Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alphalfa]

I received an email this afternoon from the KT who acts as the liason for the NETs regarding working contract.etc.. In the email, she informed me that she has the official documents from IMOE for contract renewal- the Application for Renewal, the Self Health Check, The Report on Teaching Experience. In the email, she asks me "If you want to make a renewal with XXX, pls. let me know a.s.a.p."

I replied to her email with this inquiry: **(added to message herein)
"There is an official document I must read and sign for a renewal, the application for renewal."
**the same KT had the document for renewal but refused to give it to me to read, fill out and sign. In her mind, she wanted my renewal intentions first(by email), then a meeting of directors etc to decide my renewal, not for me to fill out the renewal form sent by IMOE.
It may be the same document I signed many times at IMOE Public Schools.
** it is, contrary to what the aforementioned KT says.(face saving)
note: I am at a training centre not a public school
Can you send a copy of the official document to read and sign?

end

In a tantrum episode, the KT asked that I send my intentions upon whether to renew or not to her - in an email message. I told her that I was not comfortable sending my notice of intention to her by email. I informed her "I wish to follow the proper procedure - having done many many times before. In order to follow the proper procedure, I require the
application for renewal: on it, it asks whether you wish to check the appropriate box for yes[renew] or no."

I made a simple request to see the renewal document -nothing more. A simple request turned into a totally unnecessary tantrum episode on the part of the KT. She relented finally and gave me a copy of the necessary document and left the office in a huff. She says I don't understand what she's saying.

There you have it, as happened to an experienced and certified teacher.
I'm made to look bad for attempting to follow the proper procedure.

your thoughts

ps there are newbies working alongside me who are unaware of the
renewal process. I informed them that there is a proper procedure
for renewal and to have someone tell you otherwise (have control
over people) is improper.

alphalfa

[jrwhite82]

So instead of just shooting her an email that would have taken you 30 seconds, you got in an argument about it, wasted more time and ruined her day? It would have taken you less time to write that email than it would have to make the entire post on here.

It doesn't matter if you are right or wrong. Sometimes working with people entails that you do things just for the sake of getting along. You haven't figured that out yet?

[schwa]

IMOE -renew docs ..FT tantrum

[sulperman]

[r122925]

If I understand the OP correctly (it's not exactly clear), the documents from the MOE contain information changes in the contract for the next year, pay rises, vacation, etc... Basically, the coworker is asking him if he wants to renew before he even knows the terms and conditions of the renewal contract. I would have a problem with this as well (who wouldn't?), although it certainly sounds like he could have handled the situation a bit more diplomatically.

[jrwhite82]

The intent to renew form is a separate document than the contract. The MOE requires this form before they issue the contract. It is non-binding and does not mean you are going to sign the contract. It is only stating that you are intending to renew with the school.

The KT may or may not be right. Who knows what the procedure is? Sure, in the PAST you signed the Intent form first, then the meetings followed. And as was already stated, things change all the time. What's the big deal about sending an email that says you are intending and would like to start the paper work process? Maybe the teacher wants to clear your renewal with her and your superiors before processing all the paper work only to be stopped after filling it all out if your bosses changed their mind. Sounds logical to me.

Also, way to make the woman who is ultimately responsible for presenting your file to the people who will rehire you or not pissed off. That will totally turn out to work in your favor in the future.

[goreality]

I don't see how adding an additional simple check means they aren't following procedure. Your email provides you and her with evidence that you requested the form to renew.
When you say you are experienced and you get into difficulties with an issue like this, one has to question your experience. It seems you lack experience in regards to dealing with Korean administration and bureaucracy. Experience isn't just dealing with by the book procedures, it also involves how you deal with unique experiences. If there is one slight change from normal and you can't handle this, it speaks volumes about your experience.

[ThingsComeAround]

ON one hand, sending off an email and complying with her over-arbitration of an issue shouldn't be a headache.

However, it is her way of adding her power and prestige over him. To make her look more busy than she needs to be, and give the OP more stress (what if this "committee" says they don't want him?).

I can understand both sides. Bureaucracy isn't efficient, nor is it practical. Sometimes it is hard enough to get the system right, however when people drop in their own requests which are redundant it can be frustrating.

[alphalfa]

The procedure as clearly stated in the Letter of Notice from IMOE says..

Those of you who wish to re-sign as a Guest English Teacher . please fill out the form "Application for Renewal, Self Health Check, along with another Medical Check and "Report of Teaching Experience". Those of you who wish not to re-sign, please fill out the form "Application of Renewal" and "Report of Teaching Experience".

This is the proper procedure I speak of. It's clear. How am I wrong in what I requested? These forms the KT had in her possession prior to my request via email to her for me to review these forms. It was after I made this request that the KT came charging into the NETs office to speak to me. She refused initially to give me the "Application for Renewal" document In NOT doing so, she is not following the specific guidelines as outlined by IMOE above. I did not get into an argument with the KT - she did all the talking. While listening to her, it became clear to me this whole outburst on her part was very unnecessary IF SHE HAD SIMPLY GIVEN ME THE "Application for Renewal" DOCUMENT as I kindly requested. If she had simply done this, it would not have had to evolve into a tantrum from her.

Simply stated and an action which is simple for her to do. She chose not to do a simple task.

So, the comment(s) from jrwrite82 , schwa and sulperman are unjustified.

it is what it is...

alphalfa

[jrwhite82]

[riley]

"Oh how to see yourself as others see you"

Thanks OP, now I know that my own actions have come across as priggish and foolish.

You may be right but you won't win. I'm guessing this is a person you've been butting heads with all year long. Doing what she wanted was annoying and irritating but wouldn't get you in trouble. Not doing what she wanted, will make trouble for you down the road.

As they say to ex-employees, "Good luck in your future endeavors!"

[thegadfly]

OP, is English your native language? From what you have written, it is quite difficult to tell...you don't express yourself very clearly:

"These forms the KT had in her possession prior to my request via email to her for me to review these forms."

Did you mean that the KT had the forms you wanted to see, but she didn't give them to you? Could you possibly have SAID that?

My point is...you aren't communicating effectively here, and your KT said that you were not communicating effectively with her...and given the evidence YOU have provided, I am on her side about the unclear communication thing....

I would like to think that you are either a non-native English speaker, or else you are not being entirely honest about being a certified teacher, or both...because your behavior, as you presented it, and your communication skills, as you demonstrated them, speak badly for both groups if you are indeed a member of both groups....

[pkang0202]

[english puppet]

Maybe I'm missing something but the intent to renew is part of his paperwork/contract not the school's. Why shouldn't he see it before responding in any shape or form? Some schools have a different number of slots at the school and a lot of changes going on which could affect how you feel about renewal - maybe changes are referred to in his renewal paperwork?

If the renewal paperwork is poorly handled or not handled at all he would have an opportunity to have signed it and saved a copy.

Frankly, given the miscommunication I've seen at a public school I might want to see the original paperwork before commenting which could be interpreted poorly etc..

[english puppet]