Search found 6 matches

by clarita
Sun Jul 11, 2021 6:03 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes
Replies: 19
Views: 16130

Re: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes

Ah, thank you, I'm well aware of the difference between contractual and non-contractual, which is why it matters so much that you can trust an organisation to honour its (written) word and why I raised the question. Had this been a contractual breach then I'd have had no hesitation about insisting or withdrawing.

It may be that they had no intention of honouring this 'agreement' and simply said it to get me to sign. However, I'd like to think that they genuinely intended to keep to their word and for some oversight or admin glitch it's been forgotten.

If the first, then I'm not inclined to cross the globe during a pandemic to work for them. If the second, they will do what they can to remedy it now.

We will see.
by clarita
Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:35 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes
Replies: 19
Views: 16130

Re: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes

Thank you both - those are exactly the kind of questions I've been asking myself and it helps to hear/read them from others.

FWIW, while this 'understanding' isn't in the contract itself, it was part of the offer, which was reworded to cover it.

Yes, my option will be back to a job search but it's perhaps better to do that now rather than wanting to start after 6 months or a year in post.

These are strange times. I've worked overseas for many years and in many different places but the current situation makes it feel much more of a risk this time round and I feel much more warier than I have in the past.

I will keep thinking and keep talking to the school about this to see if there is a way around it.
by clarita
Thu Jul 08, 2021 6:11 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes
Replies: 19
Views: 16130

Non-contractual 'understandings' and changes

Hi
I accepted and signed a contract a few months ago. At the time I queried certain aspects of that contract and received assurance that the school is flexible and accommodating where possible and does its best for the staff.

Now some changes have become evident and it seems that, precisely in the key areas I asked about, there is not so much flexibility at all. At the moment there is intransigence and this is being blamed on having already put in place certain arrangements which I had raised concerns and doubts about at the time. Had my concerns been taken into account at the time, those arrangements would not have been made and the current situation would have an easy solution.

I feel like this is a Big Red Flag. Maybe I will feel differently in a day or two but right now I feel as though travelling across the globe to work for a company which promises one thing and delivers another, which ignores concerns raised, would be a huge mistake, particularly in Covid times when moving on or moving out might not be so easy. If I back out now, I will feel very bad about it. On the other hand, if I get there and find this is typical behaviour, I will feel bad for not having heeded warning signs before travelling and will be stuck there.

The school is part of a big organisation so, if I withdrew now I'd be finished with them for ever. On the other hand. would I want to work for the same organisation anyway given the issues with trust I'm having now?

Any advice gratefully received.
by clarita
Wed Jul 07, 2021 12:23 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Contract
Replies: 13
Views: 13427

Re: Contract

I suspect your situation is far from unique this year.

My paperwork currently appears to be going nowhere, I am in regular contact with the school but whenever I ask the question about "what happens if...?" I get no response.

In a way, I fully understand it. If the school tells me they will have to cancel the contract at some point, they know I will have to start looking for work elsewhere and may accept another contract. I know they are doing the best for them in trying to keep their options open, but it's very frustrating.

I hope it works out for you, whatever.
by clarita
Fri Jun 04, 2021 2:27 pm
Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
Topic: Teaching in Italian International Schools
Replies: 8
Views: 31275

Re: Teaching in Italian International Schools

nannubu wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> Could anybody share their experiences of teaching in Italian International
> Schools? For example, I have heard the pay can be quite poor - is it enough
> to cover living expenses in a city such as Rome or Barcelona? Also, I have
> three children. I know the law in Spain means the IS must enrol your
> children. Is it the same in Italy?
> Any advice or insights gratefully received. Anna

I think you'd struggle to get a job in Italy that would pay enough for you to live in Barcelona.
by clarita
Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:21 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Avoid Swiss boarding schools
Replies: 68
Views: 157056

Re: Avoid Swiss boarding schools

I spent a while at a Swiss boarding school

Yes, the salary is high. Yes, the cost of living is also very high and means savings are limited.

BUT Switzerland, described above as dull, is absolutely beautiful and if you like the outdoors, walking etc, it's very easy to get around with an excellent network of trains. Yes, it's expensive to do so of course, but for me it was a fantastic experience and I did also manage to save a bit. Also, I was near Geneva which is a hub airport for low cost flights all over Europe.

I think Switzerland might be worth it for those who intend to stay long term - your pension contributions from such a high salary will make a decent pension at the end of it, and you could then live well in a less expensive country.