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Rock the boat on my last month?

 
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tfunk



Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland

PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:03 am    Post subject: Rock the boat on my last month? Reply with quote

I work 7 fifty minute classes back to back with 5 minute breaks in between. I think it's against Korean labor law. I'd like a half hour break after my fifth class. My hagwon director is volatile and I'm not sure how she'll react if I approach her. We go through a lot of teachers at our small hagwon and the director brings me in for talks about how the person she just fired was a psychopath, mentally unbalanced etc.

I have a little over a month left. If I rock the boat now she could fire me without having to pay me my severance. If I create a fuss on my last month she could make things very difficult for me.

Should I grin and bear it?
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nyla54



Joined: 17 Jun 2009

PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Honestly, if you can get through another month without extreme pain, I vote to not rock the boat. It sounds like a really grueling schedule, but you've made it this far in your contract. If your employer is truly the way you describe them, I would not do ANYTHING. Based on the posts, people get fired all the time when they complain/mention/aren't willing to comply with the set teaching schedule. With only one more month in your contract, I think your employer has the most to gain in that she avoids paying out your severance. Plus, if she has been firing teachers left and right as described, I really doubt she would hesitate to fire you too.

I definitely concur that the Korean culture is heavily based on saving/showing face. You "rebelling" the last month can be seen as a threat and sign of disrespect to your employer--it's your last month so you're going to do whatever the hell pleases you. In order for her to save face, she has to show you (and others) that she will not be pushed around like that. Sure your employer can take it the way you are coming from, but again...you don't describe her as the type of person that would.
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Carla



Joined: 21 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:35 am    Post subject: Re: Rock the boat on my last month? Reply with quote

tfunk wrote:
I work 7 fifty minute classes back to back with 5 minute breaks in between. I think it's against Korean labor law. I'd like a half hour break after my fifth class. My hagwon director is volatile and I'm not sure how she'll react if I approach her. We go through a lot of teachers at our small hagwon and the director brings me in for talks about how the person she just fired was a psychopath, mentally unbalanced etc.

I have a little over a month left. If I rock the boat now she could fire me without having to pay me my severance. If I create a fuss on my last month she could make things very difficult for me.

Should I grin and bear it?


grin and bear it

You made it this far, wait it out. Getting fired for nothing is one thing, you can still fight for your severance (if you are still in the country). But getting fired for a reason (even a flimsy one) can cost you your severance. Just do the count down... only 3 more weeks, 3 more weeks.... only 2 more weeks, only 2 more weeks....

On a lighter side, this has been in my head since I read skimmed your title.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5AAcgtMjUI
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iggyb



Joined: 29 Oct 2003

PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Finish the contract and get what you've worked for, then post the details of the school on the TESOLer sites. It's helpful and vengeful.
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okayden223



Joined: 05 Jun 2009
Location: Incheon

PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah a little over a month? You're on the home stretch. Why does a half hour break become important enough to complain about now? I would just continue on as you obviously have since you've been there. Just remember that should you choose to teach again you'll have a year of experience and know a bit more about the type of job you'd really like. Good luck with that.
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tfunk



Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland

PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

okayden223 wrote:
Why does a half hour break become important enough to complain about now?.


Do you mean why is a break important or why is it important at this point in time?

My schedule changed this week and that's why it's now an issue. Also, the new teacher that arrives will probably get my current schedule.
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tfunk



Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland

PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

iggyb wrote:
Finish the contract and get what you've worked for, then post the details of the school on the TESOLer sites. It's helpful and vengeful.


I don't want vengence...I haven't even raised the issue with her. This is part of the problem, she might or might not be reasonable. If I go spreading bad publicity without knowing how she will react then I'm the one being unreasonable and vindictive.

I'll make her aware of the issue, without seeming like I'm complaining.
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iggyb



Joined: 29 Oct 2003

PostPosted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you don't feel the place deserve a strong warning to others, then of course you shouldn't bash it online.

However, although you point out that you have not brought this issue up yet and thus can't in good conscience speak out against her, you did write in the first post several items that make it sound like a typical bad hakwon.

Quote:
We go through a lot of teachers at our small hagwon and the director brings me in for talks about how the person she just fired was a psychopath, mentally unbalanced etc.


That doesn't sound too good to me...

Of course, TESOLers have no obligation to post about a bad school. I'm just saying -- whether or not she has chopped your head off on this specific item or not, you'd be justified in posting negative info about the school.
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