Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hiu254]

My hagwan has asked me to work 12 hour shifts in January as part of an 'intensive program'. I stupidly assumed that this meant a massive overtime payment, but it turns out that no, it doesn't. I don't get an extra penny. I have done my best to not throw the director through the nearest window, and he is now "considering the situation." I know I am being taken for a ride, and I need to know whether this sort of thing is standard practice in all schools, or have I just been unlucky? And is it time for a swift flight home?

[wayfarer]

Taking a look at the contract you signed is the first step...

[hiu254]

My contract says that I should be doing 6 hours a day in the classroom, which I am not. Nowhere near. Lots of seatwarming. So I know that technically they've got me, and that legally they don't even have to pay me the full wage, but I've told them to pay me the overtime rate or I'll walk away. Today. So, I'm praying that they need me more than I need them, or I'll be left unemployed and pennyless. But I'm here for twelve hours every day which is exhausting (in a boring sort of way), so they know what they can do with themselves. Its a shame though because they have been really good to me over the first months, buying me meals and drinks and spending alot of their free time making sure I'm OK, especially in the first few weeks.

[hiu254]

My contract says that I should be doing 6 hours a day in the classroom, which I am not. Nowhere near. Lots of seatwarming. So I know that technically they've got me, and that legally they don't even have to pay me the full wage, but I've told them to pay me the overtime rate or I'll walk away. Today. So, I'm praying that they need me more than I need them, or I'll be left unemployed and pennyless. But I'm here for twelve hours every day which is exhausting (in a boring sort of way), so they know what they can do with themselves. Its a shame though because they have been really good to me over the first months, buying me meals and drinks and spending alot of their free time making sure I'm OK, especially in the first few weeks.

[howie2424]

I'm confused. Your contract says 6 hours teaching time a day. Are they asking you to teach twelve hours a day or are they asking you to teach six hours a day over a twelve hour span? If it's the latter then you are not entitled to overtime unless the contract also stipulates the hours within which your classes are to be taught (e.g between 1:30 pm and 9:30 pm) and you are working outside of those time boundaries.

[hiu254]

Yeah I thought so, I'm in the school for twelve hours every day but I'm actually in the classroom for about four/five, and the contract doesn't actually stipulate any hours within which to teach my classes. Looks like I'll just have to do the month then? The school has told me explicity that this is not a regular occurence and I should not expect them to ask me to do this again, and that my actual salary is fixed even if I work less than the six hours. Hmm.

[I'm no Picasso]

Maybe you could at least strike a deal where you don't have to be in the school for all twelve of those hours? I have no idea how this would go over, but if you can prove your lesson plans are in order, and since they know you are unhappy about this situation, maybe they'll at least give you that. It's not ideal as you're still technically trapped in that area, but if you could get out in between classes, it might not be so bad.

[poet13]

Buy yourself a little notebook. In that notebook keep track of every minute of work during your twelve hour days.
I can see you doing interviews, welcoming parents (parents free english practise), handing out flyers, posing for pictures, invigilating tests, all kinds of crap. It's ALL work.
I bet you find yourself doing more than 6 contract hours a day.


PS: That they don't give you your full work hours is not your problem. It's their problem, and damn skippy they have to pay you your full wages regardless.

edit. PPS - Thirded. Don't sign anything.