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Should I stay or should I go now?
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yesman



Joined: 15 Sep 2006

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:23 am    Post subject: Should I stay or should I go now? Reply with quote

I've been in Korea for almost 4 months now and the job is stressing me out. I wanted some input from teachers in other situations to help give me some perspective...

Pros:
1) always paid on time (standard 2mil contract)
2) decent relationship with directors

Cons:
1) Current schedule: 7:30am, 12, 1, 4, 5, 6, and two days/wk @ 7
2) Daily time spent commuting: 2.5 to 3 hours
3) 3 to 4 hours per month of administrative computer work (individual student progress reports to parents)
4) No paid prep time
5) Unpaid weekly half-hour meeting (other occasional meetings as well)
6) No vacation aside from Korean holidays
7) Everyone's schedule changes frequently (I've been fairly lucky so far)
8 ) Must buy my own books (reimbursed at the end of contract)
9) "Furnished apartment" was dirty and contained: mattress, fan, and a couch from the street
10) Paid for half of my visa run b/c the school wanted me here ASAP to cover departing teacher

One other thing that has the potential to cause stress for me is a general sense of fear amongst the teachers that if anyone speaks up or "gets out of line" some punishment will be handed down (i.e. a REALLY shiddy schedule) and the relationship with the boss could turn antagonistic.

And I know that it could be worse. A few teachers here have their first class at 6am and their last class end at 10pm.

What are your situations like? Is this standard? What do you think?


Last edited by yesman on Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:48 am; edited 1 time in total
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candide



Joined: 03 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am interested as to why you have to spend all that time commuting with what is quite clearly a full-time gig.

?
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Woland



Joined: 10 May 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My guess is that the OP is teaching at different addresses, which, if they aren't reported to immigration and cleared, are a violation, as I understand it. Again, this is a guess. But something to think about.

But more importantly, why work in a climate of fear and retribution? It can't be good for you. Ask yourself, are you so in need of this job to put up with that? If not, and I think most healthy people would say 'no', then why not start looking for a way out. Decide whether you want to stay in Korea or go elsewhere and act appropriately to get what you want.
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yesman



Joined: 15 Sep 2006

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I teach at two different corporations (on the other side of town) for my 7:30am and 12 and 1 o'clock classes.

In the morning I go to the hagwan, wait for the other teachers, get in a car and go cram down rice and kimchi for a quick cafeteria breakfast. After that class I get dropped back at hagwan to go home.

In the afternoon I take a hagwan bus that drops off several teachers to different company classes.

I have to make sure I get to the bus on time or else he leaves and I'm paying the taxi fare. Shocked
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yesman



Joined: 15 Sep 2006

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Part of the problem is that I get paid at the end of the month for the previous month (is that normal?). So, for example, at the end of October I got paid for all of September's work.

I didn't fully understand this pay scheme coming over here and it created quite a hiccup in my income stream and a few problems paying bills back home. So I haven't had money to spend. In addition, a major concern was whether or not my director would nail me for part of the airfare cost to come over here.

After four months I'm just starting to get my head out of the (financial) water to look around.

Now my question is, in other people's experience, is this a normal situation here in Korea? Are most other jobs substantially better than this?
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jazblanc77



Joined: 22 Feb 2004

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Find something better. Some of the stuff you said is just absurd and so NOT legal for them to be doing.
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princess



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Should I stay or should I go now? Reply with quote

yesman wrote:
I've been in Korea for almost 4 months now and the job is stressing me out. I wanted some input from teachers in other situations to help give me some perspective...

Pros:
1) always paid on time (standard 2mil contract)
2) decent relationship with directors

Cons:
1) Current schedule: 7:30am, 12, 1, 4, 5, 6, and two days/wk @ 7
2) Daily time spent commuting: 2.5 to 3 hours
3) 3 to 4 hours per month of administrative computer work (individual student progress reports to parents)
4) No paid prep time
5) Unpaid weekly half-hour meeting (other occasional meetings as well)
6) No vacation aside from Korean holidays
7) Everyone's schedule changes frequently (I've been fairly lucky so far)
8 ) Must buy my own books (reimbursed at the end of contract)
9) "Furnished apartment" was dirty and contained: mattress, fan, and a couch from the street
10) Paid for half of my visa run b/c the school wanted me here ASAP to cover departing teacher

One other thing that has the potential to cause stress for me is a general sense of fear amongst the teachers that if anyone speaks up or "gets out of line" some punishment will be handed down (i.e. a REALLY shiddy schedule) and the relationship with the boss could turn antagonistic.

