Korean Job Discussion Forums

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

Hello all,

I had a heated conversation with two of other Korean Teachers at work. The issue of a cash shortage was brought up by the head Korean Teacher, and asked him if I was at fault for the cash shortage. He said, "It's all our faults, and we must work together as a team!" I told him, "I just come to work and do my part." The issue of showing up 30 minutes early for work was brought up again. I had been showing up 25-30 minutes early to work. One of the teachers suggested that I show up to work 2 - 3 hours early to work. I replied, "Then put in my contract and pay me." I also said, "If you guys want me to do extra stuff, then it should be put in my contract." They were shocked. The head Korean Teacher piped up and said, "It's in your contract to teach 30 hours per week!" I replied, "First of all, "You don't have any business releasing anything from my contract in front of another teacher!" If I didn't say anything, then I would have allowed him in the future to talk about my contract in front of others. He went on to say, "do you want to get fired, do you want to get fired?" I spoke something to him in Spanish he didn't understand. He then went on to yelp that I should have come here to learn Korean! This was a rough day indeed. Was I justified on taking a stand with him about the contract, even though it may have been a small issue?

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Yes, you were justified in telling that pinche puta to suck your cojones.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

The funny thing about making the effort to learn Korean is....

a) They're way more into learning English off you than helping you learn their language
b) While we grasp what they're trying to say in English quickly, no matter how contorted the sound, they don't get our pronunciation however rehearsed and perfect it is
c0 You actually look a little ridiculous studying korean hard because everyone knows its nowhere near as useful as English. Besides, they don't particularly like signs that you're intending to stay a long time in their country..

Sounds like a stressed environment you have. Just relax, have a laff and know you can't get fired no matter what..

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Sounds like the standard "let's try and get the wayguk in to work extra for free" guilt trip/con job schpeil. Confused

Err.... well maybe.

How was your relationship to the boss and other staff before this incident?

Was this your first argument?

It's impossible to give an appropriate answer to your situation without knowing more.

It's important to stand up for yourself, but getting into an argument may not be the best way to go about things. I don't know if the argument could have been avoided, you are the only one who can say for sure.
It might have been better to just state your views matter of factly and leave it at that. No need to fight over it.

If they keep pestering you to work extra hours and you don't want to, just keep saying no until they get the hint. (sometimes this takes a while)

Were you working less than 30 hours a week?

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

If you were hired 'back home' as a teacher, you would be offered and you would accept a salary. X amount of money for a year's worth of work, with no discussion of how many hours per day or whatever. You would know how many class hours you would be teaching, but you would not dream of discussing with your boss how many hours of preparation, grading, office hours, test writing, counselling, etc. etc. etc. you would be doing.

I don't pretend to know how it happened, but here we seem to have turned ourselves into hourly employees. Personally, I don't think it is a step up, but others may disagree.

In my opinion, your Korean co-workers were reacting from two motives: one of them being the one stated above; the second, the Korean thing of loyalty to the employer. I don't want to get into the relative merits of the Korean aspect of it. That is their thing and it is what it is.

My point: If you want to work for an hourly wage, maybe you should be looking for work in a factory.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Head teacher? Is he Korean?

Anyway, I would've laughed at that one. "Why don't you come in two or three hours early?" Ha.

"It's in your contract to teach 30 hours a week!" Ha. Yeah, 30 hours within the time frame of my schedule, you dork. What business does he have with your contract? None of his business either.

"Do you want to get fired?" Where does he get off saying that? My response would've been "I don't know. Do you want to get fired? That's a silly question. Stop being silly. Why would I get fired? What do you want me to do? Work 8 am to 12 am to cover my 30 hours? I don't think so. Someone else figure it out. Not my job." (Something like that)

I don't think you were out of line. I would almost crave a confrontation like that. Put some stupid head teacher in his place. Fire me. Whatever. Go ahead, peanut head.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

are you well prepared for your classes. i would say coming in 2-3 hours before work is way to much, but i don't think 30 minutes is enough. i find if i spend less than 40 minutes planning for my day then i am not well prepared.

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Anyway... that's got nothing to do with the price of eggs.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Take a baseball bat to school tomorrow and whack him in front of all the staff. Then wave it in their faces as you stand on the bloodied body of your boss. Tell them America saved them from the Norks, you'll teach however you please, and that you are going to own that place from now on.

Their attitude to you will change.

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006