Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ScrewWhiteDay]

Okay, a bit of an exaggeration on the message title, but allow me to explain.

I've been working as a part-time (paid by the hour) jack-of-all-trades type of a teacher for couple months at a Hagwon I'll call "A".

Facts to consider:
1) + For a novice, I thought the 25000 won/hour was very, very generous. And more than anything, I was and still am very grateful to my boss who gave me the chance when my family was in a bit of a rough spot.

2) -However, I get relatively very FEW hours. I work an average of about 16 hours per week, yet "A" takes a chunk of my late afternoons which basically makes it full-time, as I cannot work in any other institutes.

3) - I am forced to teach a variety of subjects at any given time. Take, for example, this schedule.
-Middle School SSAT
-Middle School World History
-Middle School Discussion/Conversation
-High School Government
-High School Model UN
-TOEFL
-SAT Writing & Verbal
-Literature for Middle School

Both private tutoring and class. I don't mind it that much, but I feel guilty sometimes because I simply don't have the time to prepare as I should. It's not like I slack, I'm confident that I do as much as the other teachers, if not more sometimes. You catch my meaning, though. It's rather overwhelming and I feel like I'm not becoming as proficient as I should be.

4) - Basically, the crux of my dilemma is the absolutely atrocious hours they give me. Three days out of a week, I start class early and end really late because of humongous gaps between my lessons.

Example:

9:00 - 11:00 Class
NO CLASS
3:00 - 5:00 Class
NO CLASS
8:00 - 10:00 CLASS

or a long, 5-hour gap between an early afternoon course and evening course.

I live pretty far from Seoul (1.5 hr commute) and by the time I get home, it's near midnight! It's pretty much decimated what little social life I have. The worst part is that I'm only working about 5 hours at most, yet staying at the hagwon for about 12 hours.

And I can't go to my house, either because the commute eats up all the hours. I know it's my problem, but my boss knows this and obviously doesn't care that much about it. Or he would fiddle with the student's schedule and make mine a bit more tolerable.

I have nothing to do and nowhere to go during such hours. There is no computer for me to use and I find myself crammed into a small room with a book. Class preparation doesn't take up that many hours, as you know.

On a final note, I find their practice of not counting the hours when a student cancels (after I already arrive at hakwon) somewhat shady. I'm 99% positive the hagwon is receiving payment for the services, but I'm left in the dust. What to do, guys? Do I go searching for another job on the down low or just keep it still?

On some months, I do get a lot more work but sometimes it's too much (up to 10 hours a day) and physically, it wears me out. I would rather go on a monthly pay basis with set times and get a more periodic lifestyle as well.
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[nev]

It sounds pretty dreadful. I wouldn't work that schedule. I think you know the answer yourself: get a new job.

[jajdude]

Indeed. One can make more with a better schedule.

[turtlepi1]

Yep...you don't need us to tell you. You know what you need to do.

But I'll say it...Find a new job, now.
(Or talk to your boss and fix it.)

Since you are leaving anyway you are in a position of power (I assume you are an F2 or some other visa). If they like you they might actually work something out when push comes to shove if you are firm about leaving but not angry.

People will take avantage of you only if you let them.

[ScrewWhiteDay]

WHAT IF this schedule wasn't absolutely permanent? I've had better schedules before (but only because students were lined up). Do I count on the flood of Korean-Americans during the summer months so I have classes IN-BETWEEN or pack up and get out of here?

[jajdude]

Look for new job mate. Give your notice and start looking. You could find something better in a week.

[Captain Corea]

Yeah, honestly it sounds like you are lettingthem do that to you.

On the other hand you said something about this place helping you and your family out and that you are only part time there... i'm curious;

Do you have an F2? an E2?

How did they help you?




If it's "just a job" then they are shafting you. Getting away with paying you part time wages for full time hours. But I sense there might be more information coming...

[sheba]

Split shift are common but find a job that better suits your needs... give em the boot!

[Squid]

Competition between hagwon slave traders has made it common for the school to charge on a classes-taken basis, given notice of absence, especially in small or one-on-one classes. Ergo they don't pay you.

Given the current market for instructors I'm surprised you're posting here rather than leafing through job offers.

[Ya-ta Boy]

It sounds awful.

You said that some months you work a lot of hours, sometimes even 10 hrs a day. My conclusion is that you have repaid the boss for helping you out.

If you have a good relationship with the boss, explain the situation and ask for a better schedule. Give him the opportunity to rectify the situation. If nothing changes, start looking for a better schedule.

Doing you one favor does not mean you owe a lifetime of misery.

[Saxiif]