Seems like schools hold all the cards at this point...
Posted: Sat May 16, 2020 5:51 am
Just trying to imagine what all the newly-hired teachers beginning work at new schools in July/August 2020 are going through at the moment. We've already confirmed that schools are reneging on contracts months after hiring teachers this recruiting season with no compensation or severance offered. At least those teachers were not informed at the last possible moment so they have a chance of finding another job. However, there are newly-hired teachers who haven't been officially "laid off" yet and many have NOT been given assurances by their new schools that there will be jobs for them. Those that have received assurances/guarantees are ok. But the ones that haven't have to be really struggling now. For these teachers, their new schools still expect them to report IF they are needed at the school (meaning enrollment doesn't dip too much) and the borders are open. And at the same time, they very well could be laid off at the last moment.
So for the teachers who are- 1. "hired" at a new school to start in July/August, 2. haven't been laid off (yet), but 3. at the same time haven't been guaranteed that the school will honor the contract signed, what are they to do?
We've heard "have a backup plan" often enough, however, other than "Oh, if I do get laid off, I would immediately start looking for another international job through Search, TIE, etc." or "If I get sacked, I will go back to my home country to teach." But shouldn't these teachers be looking RIGHT NOW for another (secure) job, again assuming this new school won't guarantee their jobs? Why do schools get to have the kind of power that says "You signed a contract with us and as of now, and you need to be available to start with us, just in case we need you. But we won't guarantee that will be the case or offer any kind of severance in July/August if we lay you off due to enrollment issues, border closings, etc." Isn't it only fair that these teachers should be able to OPENLY apply and interview for other jobs, instead of having to wait to be laid off (which it looks like will happen to many)? And if they do find a suitable replacement position, shouldn't they be able to resign from the first school, without any malice, stain on their reputation, or problems from recruitment agencies like Search or ISS?
I think we can all empathize with these teachers since they are really stuck in limbo and some (not all) schools have shown that they are cut-throat and only think about what's best for their school.
So for the teachers who are- 1. "hired" at a new school to start in July/August, 2. haven't been laid off (yet), but 3. at the same time haven't been guaranteed that the school will honor the contract signed, what are they to do?
We've heard "have a backup plan" often enough, however, other than "Oh, if I do get laid off, I would immediately start looking for another international job through Search, TIE, etc." or "If I get sacked, I will go back to my home country to teach." But shouldn't these teachers be looking RIGHT NOW for another (secure) job, again assuming this new school won't guarantee their jobs? Why do schools get to have the kind of power that says "You signed a contract with us and as of now, and you need to be available to start with us, just in case we need you. But we won't guarantee that will be the case or offer any kind of severance in July/August if we lay you off due to enrollment issues, border closings, etc." Isn't it only fair that these teachers should be able to OPENLY apply and interview for other jobs, instead of having to wait to be laid off (which it looks like will happen to many)? And if they do find a suitable replacement position, shouldn't they be able to resign from the first school, without any malice, stain on their reputation, or problems from recruitment agencies like Search or ISS?
I think we can all empathize with these teachers since they are really stuck in limbo and some (not all) schools have shown that they are cut-throat and only think about what's best for their school.