Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bukowski]

It would appear that I might have to retract my glowing endorsement of Chungnam Province. Earlier today, I was contacted by my district supervisor (not to be confused with the provincial supervisor). He told me that I would have to come to my main school and sit during the district's winter vacation(sound familiar? ). If I don't, I will not be paid, as he claimed that I am paid by the hour (according to the contract, that is not true, but I just let him speak).

After taking some time to absorb the news, I contacted my provincial supervisor (she is an amazing woman, very kind and professional). I explained what had happened earlier, and I asked her if there had been a change in the provincial policy that I did not know about. She told me that their had not been and mentioned that there must be "some reason" for my supervisor's sudden change in interpreting the contract.

I explained that if that is merely his policy for me, that I would like to be transfered to a more "understanding" district or I would simply resign. She said she would talk to him first thing Monday to find out what was going on and then get back to me. I thanked her and told her I looked forward to her phone call on Monday.

So.................................I don't know anything yet, and I do not want to jump the gun. However, as I mentioned in a previous post, a day before our district's winter vacation started I was asked by my district supervisor to work a special class for ten days. I told him no, explained that I would help to find him a foreign teacher, and that was the end of it (I had asked both of my schools several times if there were going to be any classes during winter and both schools said that there would not be, so I was more than a little displeased with his sudden request).

It is my belief that that is where I made my mistake (he obviously wasn't "asking").

There are several other foreigners in my district, one is taking two months of vacation (he is exempt from the supervisor's rules and the terms of the contract ), one is working a camp (newest teacher to the district ), the other (much older than the rest of us) refused to work as well. I don't care what the others do or not do, but I am not going to stay here if he is going to apply his rules arbitrarily(if I am at the bottom, that is ). Obviously, if I were treated better than the others, I wouldn't mind!

Other than declining to work the class, I haven't had any problems. All I can do now is wait until the phone call.

This whole thing could turn out to be very tricky, as I have been asked to be the foreign coordinator for the new teacher orientation at the end of February for this province. Those planning on coming at the end of February to work for Chungnam take note, I may or may not get to see you.

I am pretty optimistic that this is just an isolated incident within my district that a brief phone call can simply fix. However, if this is a change in the tide, working here might not be such a great gig afterall.

Stay calm and stay tuned. This could simply be my comeuppance , which would no doubt be sweet for some of you .

AC

[ajuma]

[trinity24651]

[mj roach]

When did you say you'd be going on vacation?

[Bukowski]

Bumping this bad boy.

MJR,

Like a stated, I leave as soon as my flight departs, no sooner.

AC

[Voyeur]

Is this a trend? Public Schools not wanting to truly pay teachers for 2-3 months of nothing? That sucks.

[Summer Wine]

Its starting to look that way. It also seems that there is a trend away from the more lenient hagwon attitudes towards being at school only when you have classes.

Though that could be just the one that I have worked for. Though with some of the decesions made around here after being discussed with other Hagwon owners I would not be surprised to find that there is a trend to push for every inch they can get.

[ChuckECheese]

It's time for waygook exodus from K-land.

[babtangee]

[Voyeur]

If Moses is otherwise occupied, we can just resurrect Marley to lead the way.

*Exodus, movement of da people...*

[Rteacher]

Like I noted on a related thread, education ministry officials in Korea have a problem when any schools within their jurisdiction give more vacation time to their foreign teachers than what other schools are giving...It becomes a nuisance for them when teachers who are given more vacation time broadcast it to other teachers, who then refer to how much vacation the other teacher (with probably the same contract...) is getting ...

While I'm in favor of lobbying to get more vacation time for all teachers under standard public school contracts, I think it's probably not a good idea for individual teachers to publicize exactly how much vacation time their school is letting them have beyond what's stated in the contract. This forum is reportedly (and understandably...) monitored by various education ministry officials (or agents...)

I've heard that - at least in Gyeonggi province - the ministry has threatened to penalize and/or fine schools that give more vacation time to native English teachers. So, why post stuff here that can then be used by some politically-motivated minister to show the need for further crackdowns on the more liberal schools?

This is my general take on it - not specifically in response to the particulars of this thread...

[lover.asian]

If you are properly qualified and experienced, the answer is simple, go somewhere else.

Korea isn't the only place in Asia to teach ESL, and quite frankly, the quality of life almost everywhere else is so much better than Korea that you won't regret choosing another Asian country.

[TheBrain]

Still having problems with your employer, bukowski? Can merrilee help you? She has the same employer, right?

[wylies99]

Bukowski blacklisted his employer? WTF?

Like I say to everyone else who posts these- thanks for the warning.

[Roch]