Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Two teachers were pulled into the office last Friday and told that a new policy had just been adopted. Starting with them, each teacher will need to start looking for a new job, even if they want to continue working here because the school will advertize their job, interview any applicants and hire the 'best qualified', no matter who it is. If no one better comes along, they can keep their job. For their own good, they should get their documents in order and start sending out applications, just in case.

In my two years at this school there has been a long, long series of losers hired and fired, some of which I've posted about. Most of the losers were easy to spot and should never have been hired in the first place. I don't know why the policy is being applied now except that the school wants to 'up-grade' the teaching staff.

When a very drunk boss told me about the policy, he said I didn't need to worry because the policy would not be applied to me and one other teacher. That is not what the other teachers were told--they were told it applied to all of us. I know the drunk boss told me the truth because the policy started two days after I finished my contract renewal process.

This has got to be one of the stupidest ideas yet. What person in their right mind would accept a job at a place where they have to compete every year with anyone who comes along?

I wonder if this is something my school dreamed up on their own or if other schools have adopted this policy. Anyone know?

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

It`ll be funny if they drop a perfectly functional teacher for a superstar candidate but the starlet never shows up or pulls a runner.

gazz · Joined: 13 Oct 2008

A good idea if it is implemented in a clear and structured way. If not chaos, misunderstandings, and unhappy teachers.......................

I know which one I would place my money on.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

It will just encourage people to try to find better options. I know that if my employer said that to me I'd take it as a sign I'm not appreciated and no longer welcome.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

it's a very radical step, BUT it's probably logical if there truly exists a need to overhaul what has been hitherto a very ineffective teaching staff.

once better teachers are in place, the policy can easily be rescinded. (though I acknowledge the problem with hiring a good teacher if they'll have to go thru this BS as well)

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

berrieh · Joined: 10 Feb 2009

Delete... Deleting (mostly) all posts... Mods please delete

crosbystillsstash · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Yes this boss sounds like an idiot. If he hired/fired morons that's his problem. And then he says"Don't worry, it won't apply to you." Oh really...this is Korea, where people say they never said something on a daily basis.

The problem is most bosses here wouldn't know a good teacher if they had one, and if they did they'd look for someone cheaper because in the end it's all about money.

If he wants to find new teachers in this market, good luck to him. I'd be looking for a better job.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Being asked to re-apply for one's own job is a standard practice used in corporate restructuring. I'm almost sure it originated in the USA.

It's a good deal for the company. They get to let go 'dead wood', and increase productivity and reduce wage demands (the remaining staff are scared to death that they'll lose their jobs in the future).

Sounds like someone has taken Corporate Re-Structuring 101 - and if they have, you can expect more unpleasant surprises in the future.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Synn057 · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:01 pm Post subject:

toonchoon · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Location: Gangnam

maybe they don't want teachers sticking around for more then a year. a more informed teacher is more likely to have more confidence, be more informed about Korea and the systems here, and ask questions the admin don't want to answer.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Given the school's batting average is under 50% in finding people who shouldn't be locked up, and that the school has done nothing to figure out how to sort the wheat from the chaff, I'm predicting they will chase out adequate teachers and replace half of them with people who shouldn't have left their parents' basement.

A year from now, the general quality of the staff won't be any better than it is now.

I'm predicting a comedy of errors.