I had planned for them. While frantically trying to hire a replacement from overseas who can come RIGHT AWAY.

Please do not do this to ANYBODY. It's inhumane. If going isn't the best thing for you right now, by all means back out. (An unhappy teacher isn't an asset anyway.) But do the right thing, and give them a decent amount of notice...call them TODAY, if you're sure.

Regards,
Justin

[Gregor]

Agreed. This is a severely uncool thing to do.

The closest I have come was when I was dealing with a school in VietNam (I don't remember what it was, but it would be unreliable info by now anyway - this was six or seven years ago), and they offered me a job and the whole bit, but they just took too damned long processing me and didn't stay in close touch.
This is something that schools and DoSes need to keep in mind - SOMETIMES the teacher in question really needs to get in country and get to work. I was running out of my own money and overstaying my welcome at my brother's house. I ended up backing out because they just took too long.

The second time wasn't really my fault. I was working for the American Lebanese Language Center in Byblos (AWESOME, beautiful city, Byblos). The school was kind of dodgy, though I feel as though I could probably work there comfortably now.


BUT! Every time I was supposed to get my work permit, they just sent me to immigration with another note asking them to extend my tourist visa. They did, until finally they just stamped it "Not renewable" and copied that message in clear English, French and Arabic.
At that point I just told them that I was going to leave after this time. Each time they lied to me about what the note said, and each time the immigration official got ticked off at ME. I wasn't about to subject myself to that again.

I think those two cases show extenuating circumstances,...and yet I STILL feel a bit guilty about them.

PS - the Google toolbar spell check ROCKS.

[erinyes]

About 2 months ago I was looking all over for another Job. I applied for many many positions, and one lady called me and said they were very interested in me. I asked some questions, and told her that the job sounded great. She that she will write me down, and expect me early February. She said something like "we are both professionals, so I know that you will keep you worked and come." I was on the phone, so of course I said "Sure I will come!"

Since then I have sent a few emails with some more questions. She answered the first one, but didn't answer all of my questions. Then she referred me to someone else who has never replied.

Obviously I am not going to turn up to their school and if they expect me that's their problem.

[lozwich]

I recently backflipped on a job to take a much better job that was offered to me at the last moment because someone else had backflipped. I gave the school I backflipped on about a month and a half's notice but the backflipper on the job I got only gave two weeks. I also had to leave my current job with a week's notice (luckily that was the amount of time stipulated in the contract, and they were keeping me on a week by week basis anyway).

While I'm not going to make this a habit, I don't feel guilty about any of the things I did. Look at it this way, if the school suddenly ran out of work, wouldn't they backflip on you?

However, backflipping with less than a week's notice, especially when international travel is required seems pretty low to me.

Have a good day,
Lozwich.

[klement]

Oh my situation isn't as bad as people make it out to be ..

I haven't accepted it, though I have an offer on the table.

The reason I asked the original question is because I am actually hoping for another offer to come through, but if it doesnt, I would have something to fall back on.

My scheduled departure isnt until July, so if i accepted this and backflipped, I would let them know straight away (if i got the other offer).

This would still give them something like 6 months notice.

I hope it doesnt sound too inhumane or rude :S