Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Vix]

Ok so let me start off by saying I like my boss usually. He has been quite good to me in the first few months helping me settle in, buying me dinner etc. He always says we are friends and what not and is generally a nice guy. Only problem is the niceness now feels like he is just trying to have way too much control over my life! He has came up with this fun idea of every second Sunday for the next four months that we should visit the kindergardiners houses with no pay to I quote: Make the children feel they are important to us. He has "discussed" this with me 4 times now each time I have said hell to the no I work my ass off during the week and need my weekends to keep my sanity. And low and behold I check the weekly schedule for next month and he has wrote to the parents that we are coming over. What part of no didn't he hear. This is definetely not in my contract and he's taking me for a mug. Has anyone else ever done this?

[northway]

Wow. Tell him he can have fun.

Someone is going to respond to this thread saying you need to give a little bit more though.

[southernman]

I don't think anyone on this board would say, yes do it.

Simply, because I don't think anyone is that much of a paid for commodity

You are doing the right thing. Don't back down just be polite but firm in stating sorry, but I'm not working Sunday's ever

If there are any so called teachers out there that say yes do this. A word of advice. Some people here take our work seriously and therefore expect to be treated as professionals not mere sycophants(sp) to any ridiculous demand.

[Hotpants]

Hmm, I think that Korean employers already having made their mind up to do something regardless of the employees' interests or what may or may not be in a contract, may be a familiar story.

It seems like you sadly have little choice but to cooperate or to face a fall out with your boss. But, definitely if you cooperate on this one, it will likely snowball into other PR 'events' later on. Maybe you need to start having an exit plan in case it all turns really nasty.

[cmr]

[jonpurdy]

Nip this as soon as possible. Mention that you've seen the schedule and that you already said no. And that under NO circumstances will you be working on a Sunday. Be polite yet firm. Say that even if it was paid you wouldn't do it since you need Sundays for rest.

Regardless of what it does to the relationship between you and your boss, you must do this. He won't fire you over it since it's so far out of the contract. Though I'd plan an exit strategy in case he's really insane (and you've been at that place for less than six months).

[joeteacher]

Oh man, what? Work on Sunday? No, extra pay? Yeah, say no. Of course, say no. Make a fake excuse if you have to.

Just out of curiosity: How long are you supposed to be there? How many houses? What are you going to do, just hang out? Or are you to teach?

[caribmon]

I would tell him "Dude this is a crazy idea. We're not going to look good... we're going to look creepy and weird. I'm gonna get in trouble if we do this. I'm not going to kids houses. Nothing good can happen from this.

Plus you can't teach outside of the building so use that excuse "it violates the E2 visa".

Okay, teach a few hours of overtime for free maybe, but going to their houses. aaaaawaaa no way.

[lifeinkorea]

Two approaches.

1) Don't show up. Don't be home. Do something else. Stay committed to the schedule you want to teach. Find a school that agrees. The ball is in his court then.

2) I work now for a native English speaker, so this is NOT a communication problem. Luckily, he listens though after he doesn't listen. Next time he doesn't I thought about getting some colored paper and simply handing it to him with a clear message indicating my commitment to what I feel I am obligated to do and what exactly I am unwilling to do. That way, when he screams "You got to tell me man when you aren't coming", I can tell him I gave him that "red tape". They simply ignore you when you hint and give signs you weren't included in the plans.

In your case, you can write out, "I will not teach Kindergarten students on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday, Saturday, or Sunday."

If you agreed to any of the days, then you are asking for it. Kindergarten through second graders deserve NO teaching. They are complete selfish babies and are raised by pampering grown up adults calling themselves parents. They dart pencils in areas the sun doesn't shine, they throw other school supplies around like a gladiator sport, and when you reason with them they imitate you to put the final nail in the crazy coffin....

Ok, ok, maybe that is the long message , but you get the idea. Let your boss know how much you appreciate what they give but outline your boundaries and go from there. Stand firm.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

I'd just laugh out loud, suddenly stop laughing, point at him with crazy eyes and say "No."

[BoholDiver]

Just say no and stick with it. I would avoid saying 'I'll do it if you pay me.' It will make you look like a moneygrubber.

If he goes ahead with it, don't show up. Prepare for a fight, but bring a copy of your contract with you.

[northway]

[Vix]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[oldfatfarang]

This problem of yours is so ridiculous that I have to call troll on your post.

Haven't you ever heard of the English word: "No!"