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WishfulDreamer
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
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 Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:52 am Post subject: School changing start-date = trouble? |
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I'm new to these boards (and to teaching in Korea), so I'd appreciate any guidance you can give me with this. I have a question regarding the implications of a 'verbal' change in start-date on my contract.
I am scheduled (and I signed a contract) to start Dec. 1. The school just emailed me to ask if I'd start Nov. 26, which I have no problem with. However, is this a sign that they will start changing other aspects of the contract? Does this open the entire contract up to negotiation? If I accept one change, does this set a precedent that I must accept all changes? Should I get a new contract with the new start date?
As the contract is a one-year contract, does this mean I work Nov.26, 09 - Nov. 26, 10? Or do I still work until the end date stated in the original contract?
I hope that I am concerned for no reason, and I look forward to your input. |
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pangaea
Joined: 20 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:55 am Post subject: |
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I'm not really sure if that means big trouble or not. Honestly, I think probably not. Did you find out why they want you to start earlier? Since it's just a few days, maybe there is a simple explanation. Maybe they want you to start training a few days earlier or maybe they have a teacher who is leaving a few days earlier than they thought. I would try to find out why they need you earlier and ask if everything else in the contract will stay the same. I would keep it professional and polite at this stage. Have they done anything else that made you uneasy?
IMHO it doesn't sound like something too serious. Maybe some of the more experienced people on this board will have some more input on the situation. |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:55 am Post subject: |
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Well, this means you have no apartment now. This can be ok, but you need to make sure they have a place for you or will get you a place when you come to Korea.
Find out about transportation too. Who will pay for it?
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| Should I get a new contract with the new start date? |
This happened with me too, but it had to do more with me getting my visa stuff in order last year. I suggest you talk to them about signing a new contract when you get there.
If you already have a signed contract you like, keep it. If they start changing things when you get there, then you won't feel pressured because you signed for previous changes. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:07 am Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| I suggest you talk to them about signing a new contract when you get there. |
I disagree. If the OP is willing, then a new contract (with tjhe ammended dates: Start - November 26, 2009; End - November 25, 2010) should be signed before coming to K-land. Otherwise, he/she may end up 'donating' five days of free labour to the employer.
OP,
If you do sign an ammended contract, make sure the only changes are the dates.  |
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yingwenlaoshi
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!
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| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: School changing start-date = trouble? |
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| WishfulDreamer wrote: |
I'm new to these boards (and to teaching in Korea), so I'd appreciate any guidance you can give me with this. I have a question regarding the implications of a 'verbal' change in start-date on my contract.
I am scheduled (and I signed a contract) to start Dec. 1. The school just emailed me to ask if I'd start Nov. 26, which I have no problem with. However, is this a sign that they will start changing other aspects of the contract? Does this open the entire contract up to negotiation? If I accept one change, does this set a precedent that I must accept all changes? Should I get a new contract with the new start date?
As the contract is a one-year contract, does this mean I work Nov.26, 09 - Nov. 26, 10? Or do I still work until the end date stated in the original contract?
I hope that I am concerned for no reason, and I look forward to your input. |
Just keep the original contract dates and start early. Yes, it might not be legal, but it doesn't matter. Just get paid for it. They should pay you for the remaining days of November on their usually payday in December. So if your contractual payday is on the 5th of every month, it means you will get cash on Dec 5th for what you worked in Nov. If you need money, it's a good thing. |
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WishfulDreamer
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:13 am Post subject: Thanks |
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| Thanks everyone, those responses really help. |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:49 am Post subject: |
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| Otherwise, he/she may end up 'donating' five days of free labour to the employer. |
How can the school enforce work beyond dates in the contract? If the visa is issued, how can immigration say you must overstay your visa?
I suggest again, come to Korea, get your bearings. Find out what the country is about in person before you make changes.
The only changes that happen here in Korea are ones where the school gets advantage over you. Try asking them to sign a new contract. See what they do. If they want you to sign a new contract it WILL ONLY BE because it benefits them.
By signing a new contract in this case, you are signing up for 5 days more of work (as the example was). Why would you do this abroad? Come to Korea and find out if it is actually a school worth earning ~500,000 won at. |
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Quack Addict
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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| is this a sign that they will start changing other aspects of the contract? |
Yes! |
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