Korean Job Discussion Forums

[irwinpryce]

My director has asked another member of staff to ask me if i will come in to the school on sundays (10-6) to teach the other staff english.

Im contracted for 10-6 monday to fridays with sta and suns off.

Obviously i said fu';k off in more words but just interested in hearing if this is a normal request?

Given that they clearly dont give a rats ass about the contact here, im in my 1st week and im already working more hours, what other ways will the school try and stiff me, just want to know so I am prepared?

[Underwaterbob]

They really asked you to come in for 8 hours to teach the staff? Where do you work?

[mnhnhyouh]

And how much were they offering?

h

[irwinpryce]

kindergarden hagwon in gwangju, the staff are really nice, and the kids are great fun. I came here with an open mind and knew that in Korea contracts mean jack, so I did expect this stuff to happen.
Iv only been here a week or so, i think its pathetic they would even put anyone in the position of having to say yes/no to that on their first week. I am raging that on my 2nd day I was told I have to go to some training thing (which i have been told will be all in korean) one saturday per month- not in contract and i had arrangements to meet a bunch of english speakers and my recruiter for the 1st time. Anyone around gwangju let me know by the way as im a newbie. thanks

[Underwaterbob]

I'm sure if you explain to them that you will learn nothing from the training as it will all be in Korean you can get out of it. If they say no then tell them simply you are not going as it is not in your contract.

Bosses here will push and push to see what they can make their employees do but generally if you stand up for yourself they'll learn.

[brento1138]

Say NO! to Sunday work! And they should have offered u a huge raise ...

[DRAMA OVERKILL]

They are trying to take advantage of you, clearly. But, do you have any desire to do it (more pay?)?? If not, flat out tell them no. Simple.

[Dome Vans]

It would appear they are testing the water. If your contract says saturdays and sundays off then that's what you get.

The fact it's the first week is why they are asking. Say politely no, you're very busy the rest of the week and need to have your weekends to re-cuperate. Kindergarten is very tiring. I teach elementary PS once a week, any more and I'd be knacked.

Stick up for yourself now and they will ease off. Maybe previous teachers did it, so they think they'll get away with it with you too.

[mnhnhyouh]

Explain that your weekends are so valuable you will only sell part of them, and that will cost 100,000 won per hour, cash in hand. Further, tell them that if they insist, you will be happier back in your own country, and could they start looking for another teacher.

They will back off, I think.

h

[ED209]

Giving into requests like this only shows weakness. They won't reward but only see what else they can get away with. It also makes it harder for other teachers as your response will become the expected one.

You can be diplomatic smile and explain how important your weekends are, and that you wouldn't have taken the job had you known you'd have to give up your weekends. But at the end of the day the answer is 'no'. Stop going to these weekend meetings too.

[CentralCali]

[Dome Vans]

[irwinpryce]

thanks for the advice, iv said no to sunday teaching- even the idea is taking the piss, the teachers in my school are sound as a pound, but i have been given the impression that my director is a chancer, she has me working from 9.10 on a friday, and my contract is 10-6 they said it was a 1 off thing today but it appears that my timetable now starts at 9.10 every friday.
They have me in for these training days in another city, depart at 8am saturday once a month (was not in the contract) and asked if i would teach other teachers on sundays 10-6 no extra pay. It has been agreed that I can teach them during the week, i now await after hours english teaching requests from the boss, i will have to say no.

[nicholas_chiasson]

[xtchr]