And I know that it could be worse. A few teachers here have their first class at 6am and their last class end at 10pm.

What are your situations like? Is this standard? What do you think?
I am sorry for your situation, but numbers 3,4 and 5 seem pretty standard for hagwons. Paid prep time does not exist at most places, and extra work, like preparing reports and lesson plans happens. I have never been paid for a staff meeting either. That other stuff sounds wrong, just wrong though.
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hubba bubba



Joined: 24 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, I would look for something better.

But if you knew all this when you signed, I don't really see where you have any place to complain. Except for the illegal part.

Most hagwon provided apts are a dump. My meetings were unpaid, same with prep. Don't know.
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huffdaddy



Joined: 25 Nov 2005

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Should I stay or should I go now? Reply with quote

yesman wrote:
3) 3 to 4 hours per month of administrative computer work (individual student progress reports to parents)
4) No paid prep time
5) Unpaid weekly half-hour meeting (other occasional meetings as well)


As previous posters, this is pretty standard at hogwans.

Quote:
1) Current schedule: 7:30am, 12, 1, 4, 5, 6, and two days/wk @ 7
2) Daily time spent commuting: 2.5 to 3 hours

6) No vacation aside from Korean holidays
7) Everyone's schedule changes frequently (I've been fairly lucky so far)
8 ) Must buy my own books (reimbursed at the end of contract)
9) "Furnished apartment" was dirty and contained: mattress, fan, and a couch from the street
10) Paid for half of my visa run b/c the school wanted me here ASAP to cover departing teacher


What does your contract say about these things? Did you agree to split shifts? No vacation?

Quote:
One other thing that has the potential to cause stress for me is a general sense of fear amongst the teachers that if anyone speaks up or "gets out of line" some punishment will be handed down (i.e. a REALLY shiddy schedule) and the relationship with the boss could turn antagonistic.


Collective action my friend. The FTs need to find a common ground and present their case to the boss. Nice and face-saving, of course.
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spliff



Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yesman....that situation sux so bad I can't, for the life of me, understand how you've done it for four months already! Street furniture? Shocked
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Faron



Joined: 13 Jan 2006

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

walk away, actualy you should runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
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kat2



Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go.
That schedule is horrific. And unless each address you are teaching at is on your visa, you're illegal. If you're caught, the penalty for you is MUCH worse than for your employer.
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mrd



Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Location: fluorescent-filled paradise

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Before you walk or run, I'd suggest approaching your boss, very politely and respectfully fo course, with your concerns. See if there isn't some common-ground you can both come to.

Sure its easy to just turn you back and walk away, but maybe you can save yourself additional stress by trying to resolve some of the issues you listed above.
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poet13



Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 6:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

3,4,5,- ok, standard

Schedule hours - well, they suck, but the two different locations without an endorsement on your ARC is illegal.

Being paid a month late? NO WAY. You should be paid within 5 business days. ie; October money on november 5 or so.

Furniture from the street? - Thats just plain disgusting.

No vacation? Well, if they are going to pay you for each unsed day at the end of your contract....that's up to you to accept or not.

Paying for your own books to be reimbursed at the end of your contract? Bet you a pitcher of beer you don't get your money back.

2.5-3 hours commute EVERY day? That's insane. My commute is about 1:50 every week, less if I pedal faster.

Dude or dudette. Find another job. Get your LOR.
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seoulsista



Joined: 31 Aug 2005

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yesman,

Get the he!! out of there. Just respectfully put in your 60 days notice or whatever it is and tell him you are looking for another job and that you will be staying in Korea, whether it is true or not. Make it clear you will be around to go to the Labor Board if neccessary without saying that.

As far talking to your boss goes - give it a shot but don't expect much. Your boss sounds super sheisty. This being the case, he knows he's screwing you. How reasonable is someone like that going to be? You have a decent relationship now because you haven't done anything to complain. That will quickly dissipate when you make any statement that could even be interpreted as questioning his authority. Be prepared for that.

He's holding onto your paycheck for two reasons: 1.) possibly to invest the money in short term investing schemes 2.) disuade anyone from pulling runners because no matter when you do it you are loosing a months pay.

You can and will do better. Don't waste anymore of your time there. However, being that you are four months, stick it out until the six month mark so you don't have to pay back your airfare over.

Good luck.
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