Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rowdie3]

Hi there,
My boss has been having panic attacks lately about the Korean economy. Today she told all of the foreign teachers the following change:

-we have always worked 50 minutes each hour and then had a ten minute break but been paid for the full hour. My boss now wants us to teach a full hour, but she is still going to have the ten minute breaks. So, this equates to us teaching about 20 extra classes each a month and having our day extended by an average of an hour. We of course won't be paid anymore for this change.

Has anyone ever encountered a similar situation? Can my boss do this without paying us more?

I would appreciate any help!
Thanks,
J

[justagirl]

Well, the first question that comes to mind, is: what does your contract state for working hours?

If your contract says nothing, you don't have much to back you up. If it says, "one working hour consists of 50 minutes teaching and a 10 minute break" then you have something to work with.

I have a feeling that even with the extra time, you're still within contract hours. Am I right? So even though it majorly sucks, and you'd rather not have to change to work more, there might not be much of a choice.

The only other thing that comes to mind, is letting her know that you and your fellow teachers were under the impression that the 50-min class and 10-min break were unchangable. If that is what was stated to you when you first considered the job, and how she advertised for the school, then it's not really fair for her to change on you guys now. You could say that you had a verbal agreement. *I know we have some of these with our own boss, and I'd be very upset if he went back on his word.

Or, all the foreign teachers could band together and say they won't work.

Other suggestions, people? Or more info, rowdie? How long have you been working here?

[Saxiif]

Gord telling the newbie that he's not flipping burgers anymore and is getting what he deserves
3...2...1...

[Gord]

[hellofaniceguy]

It's always best to to find out beforehand just exactly how many classes. Hind sight....
Anyway, now you're stuck.
In the future, always agree to "X" amount of classes per day...NOT the amount of hours. Been posting this for years.
120 hours, 130, 140... man 'ol man...you'd be teaching 8,10,12 classes a day!
Agree only on 5/6 50 minute classes a day at a hokwon. Period. If not, tell the school to look for a new teacher.
The owner is making money off of you for those extra classes, you should also.

[ghostshadow]

Check the contract to see if it states how many hours that you are there that you get paid on or for how many teaching hours you are there. There is a big difference in teaching hours vs. hours worked.
I have a feeling that you will still not go beyond what your contract stated and your mainly a bit pissed because they took something away that they gave you for free. If that is the case see if your manager is understanding enough and tell them that those few 10 minutes does a great deal for you and recharges you so that you can teach better. Or need some prep time before the next class and so forth.

[shawner88]

60 minute classes?

6 each day?

That sounds like torture! I'd quit.

[rowdie3]

Hi,
Thanks for your suggestions. I checked the contract and it says "120 teaching hours a month" but doesn't define what a teaching hour is, so I guess we are going to be doing the extra classes. I'm just frustrated with this. I would have rather been working the full hours all along then have her make a change nine months into my contract. Oh well, live and learn.

The other thing that happened today is that one of the other teachers is trying to set up her return to Canada. Our contract says that we would be reimbursed upon arrival for our flight here (approx. 800,000) which we were. However, the flight tickets all cost between $1100 cdn and $1300 cdn for the three of us. Our boss today told us that she is going to pay a maximum of 800,000 won for our returns and we have to pay whatever is on top of that. Considering we all arrived during peak times, that's going to cost us at least $400 each. Does anyone know what I can do about this? The contract says we will be given a return flight ticket upon completion of the contract and made no mention of a dollar cash amount etc. I appreciate the help!

Thanks,
J

[Zed]

[phaedrus]

[Gord]

[just because]

I know the Korean economy is bad however.....

Is it just me or do Koreans blame everything for their bad economy.

eg. The economy is bad right now so we don't have many students....

The economy is bad right now so you have to work harder...

The economy is bad right now so you need to take a pay cut....

and on and on

Any other factors are never considered such as mismanagement or badly laid programs or just the fact that the hagwon is bad.

[Grotto]

according to Korean labour laws it is illegal for any hogwan to change the schedule of any teacher without their explicit agreement. Therefore they cant change the schedule unless you let them.

Tell your boss to go fornicate with himself/herself tell Gord the same thing too

[Gord]

[Homer]

Yeah Grotto...link please...