So I was merrily working yesterday....finishing my job at my school I really like, where I've had an excellent experience...where the pay and hours are excellent, the co-workers are nice, I can walk five minutes to get to work, where my girlfriends work is 10minutes away..... an oasis in a sea of corrupt bosses and contract disputes....an Oasis where I think they are the best bosses possible, and they think I'm the best foreign teacher they've ever had.....
I was merrily working, finishing the day, having reached the 11 month mark of my contract, and being quite sure of my desire to come back and work a few months more after summer....while I wait for said girlfriend to find out if she wins the working holiday visa lottery to go to Canada.
As I said, I was merrily working when my bosses sat us down (me and Chad, the American teacher) and said "Next week, starting Monday, we need to start giving English classes for this company, over the lunch hour....at their office....in a different town. Every day. Forever. And by the way, you don't get paid extra." (Of course, I'm paraphrasing....but anyways )
Followed by awkward silence. Lots of it. "Diplomatic conflict avoidant" Matt waged a brief, valiant, but ultimately fruitless battle against "That's insane" Matt. Diplomatic Matt lived on, but I'm afraid C.A. Matt didn't make it.
What does one say to that anyway? Let me break it down in case you missed it....
3 hours of extra work including travel time....every day being 11:30-8:00 instead of 2:30-8:00
0 extra pay.
0 known end date for this horrendous schedule.
3 (At least) places that this idea goes against the contract I signed.
Needless to say my "keeboon" 기분 (mood) was not exactly "cho-ah" 좋아 (good)
Not sure why they think we would agree to this....I mean, the teaching hours are within the
amount that we agreed to in our contract...that part is fine....but I can't help but think they
are using the fact that I'm dating Jenny and thinking I won't say no because of that...
Got news for them....there are a lot of schools that want teachers in Wonju....and this change
takes my schedule from the best to the worst....so what kind of idiot would sign that deal
again??
Illusion shattered. Comfort zone obliterated. Plans in flux. Inflatable Oasis hissing air and losing
its shape. Sigh.
4 comments:
Wow, lousy news, Matt!
It almost puts you and the Sedins in the same boat - can you say 'free agency' starting tomorrow? Wait, it IS tomorrow for you already...you probably already know what the Sedins did?!??
What if you just said 'no'? Does that make an impasse tilted in your favour, or does that mean buh-bye to your end-of-year bonus payment?
Is is possible for you to take your slide rule and abacus and scoot off to another school nearby?
Time to step it up to Diplomatic Ninja Matt... Or maybe Incredible Hulk Matt ("you wouldn't like me when I'm angry...")
Hang in there!
Well that totally sucks. Let us know about any new developments.
Hey, I'm no expert in contract negotiations here, let alone Korea. But I am familiar with "Corporate-speak". Even though they won't budge and you have no options, it still may be the right thing to ask them to explain "how this all fits" into your contract agreement. Give them a chance to "define themselves" by expounding their policies and principles.
I'll be praying for you.
Dad
Much insight have you. I suspect if I demonstrate an "uncooperative" attitude or foreigners 'laziness' syndrome, than I may pay for that choice in bonus $. Even though it's illegal. Especially since this move by them shows them to be in need of cash. Especially because they can, and I will have a hard time fighting it.
My last day they owe me about $5500
On the other hand, they were upset with Amy and still didn't rip her off. Not sure what will happen.
Anyway, my options are,
1. say I'll do it for a month until I'm finished because I like them...and that I won't come back after summer if that's the situation and then change schools (and apartments) which would be a big pain.
2. Just stay home after summer. But Jenny was really wanting to make the trip to Canada together...and I don't know how she'd like that plan.
3. Come back on a holiday visa and teach at random places...perfectly possible...but then I have no house.And it's not really legal either.
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