Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

quick advice question

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
ds_fan



Joined: 07 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:47 pm    Post subject: quick advice question Reply with quote

my kindy hagwon is taking the piss, i have to create resources for basically everything, to cut the story short......

the owner of the franchise is here today swanning around, i want to have a civil but firm word with her and say that i need resources, as im pulling them out of my ass and its pissing me off, its in my contract the the use of suplimentary resources is encouraged but they must be checked beforehand- i.e they must provide the shit


is this a good idea, bare in mind she will defend herself and not take on a word i say, it could be a suicide attempt, or should i just voice my disgust in her ways of working anyway

worth it, yay or nay?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kiwiana



Joined: 29 Nov 2007

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You don't want to be making resources for the rest of your time there, do you?

I suggest that you ask to speak with the boss and approach the topic politely. Explain that you are happy making supplementary resources only. Say that it is important to have a relevant and set curriculum in place to maximize the children's learning.

If they argue say that you are a competent teacher but not a competent publisher.

I've had friends expected to create entire curricula from the ground up, it's bullshit.

Good luck
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bigfeet



Joined: 29 May 2008
Location: Grrrrr.....

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd do it if they give me a nice raise.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ds_fan



Joined: 07 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

further to this, iv just been told its 5.30pm, im due to leave at 6pm...

that i have to stay until 9pm as there is a parents evening...


im ready to crack skulls
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ds_fan



Joined: 07 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ok, this place are taking the piss, iv been told i need to go to seoul for some teacher training day on sat 12th july. i nearly lost it and ended up raising my voice to my director. i need advice as to how i can say no to this one. Its on a saturday and i work mon-fri. bare in mind i live in gwangju, so that means 4 hours there, 4 hours back, 6 hours spent there. leave early sat morning, back late sat night- weekend over.

my contract goes....
The workday of the Employee starts on Monday and ends on Friday, 120 hours per month. Daily teaching hours are 6 hours per day. However working hours is flexible in accordance with the institution�s schedule and in this case both parties must mutually agree.

The Employee must attend staff meetings and workshops, which are not held during working hours however this will not be considered as working overtime.


its the workday starting on a monday and finishing on a friday which i want to use against them on this one. I dont want to give up my weekend, im doing enough for these cheeky bastards.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kiwiana



Joined: 29 Nov 2007

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Forget the contract, Korean labor law supersedes it. I have spoken in depth about this fact with a Korean lawyer about this. See Labor Laws of Korea, Vocational Training Promotion Act, Act No. 6455, Chapter 5, Article 20/21 (page 697 in 2004 edition):

Vocational training is considered work whereby the employer must provide appropriate wages. This will probably mean overtime from the time you arrive at work till the time you get back after the training.

Don't let them pull the wool over your eyes... Throw the book at them.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ds_fan



Joined: 07 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

fair enough, wont be easy to explain that one to people who dont really speak english, its just that my contract says the workday starts on a monday nd ends on a friday, iv had enough of their crap and need to flex my muscle bit, with a new popular hagwon opening accross the road in spetember they need to watch their moves with me as im not impressed by their actions at the mo
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kiwiana



Joined: 29 Nov 2007

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If they argue and try to force you to go then mention the Korean Ministry of Labor by name.

If that doesn't scare them off ring the labor department up at work and have the officer speak directly to your manager/boss regarding remuneration of vocational training.

Then watch them do an about face.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ds_fan



Joined: 07 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kiwiana wrote:
If they argue and try to force you to go then mention the Korean Ministry of Labor by name.

If that doesn't scare them off ring the labor department up at work and have the officer speak directly to your manager/boss regarding remuneration of vocational training.

Then watch them do an about face.


ok, further to this iv had an email from my recruiter who lives locally saying the director phoned to ask if i could attend this thing on the saturday, my recruiter said i would go because its in my contract to attend a seminar once a month, its not.

it says i must attend all the extra crap, but it also says the workday stars on a monday and ends on a friday- any opinions, advice.....

reason for not wanting to go- it would involve 8 hours of sitting on a bus and take up my entire saturday from early in the morning until late at night, and i dont owe them jack as im working my ass off during the week
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
spliff



Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excuse me but your contract reads:
Quote:
The Employee must attend staff meetings and workshops, which are not held during working hours however this will not be considered as working overtime.


Does it not? You did sign for that, did you not? Seems to me that complaining, on your part, is akin to not towing your weight. After all, they have gone out of their way to provide extra training for you. You should be happy that you don't have to pay for it, IMHO.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
ds_fan



Joined: 07 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

spliff wrote:
Excuse me but your contract reads:
Quote:
The Employee must attend staff meetings and workshops, which are not held during working hours however this will not be considered as working overtime.


Does it not? You did sign for that, did you not? Seems to me that complaining, on your part, is akin to not towing your weight. After all, they have gone out of their way to provide extra training for you. You should be happy that you don't have to pay for it, IMHO.


right smart *beep*- not towing my weight would involve creating a lesson plan on paper filed away for every lesson, working a full timetable, creating all worksheets and resources- in a school with no english speakers and no curriculum??? and all my classes are kindy

i suppose you would enjoy spending 8 hours sitting on a bus and 6 hours in a classroom on one of your saturday off, getting up early and returning late. Its not reasonable to make a teacher travel 4 hours on their day off for training crap
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
poet13



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

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would ask for another day off in lieu of Saturday. See what they say. I don't know how much you like this place, or how long you have left on your contract, but if you don't like it, or are leaving soon, I wouldn't bother going.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
moosehead



Joined: 05 May 2007

PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ds_fan wrote:
ok, further to this iv had an email from my recruiter who lives locally saying the director phoned to ask if i could attend this thing on the saturday, my recruiter said i would go because its in my contract to attend a seminar once a month, its not.

it says i must attend all the extra crap, but it also says the workday stars on a monday and ends on a friday- any opinions, advice.....


Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes nice to know your recruiter's looking out for you, huh??

IMO, you need to have a real sit-down with the person that hired you and your director. Have a list. Be serious and professional. Air your grievances.

Be prepared for them to make a come back with a litany of complaints of things you never even knew were a problem - don't be deterred - they are just trying to throw you off the track, hope you will accept blame for being so unworthy of their consideration and give up.


be firm, be polite. Let them know exactly what you need - be specific - no Saturdays, books, etc. Perhaps you can help them order some books off the web or accompany them to the bookstore, either during school time or as overtime after work - make that perfectly clear.

let them know you understand how difficult it must be to not always understand things completely but you want to be a good teacher and need more communication from them - explain to them how it's done where you're from (if possible, if not, just let them know you didn't quite anticipate this and you can even apologize here, it will go a long ways in smoothing things over).

hang in there - you can find a way out of this quite possibly but it'll take some effort.

if you just want to leave the job, and after discussing everything they show their face they aren't going to change, aren't going to listen or budge on anything, then just be clear and say, well, it's just not working for you, perhaps they might want to reconsider your contract and offer a Letter of Release and you''l be happy to leave.

good luck!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe
TEFL Courses, TESOL Course, English Teaching Jobs - TEFL International