Job Discussion Forums

[laurelb007]

I'm working part-time at an institute (that I won't name). At the end of the year, as you all know, professional students are very busy and frequently don't show up for classes. The policy was always that teachers would wait for 30 minutes and leave with the assumption that the students would not show up, but still getting paid because the class was not canceled ahead of time. Now, "to avoid complaints", the administration has changed the policy and teachers must stay for the entire class (even four hour classes on Saturdays) waiting, knowing the students are not going to show up. To me this seems unprofessional and shows little respect for the teacher's time. What do you all think? What is the policy at other institutes?

[Ai]

That seems a bit unreasonable to me. At my institute we have to wait half of the class time.

[comenius]

I agree that seems a bit harsh. Are these private 1 on 1 classes or groups?

For 1 on 1's I think I'd be far more inclined to expect the school to allow a teacher to go after a shorter period of time.

If it's a whole class I suppose I might expect to wait a little longer as there might be a better chance of someone showing up.

Anyway you slice it, though, no shows always have been and always will be a major annoyance!

[Gringo Greg]

It's stupid, but you are getting paid for the class, right? I'd just take along a book or a notebook and get some work done.

[Guy Courchesne]

Ditto GG. If you're paid the full time you're there, what's the difference if the students show up or not? Paid free time is how I see it. Read a book, practice Spanish, pick your nose...it's on the boss's dime!