Korean Job Discussion Forums

[richinlondon]

Coming to a foreign country, my immediate thought would be to make good relations with fellow teachers, show them foreigners aren't jack asses and the like.

Having delved into the murky depths of ROK's mindset, it has been established that you HAVE to be unfriendly, not work too hard and certainly never offer any kind of extra curricular services (helping teachers with their English etc).

The basis for this rational; a Korean mindset that thinks a hard worker is a dumb worker someone who cant be flexible when it comes to dodging extra work.

I've had it explained to me and it all kind of makes sense now.

I feel for the people who must try so hard and the worse it gets, the harder they try, never understanding their kindness is always taken for granted and they are seen as a yes man, a pushover who commands no respect.

A few months into my contract, I'm glad I've had this explained now as opposed to later down the line where respect could never be reclaimed!

Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences?

[jkelly80]

Say 'no', say it politely, say it often and with a smile on your face. We're not Korean, we'll never be accepted as such, we shouldn't have to play by their ridiculous workplace rules.

[VanIslander]

i signed a contract in which it explicits states - as we agreed - that I shall never work on Fridays nor weekends yet THE VERY FIRST friday I got a call at 6pm asking me to come in and work, and i simply HUNG UP the phone. An hour later text messaging a reminder of the contract and how someone else could be hired instead if the contract doesn't work for them

the exact same thing happened at my last job three years ago, the very first weekend! (it's like they are 8 year olds testing boundaries, acting out to see what they can get away with, well aware of what they are doing, quick to backtrack if called on)

you have to firmly nip it in the bud right away, or else you'll be walked all over

a personal decision: know where to draw the line and where to be flexible

[richinlondon]

It's true, I said I wouldn't compromose my own integrity but it could be quite fun playing by Korean rules?!

I was told not to smile too actually, that would be a major compromise though.

I might have lost all my respectability I fear, I'll have to let rip soon I fear to gain back some of my credibility in the staff room...I can see it coming when I tell that teacher to turn her bleedin' phone onto silent and stop it ting a lingin every 2 minutes....literally...she doesnt even check the ting a ling....

[richinlondon]

[wylies99]

I would definitely agree with this thought. Even the "good" employers will test you early in your contract- maybe even the first day or first week.
Be polite and be able to say "no" and mean it.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Many people would accuse me of letting myself be exploited by my school, but then I'm kind of a workaholic. I do feel that I'm appreciated and my school is very flexible with me, and I think that's largely in part to the fact that I try to go the extra mile. I also don't put up with shit and get away with it.

[SandyG21]

All the advice in this thread is exactly the same for in the states IMO. Once an employer or coworkers know they can stick it to you - they will.

[Johnny_Bravo]

[richinlondon]

[Cerriowen]

I'd agree... but it can be done politely, asking them nicely to stick to the contract, or just that it doesn't work for you.

My first week at GEPIK my school told me they had saturday morning classes for me. I said that didn't work for me, because I had things to do on Saturday. They said "weeeell, the contract says we can ask you to work on saturday!" I said "Yes. You asked. I said 'no thankyou, I can't'." They were a bit pissy about it, but since I replied nicely and wasn't confrontational about it, we still had a great working relationship.

You'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar!

Yes it's in the contract, but in korea they think they can renegotiate at any time. Be firm, but polite. Use lots of "difficult, can't, hard, not able" rather than "no"... if you want a good relationship that is.

[Johnny_Bravo]

cerriowen I am a little confused.

the gepik contract specifically states you are NOT to work weekends, (though I suppose you can agree to if asked).

but it's very clear you cannot be forced to work weekends according to standard GEPIK contract.

was yours changed or altered in any way?

[Rteacher]

Arguably, "not be forced to work on weekends" can be interpreted to mean "not be forced to regularly work on weekends".

Being asked to show up for one - or even two - Saturdays a year for some special school function shouldn't be that big a deal (if you're getting the other 50 weekends off...)

[Cerriowen]

the 2008 contract said that I wasn't required to work saturdays, but they could *ask* me if I wanted to do after school and saturday work. ASK... not require. The school took that to mean if they asked, I had to say yes. I explained to them that wasn't the case. They were irritated, but accepted it.

[Johnny_Bravo]