Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Man what do you do with those idiots who carry a copy of their contract in their briefcases and practically have it memorized?

For Example:

Female Supervisor: Could you please leave your classroom cleaner?

Anal Waygook: It's not in my contract! According to the Korean Constitution under Artcile 33339 I do not have to tolerate this sort of harrassment at the workplace!

Female Supervisor: Errrr... Ok I am just asking because the cleaning lady is like 89 years old and its hard for her to clean up your mess.

Anal Waygook: According to my contract you must spin around three times and hand me a 10,000 won note between each spin as a gesture of good faith prior to discussing any work related issues. You have failed to pay me the funds owed to me. This of course means I will take you to the labour bourd.

Female Supervisor: You are taking me to the labor board for you being a lazy fucking pig? What is wrong with you?

Anal Waygook: I now feel my life is in danger from your anger! Please step back away from in the manner set forth in section 5 of my contract.

Female Supervisor: You insensitive cunt that 89 year old woman is my grandmother!

I don't ever have to many problems with fellow waygook teachers, but some of them must have been dropped on their heads when they were children.

Homer · Guest

Now now Dan....that was harsh....

But sadly it was also a depiction of something that does really happen.

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

Rather pathetic that someone would make her 89 year old grandmother clean the school. Rolling Eyes

I know you were just saying that as an example, but I found BOTH people in your little dialogue ridiculous.

SeniorEnglish · Joined: 18 Jun 2006

I have to clean my classroom, I have no problem doing. But, when they were too cheap to hire an extra hand to clean the rest of the place, I had to say no. Then compromised.
Some of what the Chainsawman said is good. There are a lot of wankers that get jobs teaching English. But, if they try to pull a quick one on me, like you if you take a sick day then you must pay, I am all for quoting the old contract. Sometimes you must have the cohenes to stand up to pricks.
Remember, it's not only the foreign teachers who are lazy *beep* pigs.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

I'm getting the feeling that the weirdo in the OP, while maybe even technically right in his opinion, went about the whole thing like a moron, which tends to happen in the absolutely unprofessional industry known as Korean ESL/EFL on both sides on an all too frequently basis. Wink

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:21 am Post subject:

The way I see it is, my classroom is MY classroom. Organizing, decorating, cleaning, stocking, even damage depending on who caused it and how. I have no problem accepting that responsibility even though it's not in my contract.

On the flip side...no one, not even my supervisor, tells me how to run, decorate, or organize my class. I'm always open to advice, but that's about it.

In 6 years of doing that I've yet to come across any problems.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Shouldn't it be more like, "Boo hoo a poor little lazy assed teacher not willing to clean up after himself."

I hope they fire the fool.

Notice in my earlier post what I said about the obvious exagerations. I have no idea what the content of the conversation entailed, just the bare facts of the matter.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

lets think about this for a second shall we?

hmmm...hmmmm.......just who makes the mess in the classroom? Is it the teacher? hmmmm ....I dont think so! It's the students!

Is the owner/director asking them to make sure the classroom is tidied up? OR are they tellling the teacher to sweep and mop?

Keeping a classroom neat is common sense.....but no teacher should be asked or expected to sweep, mop or wash down tables.....its not thier job!

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

I'd have to side with Grotto on this one. Tidying up is one thing, cleaning (and I've even heard of teachers painting) is quite another.

Who waxes the floors? Do they expect the teacher to do it? Who cleans the toilets? Is it the teachers job?

It is the cleaning person's responsibility to do these things. If they are not able to do it.. fire them and hire someone who can (especially if nepotism is involved). Or splurge and hire tow people to clean!

Aussiekimchi · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Location: SYDNEY

Wasn't the point of this post simply that some teachers never do anything outside their contracts and they are so regimental on this they almost seem to be carrying it around in their heads?
To the OP, I agree with you and I understand (I think) what you are saying. Unfortunately in Korean hagwans, they are full of people whom have never worked as a teacher before and do not realise the extra things every teacher in the world does.
I am not talking about sweeping or mopping...I am talking about the countless extra things we all would do for no pay just because it needs doing. And correct me if I am wrong but didn't we all do that back home in our jobs?
Why then suddenly do SOME people kick up such a fuss when they are asked to do the odd thing? (and I am assuming it is THE ODD THING). Koreans do have this horrible habit of taking advantage of the person who always says yes).
Actually I am amazed how some people pick up teaching so quickly here. But there of course are some people whom just do not get it at all...and part of being a teacher in a school is going beyond the call of duty.
AGAIN....I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT MOPPING FLOORS!

SeniorEnglish · Joined: 18 Jun 2006

Honestly,

I compare being a teacher here to being a fast food worker back home. Basically, many foreign and Korean teachers here are unskilled and have no experience. A lot of the people running these hogwans just want to make money and forget about anything else. How is a teacher supposed to learn and flourish in that kind of environment?
Some people have teaching certificates or other qualifications and that's great. But those who don't, if they have the wrong boss, will never get it.
Personally, I will do extra work for my students. My students matter most. If I am asked to do something outlandish, like spend my 5 minutes between classes doing interviews, then I want to be compensated. Of course, I was one of the yes teachers. I know first hand, it is better to stand up for yourself on the spot, so you don't get others work pushed onto you.

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

Most likely there are other circumstances involved with this worker that have not been disclosed in this OP's topic. Teachers should should do the extra things to clean their rooms, and I'm in agreement with Dan The Chainsawman.

If the kids are trashing the classroom, then it's the teachers resposibilty to find a solution to the problem. I would cut activities 10 minutes short so they could clean their classrooms if it was trashed.