Job Discussion Forums

[mister_kot]

I just took up a part-time job (4 hours/week) at some place and they asked for my credentials. No problem: B.A./TESOL,passport photo; it's cool. Now they want resume and scan of visa/RP.

Most FT's would see this as normal, but this place is well-known for hiring anyone off the street with or without college education/experience/pulse.

Okay, fine, I'll be your 'legitimate' teacher.

This afternoon, before I have started my 4 hours/week, I received a phone call informing me of a mandatory foreign teachers' meeting that's apparently some kind of awards ceremony where the best FT gets a 300 quai bonus.

I haven't even started teaching my 4 hours a week and they already want to suck away my free time?!

I told the lady over the phone that I couldn't make the meeting. When I was told it was MANDATORY, I said I was busy with other classes (lie). When further pressed, I broke down and told her:

1. I have a full-time job elsewhere that provides me with RP.
2. I live a long way from the school.
3. This kind of meeting is a complete waste of time because I'm not paid for such meeting.
4. I won't take a 30-45minute bus ride to sit in a 20 minute meeting where my main task is to clap for the guy or gal who won 300 RMB.

She was a bit upset. She said all foreign teachers must be there. She said she'd tell the FT's (who are also all part-time, at least one with no qualifications whatsoever) that I had a class and couldn't make it.

I said, 'Tell them whatever you want, I'm sure they won't care'.

Am I the a-hole? What's up with part-time gigs demanding full-time BS? Have I burnt the bridge before I crossed it?

I tried the Chinese way of lying about how busy I was, but it didn't work. I didn't want to take an American dump on her power trip parade, but I did.

31 years old and I'm still a juvenile delinquent...

[Deegan]

Whether you meant to do this or not, your post really shows the dichotomy of western vs. eastern thought.

Since you're the person in China and I'm not, I don't want to tell you all about Chinese culture, but the big things I've learned is that the Chinese value shows of unity and cohesion, and maintaining a good face. Here in America, if you have a good reason to break from the pack, most people, even your superiors will understand.

I know to you it was just "show up to a meeting that had nothing to do with you" but to your supervisor it was important to have all the FTs there to support each other and show the school's prestige in hiring them. My point is that there's more going on than making you show up to a pointless meeting. In a way, for the supervisor it boils down to "What makes you so special? Show up to the meeting."

But you're asking us if you were the jerk here. I can't really say. I've heard plenty of stories where schools try to get the FT to do more work than they were contracted, but if I was invited to attend an awards ceremony, I'd go as a courtesy to my employer, and maybe meet my co-workers.

But really, why take on this job if it's only 4 hours a week and it's a long way from your original school? Is the money really worth the travel costs and time lost?

[mister_kot]

I understand the juxtaposition of west and east here.

Honestly, the money isn't so worth it but, every bit counts.

I'd say I am the jerk. I still haven't learned my lessons about Chinese cohesion and what not, but at the same time, it's only 4 hours/week.

[vikeologist]

With things like this, maybe the really Chinese way is to say, 'It's inconvenient'. They probably wouldn't push you any further, as this basically means.'No', but you as a westerner can feel happy that you haven't lied.

[tomhume89]

I'd say you should go. I've always held the view that you should make a good impression on your employers. That way, they will have a good impression of you and things should go smoothly.

My last job was previously held by a number of, for want of a better word, utter wankers who would moan and complain about everything and give us foreigners a terrible impression to the school. It's going to take years to build up a decent impression again, as, unfortunately, we all seem to be tarred with the same brush.

Obviously it's your choice, but it seems to me a bit picky to not go just for an hour or two of your time in order to make a decent impression.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[Silent Shadow]

It depends how much those four hours a week mean to you.

If it was me, and it was my full-time gig and they insisted, I would go.

However, for a part-time job giving only four hours a week, I would politely refuse to go to a twenty minute meeting that would take me an hour or more to travel to and from. I would, also, be concerned that if I said yes to one, they would find more meetings for me to go to every week, without pay. Even if they insisted, the polite answer would be no, and I wouldn't care much if they gave me the push.

It depends on your individual circumstances, though. If the extra 16 hours cash it brings you a month is important to you, and it's hard to get alternative part-time's, then I would advise you to suck it up and go.

[dog backwards]

Okay, so this outfit is known for "hiring anyone off the streets".

That's you, right?

What are you afraid of?

---That you won't meet or surpass the assumed low criteria?

--- That you'll be discovered to be working illegally?

Sorry. I don't buy the supposed east-meets-west dichotomy. Teaching is a profession, not a pastime. If you're up for the job, then prove it; if not, move on.

If you don't like being scrutinized, then you should move into another profession. Teaching is NOT about YOU.

[Miajiayou]

I wouldn't have gone, either. It is interesting that the school pressed the issue, considering there wouldn't even be any parents there to look at your foreign, English-speaking self. You might find that they are more demanding than your average employer here, and the absurd requests for your (unpaid) time will continue. I hope not!

[wangdaning]

Politely remind them that you have absolutely no obligation to them. If the meeting, whatever, counts towards your four hours then fine. If not, why?

[xjgirl]

what a joke. East versus west my ass. this is simply a power play to see how gullible and controllable you are. Give the Chinese an inch and they'll take a mile.
Make sure they are clear you only work for money

[mat chen]

No such thing as part time jobs in China. I have an eight hour a week teaching job that takes 30 hours to prepare for. Basically I must present everything I teach to the students in Chinese. It takes time for me to translate things. My students are lazy and big complainers. They eat their teachers. I have replaced four teachers that have ran. Three Chinese and one foreigner.
Don't get caught doing this job because you will be in trouble if you are one just coming off the street. You will get a phone call on your mobile from the local authorities. They will tell you how everything will be straighteded out for a sum of money. It is easy for them to do this.

[Trebek]

I would have gone to the meeting just to see whats up and meet the other teachers, bosses, ect.. But no more freebies after that.

[flyingscotsman]

[flyingscotsman]