Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LydiaSarah]

I'm with GEPIK.

Ok, I was just told 5 minutes ago by my school that I had to make up every class I'd missed for training, demo lessons, and sick days. This means that for the next two weeks I'll be teaching about 6 classes a day. I'm so beside myself with anger right now.

I'll back up a bit. I've been here three months now, and I take the job seriously. I plan good lessons, I show up early and stay late, I teach every afterschool class they throw my way. Yesterday was the GEPIK training seminar. They registered me but never confirmed whether I was going or not. I checked the website Tuesday night and saw my name and made plans to go. I figured my school just hadn't told me as they never really tell me anything. So the next morning I get an angry phone call from my handler asking where I am. I explain to her that I'm at the training she signed me up for. She claims I was never confirmed by GEPIK to go. I directed her to the website and she said she'd check and call me back.

No call back.

So I come in this morning and this is the first thing she springs on me. I really don't know what to do. Are they allowed to pull this on me? I feel like I work really hard and do a good job and they completely take advantage of me. I'm really upset.

[cruisemonkey]

"No, no, NO!"

[LydiaSarah]

So I just asked her if I could set up a meeting with the Vice Principal and Principal, as well as herself. She starts yelling at me. She can't understand why I'm upset. She can't understand why its difficult for me to follow Korean 'customs' even after I explain to her that they never tell me what I'm supposed to do. I don't even know what to do anymore.

[teachergirltoo]

Keep control over the situation. If she raises her voice to you, in a low calm voice tell her that "she will never speak to you again in that tone". Get your contract in hand and go set up the appt with the VP and Principal yourself. You DO NOT have to make up any of that time. Have your contract in hand and act professionally as you carry on the discussion. I know this part is hard because we all have different personalities - but don't let them see you as flustered or weak. Put on a professional business demeanor and stick to it.

[Snowleopard]

If the want you to teach 6 classes a day for two weeks, they are going to have to pay you overtime.

[nomad-ish]

it's my understanding that the only way they can make you do make-up classes is if you're teaching under your 22 weekly hours.

point to your contract and tell her you teach 22 hours a week, whether they are regular or make-up classes it doesn't matter, but you don't teach more than 22 hours a week. if she starts yelling at you i would walk away from her immediately and set-up an appointment to speak to the VP. you can bring up the issue of the excessive hours and her behaviour towards you at the same time

[JJJ]

No, I do not have to make up classes and neither do the K-teacher or teachers who go with me to a "training" seminar or skit contest or any other official leave..............or sick leave as well.

If, they keep on pressing this, remember, you will have 30 hours or more/week. They gotta pay if they want you to play. Also, tell them that you need your co-teacher with you for every single make up class because by law, you are not a teacher only an assistant. That should remind your sweet, little co-teacher to keep her trap shut next time. Hope it works out for ya.

[LydiaSarah]

Thanks for the advice. Supposedly a meeting has been set up, and she backed off on the make-up classes for mandatory training, but she won't budge on sick days yet. I told her I was getting in touch with GEPIK and I'd show her their reply. She still doesn't seem to understand that it's not that I don't like teaching, it the fact that she throws this on me after I've already been here 3 months with no notice that bothers me. I'll let you know how things work out.

[fromtheuk]

I would say be polite and assertive. Don't be a doormat.

The number of public school nightmare threads on this forum confirm what the 'sage' fromtheuk has been saying for a long time now.

It takes a few months to begin to realize your colleagues are not quite what they first seemed to be.

All the best.

[Easter Clark]

A sick day is just that. Nowhere in your contract does it say you have to make up any classes you miss while you're sick. Reading stuff like this makes me glad to be leaving GEPIK.

If worse comes to worse, refuse to do the classes and get fired (although I think wrongful termination would come into play). Then go cancel your visa and find a better job.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Fishead soup]

Can you show movies with your laptop computer. If you can just do that.
Most of the Korean teachers are just doing that anyways this time of the year. Just don't sweat it.

[Ramen]

[antoniothegreat]

[crusher_of_heads]

[LydiaSarah]

So, first my handler met with the VP, who said I still had to make up sick day classes and demo lesson day classes, but not mandatory training. I told her that paid sick days aren't paid if I'm making up the work, and that I'd be contacting Dain Bae about it. About ten minutes ago she came back to me saying she'd called the principal, and he said I in fact do not have to make up the classes. I apologized for upsetting her, thanked her for working through this with me, and am now going about my business until the next curve ball they throw.

I'm not a very confrontational person (a big weakness in Korea) so I appreciate the encouragement to stand my ground. Thanks!