Korean Job Discussion Forums

johnny_larue · Joined: 09 May 2008

To begin, I work in an Incheon public school and I believe I have a contract similar to EPIK or GEPIK schools. My problem is that my co-teacher has just informed me that the vice-principal has requested that I come to work twenty minutes early every day so I can greet the children at the gate in an attempt to improve their english skills. I would be allowed to leave twenty minutes early if I were to do this. So the question is, can he force me to do this?

I don't want to do this for two big reasons, firstly and most importantly I despise the vice-principal for many reasons. He is a jackass and a parasite that does no real work. His worst offence is constantly nagging at me for inane crap which I will gladly go into later. Also, I don't really want to be the big foreign clown in front of the school for twenty minutes every day.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

I don't think they can really make you do it. If it were me I would just drink some coffee and try not to look like a d-bag then leave early in the afternoon. And make a ton of excuses about how it is too cold.

Bottom line is they can't force you but it will probably come back to bite you in the ass in other ways.

nate2008 · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Location: Daegu

As others have said, they can't force you to do this, at least not without some kind of monetary compensation. Your contract states (I'm assuming it does anyway) that you must be at school by 8:30 and out by 4:30. Any time after these times (or in your case, before) must be compensated with money, the amount of which should also be in your contract.

So I think that the answer to your question would be that if they do force you to do this (and I think they maybe can) they would have to pay you for it. It sounds like they asked you to do them a favor, a sort of quid pro quo type deal that skips the hassle of overtime pay.

If I were you I would maybe tell them that you comfortable with your current arrangement and don't wish to change it. If they do try to force you, tell them you expect to be compensated according to the contract.

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject:

i think contract-wise they can tell you do it, whether you do or not is another matter. personally, i would try to claim it as 20 min. of conversation "class" so that they need to either pay me OT for it or cancel some of my regular classes.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

johnny_larue · Joined: 09 May 2008

I just asked him for a to sort things out. And I don't mind coming in early, what I hate is standing outside like a clown. The vice principal is trying to start a war, and I just hate giving into that parasite.

Oh well, many thanks for the replies. This won't hurt me. I will claim this as teaching time if they ever try to screw me on my after school classes.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

Dude, it's 20 minutes. A 20 minute swap to be precise. Come early. Leave early.

He has every right to ask this of you.

If your boss was a jack*** back in Canada, would you still argue?

Come on people. Grow up.

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:23 pm Post subject:

redhed · Joined: 05 Nov 2008

Yeah, I would totally just do it and then happily skip out the door early at the end of the day. Then think to all those rainy days coming this summer when you won't be out front, but still skipping out the door early come afternoon. I usually spend about 5 minutes talking with students as I walk up to school grounds anyway, sometimes I kick the soccer ball around, it's better than going in to my office. I don't know, like above posters said, you probably could get off not doing it, but at what cost?

drunkenfud · Joined: 08 Mar 2007

It's probably not a good idea to start a war with your VP. It's him, rather than the principal, who is in a position to help or hinder you during your contract period here. Piss him off if you must, but don't be surprised if it comes back to bite you later.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

You gotta pick your battles and this clearly isn't one of them.

I also think it could be great fun. It all depends on your attitude. Kick around a soccer ball with some of the kids. Do some rock-paper-scissor games. Get the kids to speak English in a fun setting. I'd relish something like this. Probably the easiest and best 20 minutes of your day. And you get to leave early!!