Korean Job Discussion Forums

[screw_driver]

Ok ive just started a new teaching job in Korea and the director is making me come into work at 3am and finishing at 11 am. The problem i have with this is because i sit aroudn for at least 3 hours a day doing nothing. Today ive sat for 6 hours straight doing absolutely zip. Ive had a chat to him about the hours but he says im full time and am required to be at school 8 hrs a day. I told him about other schools about how teachers just rock up to class 5 mins before class and he says thats their rules. Does anybody have any similar circumstances and what do you think i should do.

PS i am the only foreign teacher at this school.

Screw Driver

[screw_driver]

SOrry its 3 pm to 11 pm.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Isn't this what you dreamed about in college? Decent income; no work; cheap booze. What's the problem? I'll swap with you.

[Angelus]

I'm sure eventually you'll get more classes and then you'll probably be here complaining about having no breaks. hahha.

At my school, as soon as your done you're out of there.....whether it's 6,7, or 8pm. And if you aren't scheduled for any classes, you don't even have to come in. Isn't it great?

[VanIslander]

Jealousy is a painful thing.

Work the standard eight hours a day and be grateful that you have breaks during your work day to read, write or prep creatively or whatever. Find something to do with your free time in the office!

It's easy to be unhappy with what you've got when you compare it to others in other places.

Think of all those who have no breaks between their classes, or those are expected to work overtime, ten twelve hour days or those who work longer with split shifts.

Your cup is three-quarters full.

[UncleAlex]

In the public school sector we teachers are normally required to be at
school for 8 hours a day, although we teach an average 4 classes a day
during regular hours. I'd rather be doing this then teach up to 8 classes
back-to-back at a hagwon. Just hope your boss doesn't increase the
number of daily classes to the latter amount. You'll beg and crawl for
having nothing to do, if that's all you're doing now.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Khyron]

What does it say in the contract that you signed? (not that contracts are worth much in Korea...)

[screw_driver]

Contract doesnt actually state the working hours just 30 hours of teaching a week. However, when the recruiter sent me the advertisement it stated 4:20 - 10:30 pm. I guess i could look at it another way and say i am grateful for not having classes?

[Grotto]

If you dont have any classes just slip out quietly.

If they question you point out that your contract says 30 hours a week....so anything over 6 hours a day is overtime...if they wish to pay you overtime to sit around for an extra 2 hours a day otherwise tell them flatout that after 6 hours a day you are outta there!

Set down your rules early on because otherwise you will be following theirs for the rest of the year!

[TheUrbanMyth]

[marcus]

That's a sweet deal. Get some hobbies or do something wild and useful like learn Japanese.