Korean Job Discussion Forums

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

I've never once used the word "unfair". I agree my boss who required deskwarming when he canceled or couldn't fill classes was within his rights. And I was within my rights to vote with my feet. That's justice enough for me. The Korean teachers at that hogwon had an even higher turnover than the foreign teachers as well, so I don't think they particularly disagreed with me.

Perhaps I was wrong when I implied that it isn't NETs' fault that public school teachers are required to deskwarm. If they had trouble finding people to sign on at public schools because of deskwarming, they wouldn't require it as part of the job. However, it's clear from this thread that a lot of NETs now not only tolerate deskwarming, but enthusiastically support it. I won't try to change your minds, and I won't be competing for your jobs either.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

As someone who has worked for an hourly wage, and was told that if business was slow I MUST go home and therefore not be able to earn more money, I'd take deskwarming anyday.

We also had dead times between busy times. The one rule was never complain that there is nothing to do. The boss would always find something for you to do, no matter how menial. Now if you were on the ball with things and that time between lunch and dinner was dead, the boss would be cool and let you take longs smoke breaks or wander to the corner store or read the newspaper.

Getting paid to do nothing and you still complain. Wow. I just don't understand some people and their entitlement mindset.

I know 5.5 billion people around the world who would kill to have a job where they get to deskwarm for the amount of money we make.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

RangerMcGreggor · Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Location: Somewhere in Korea

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

RangerMcGreggor · Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Location: Somewhere in Korea

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

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

I thought I would have been content with desk-warming, but I got one of the schools that actually expects you to, you know, work. In the time other people doing the same job on the same contract and making the same amount of money got to spend writing novels and watching TV. Total disappoint.

I never got to find out if desk-warming was really as bad as people say. (Or as good as I was expecting.) Crying or Very sad

Deranged Ranger · Joined: 13 Sep 2011

You may not have used the word "unfair" but you are using other words like "nonsense" "absurd" and "irational" so with all due respect you are in fact splitting hairs, the bottom line is that you feel its is an "unfair" practice given that you should be able to teach and then go home.

If you searched for and found a job that didnt require it then hey good for you, I am honestly happy for you, no bull, but being paid to do what you want is hardly a bad thing.

As another person noted in other jobs you can be sent home its dead, for docked pay, or if you stay you are doing menial crap. As a server back in Canada one out of 5 shifts I was sent home made no wage and no tips, and if I wanted to stay I made my legal 3 hours, and was scrubbing wall grout with toothbrushes and bleach.

Also as TUM says, not one of us supports deskwarming, but we understand that it exists, and make the best of it given the trade off the job offers for the pay.

Deranged Ranger · Joined: 13 Sep 2011

MitchCraig · Joined: 08 Sep 2011 Location: Glasgow, Scotland

I think what everyone can agree on is that they would rather be at home than at school in any circumstance. Unless your home is crap. Leave it at that?

Anyway, I got told by tthe current English teacher who is there that I won't have to worry about deskwarming at all at our school. Was pretty gutted to be honest because I interpret that as I will be actually doing work non stop for a year. No time to write 500 novels whether it be at home or at the school. Haha! Oh well, I will choose option A) and suck it up. I will complain to my 5.5 billions friends about it though.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Deranged Ranger · Joined: 13 Sep 2011

I didnt even imply in any way that you were immature or lazy, but you came off as you think you're above it, and that we all should be.

Working for a school that has deskwarming is supporting it is absurd. I no more support deskwarming than I do many of the other pointless things that go on in a PS< but I do like a job, and I do like paycheck, since I have a family support and I long ago accepted that any job has trade offs.

If you are happy with yor hagwon job then thats fine. I could list any number of bullcrap things that went on in my 3 hagwons that I do not miss and that are much worse than being told to sit at a desk for 4 - 5 hours

"I just had a kid quit, its' your fault"
"you need to do 100 report cards by tomorrow"
I've changed your class, you have to teach all new stuff, starting today"
"Johns parents want him in advanced class, it doesnt matter that he cant say "hi how are you" his mother thinks hes a genius, and Im not telling her differently."
"Sally said she doesnt like you, you need to make her like you"

etc

Not to mention ONE week vacations.

YOu want a hagwon job, hey good on you, if the worst thing a PS has going for it that I have to deskwarm I will take that ANY day of the week and twice on sunday. I have a curriculum, it doesnt change, the admins leave me alone, there is no parent bullcrap, I plan three lessons a week, teach 22 classes a week ( which works out to 16 hours) and I got to go home for christmas every year I worked for 3 weeks.

Hardly absurd to be expected to be at my desk like the other 250 000 Korean teachers who work in Korea, when I make more than them. IF we REALY wanted to split hairs, every single teacher could use that time researching for lessons, getting materials, gathering an abundance of riches, but we simply don't need that much overkill. You could go an help out your teachers with stuff if you wanted to.

If YOU DON'T then again to each his own, but saying that we support a "bad idea" like deskwarming by accepting a job where we will spend a significant amount of time doing it is a fals analogy ( like you think my serving comparison is)

I accepted a job with great working conditions, great hours, no split shifts etc, and I make fabulaous money ( again top pay in SMOE pay scale) I din't look at the fact that I may deskwarm as a detraction to the plethura of advantages that the job offers me.

If you want to say that supporting it then by all means give me a sign that says "I support deskwarming" and I will wave that pretty little thing all day ( it won't make your statement true however) Smile

I do not "support" deskwarming, but I don't fight it either. Why should I walk with my feet if it doesnt bother me? Why should others? Part of deskwarming time serves its purpose, part of it is mine free to do with as I please ( time I otherwise wouldnt get with a wife and child if I had to go home. I assure I get more work done ( and prefer to do work) AT SCHOOL than I ever would at home.