Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wanderingsalsero]

I've only been here at my present public elementary school for about a month and, actually, the management seems a bit loose. So.....I don't know to what extent this is a real problem or not.

But, the other FET and the Korean co-teacher (who was formerly a 'FET Manager/Interpreter' but resigned because of lack of follow-up and support from the KET side.......they all are telling me that we're supposed to come into the office for 3 hours every other Saturday.

Yeah, I know that's not much time. But still, it's not in my contract and dI don't think it's actually in theirs either. I'm pretty sure it's not in the Canadian gal's contract but I can't say for certain about the Korean guy's.

So....I'm questioning where this practice even got started. I haven't actually talked to my Korean supervisor about it yet because she's been on vacation. But I plan on it.

What I'd like to know is what legal grounds I'm on if I point out that nowhere in my contract, in any form or fashion, does it say that I have to work Saturdays. All we do is just come in and 'suck air and grow hair' on Saturdays.

If I had some particular task, I could maybe see it. But I don't.

I know what could very likely happen. I could ask the question and they/she could say, "Yes, it's not in your contract but you still have to come in."

Would I be within my rights and what might be any reprecussions if I just politely said, "No.....it's not in my contract. And I don't want to come in just to do nothing, I don't have to come in and I wont'. I have better things to do on Saturday."

I should also mention that my contract specifically says:

"Article 7 (work hours) 1. Employee shall work from 9:00 to 5:00 (including maximum 5 classes) per a day for five (5) calendar days per a week fromo Monday through Friday and shall not work on Sundays and any national holidays of the Republic of Korea. On Saturdays employee must work in case of planning Saturday Program."

Is there any precedent on that kind of issue?

Thanks

[blackjack]

Korean teachers do. You don't

I have heard of other NET that have gone in on Saturdays and in return have got the same holidays as the korean teachers. You could try that approach

[jonpurdy]

Have them call your POE or EPIK/GEPIC/SMOE. They will straighten them out completely. It happened to me (just because my first co- didn't know any better as I was the first NET at the school) and there were no problems after that.

[Sadebugo1]

[nomad-ish]

[hockeyguy109]

As someone who has gone through this, let me give you my opinion.

I signed a contract with GEPIK to work at a Public School. It was an afterschool program/morning school program. Something very new they have never done before. I techinically worked for the school but worked mostly in an afterschool program that the government funded (which is rare). About 2 weeks into my contract, they "reminded" me that I have to teach 3 hours on Saturday. This was never mentioned to me before hand and not in the contract. When I made it clear that I did not want to work 6 days a week, they suggested that they might just have to "find someone who will".

I was super ticked off and was about ready to quit, but stuck it out just for the heck of it. As time went on (after a few months), the principle approached me. He told me that he knows how terrible it was to make me work 6 days a week, and wants to find a way to return the favor. So for the rest of my contract, I only worked 35 hours a week, plus he gave me 10 extra vacation days. I really enjoyed teaching my classes and the co-workers so the 6 days a week wasn't too terrible.

I thought I would give some new sound knowledge on this issue. But I have to warn you, not all principles are as nice as this. Chances are, you probably are screwed. I just thought I would bring in a little hope.

[oskinny1]

[Gwangjuboy]

Refuse. I was once asked to participate in a city hall-organised event on a Saturday - without pay. I absolutely refused to do so, especially considering the fact that the school had been less than accomodating with respect to my own requests. Additionallly, I received no pay increase that year either. Stand your ground and be polite at first. After that, if they get in your face about it, make sure you are equally as aggressive. I ended up giving the VP a rollocking in English when it became clear they wouldn't let it rest. Trust me; it worked a treat.

[Cerberus]

[wanderingsalsero]

Sounds to me like I need to have a serious discussion with my immediate supervisor. It's a Korean female.

As I alluded to before, she hasn't been around much lately. Because of her vacation time or something. I don't recall that she ever specifically said I had to work on Saturday. Where I got that word was actually from a Korean teacher....i.e. this younger guy who I mentioned had originally been hired to be the translator/manager between us NETs and the Koreans.

As he tells the story, he requested to the principle to be relieved of that duty for the reason that (a) the KETs were using him as a 'mouthpiece' or 'goon' to try to impose various ridiculous demands on the other two NETs who were there (one of whom I replaced after he finished his contract), and (b) they weren't doing anything about the requests that he was conveying to them from the NETs. In short, he didn't like being 'in the middle'.

That's what I meant when I said I wasn't sure where this 'work on Saturday' thing came from. I think it's possible that it's just something that somehow was assumed.

I do know that the guy I replaced, who the Koreans say didn't fit in very well, had some sort of confrontaton with them about coming in on Saturday. The result for him was that he did some sort of compensatory time at another school somewhere nearby. But I haven't been able to find out much about that arrangement yet.

But.......I guess I need to get ready to take the matter up the chain of command. Unfortunately, neither the Vice Principle nor the Principle speak any English.

Just as an additional element in this drama.....this school has had two previous teachers do midnight runners on them. I don't know any of the details. Probably a combination of the facts (1)that the school itself is in an area where there is ZERO to do (even though it's technically just outside of Gumi) (2) the management seems just kinda ignore our program (it's actually an 'after school' program....starts at 1:30 and goes til 4:30) and communication is further hindered by the very limited English of most of the KET staff.

It's really kinda wierd. It's been speculated that this XXXXXX English Village Program is simply a community PR project of the principal but beyond that and him throwing some money at it, it gets little more attention or respect.

thanks,
Art

P.S. Does anybody know where (and a contact) the Gyeongsungbuk-do POE is?

[cdninkorea]

[hockeyguy109]

[CentralCali]

Is this a regular public school position or an "after school program" position? If it's the latter, you're pretty much out of luck on the Saturday work rules as that seems to be in your contract.

[nero]

PRINCIPAL! principle!

Homework tonight is to look up the difference. Jeez, what the hell are you guys teaching your students? Sorry, you're students.

[wanderingsalsero]

Yeah.....it is an 'after school' program. But I don't see how or why that should mean that the English in the contract any less represents my or their obligations.

We don't do any kind of Saturday 'programs'. The only thing we do on Saturdays is come in here and suck air and grow hair for 3 hours. I just think it's ridiculous.

Thanks for the input though.

Regards,
Art