Topic: Ajarn.com hot seat interview with someone from Bangkok Christian College

[JJ]

Welcome back mongers !!!!!!!  Guess you missed me !! Well, BCC IEP Dept. is alive and doing well. I'm not sure about the other depts. because I don't work in them, so don't ask me about them. We had a nice long holiday in October and another coming next month.  We had several, 5 or so, teachers return to their countries, 1 got an IT job at a company here in Bkk and 1 was promoted to the head of the EIP dept., and we have hired new ones in their place.  NO ONE was fired or quit because of any problems in our dept.. Of course during the hiring process, we sussed out 2 trying to get in with fake degrees.  Anyone who would like a tour is welcome to come and you can even sit in one of my classes if you'd like.  Please remember also, about my hotseat interview, that when Phil edited and typed it, he accidentally even added some things to it that were not said by me.  So the grammar and spelling mistakes you see in it ARE NOT FROM ME ! 
I really like Phil and the ajarn website, but I'm not sure what happened during the editing process.  Anyway, such is life and it goes on.  Fire away.........cheers

[JJ]

Also, before you ask, yes, they were paid holidays, yes, everyone in this dept. completed probation, no, we didn't have to work during the holiday period or attend sleepovers, camps or anything else.
Sorry to blackmail for the late response, but, no I don't like being patronized by admin. and be told how 'special' I am to the school and then see the gate 'security guards' and students only wai Thai teachers and never foreign teachers,  but again, it's their country, TIT.
And, yes, I experienced things in the military that make the daily rigors of any other job laughable, and I do often shake my head and think,'what the hell are they thinking', but it does not make me angry or stressed by any stretch....ttfn

[samvimes]

We had several, 5 or so, teachers return to their countries

So basically what you are telling us is that 5 people did not complete their contracts??

we sussed out 2 trying to get in with fake degrees.

 

Could you let us know how you actually managed to suss them out, have things changed after Mr Carr, BCC's most famous teacher? 

I'm sorry but I don't think your vetting process will stand up to any scrutiny. Any business who asks "can you start tomorrow" has no time to check and vet their staff.

There are still many issues
Do you have your work permit or do the school still keep it?
Do you have your part of your teaching licence?
Do you know or have you ever seen the salary scale?
Do all students pass automatically?
Do Thai teachers simply just walk into a room with a western teacher in the middle of the class, ignoring the westerner?
Do you still have to swipe in and out like a blue collar doofus?

There still seems to be a huge basic lack of respect for the western teachers at BCC and I still think it deserves its lousy reputation.

Also, before you ask, yes, they were paid holidays,

Big deal, everyone who is on a contract gets paid holidays.

Are they still illegally keeping some of your money??? 20,000 baht?

It doesn't  seem any  better organized/managed.

[JJ]

Hi Sam,
the people that left had all been with BCC for more than 1 year and had completed their contracts.  No, not all teachers at all schools get 40 paid working days holiday by contract.  Yes, there is a lack of common courtesy for foreigners, but I could care a less.  I get paid the same if they throw rose petals at my feet and bow in my presence or just ignore me.  It's a job.
Yes, they still keep 4000. baht per month for the first 5 months, total 20,000 baht and return it to you plus interest upon competion of your 1 year contract, or at the end of your second year. If you give the 6 week notice before completion of your contract, it will be returned as well.
Work permit can be picked up anytime. 
So, it is getting better....maybe we'll hire John Gotti next week........cheers

[Mods-Rockers]

Sorry a little confused here, I always understood that the requirement under Thai law was to give 30 days notice, yet BCC will not, from what you say, return the "deposit" unless you accepts their bending of the law and post 42 days notice, nice what!

[samvimes]

the people that left had all been with BCC for more than 1 year and had completed their contracts.

Confusing I think. If you finish a 1 year contract and then sign a new 1 year contract and then leave half way through the new contract; doesn't that mean you broke the contract???

[JJ]

Sam, yes, if you want to extend, you can sign a new contract and leave anytime after giving the 6 weeks advance notice.
Mods,  THAI LAW???  Ha ha ha haha ha lol, what is that??? Thai law?   How long have you been in Thailand.   nice one...........cheers

[hero]

Mods,  THAI LAW?Huh??  Ha ha ha haha ha lol, what is that??? Thai law?

It's the law of Thailand.  It applies to Thais and farangs in terms of employment, offering legal protection for employees and a fair deal for all.  We are just as entitled to expect that the law be adhered to as are Thai employees.  If you want to be screwed out of a fair deal and scoff at those who insist the law is upheld, well that says a lot about you frankly!

[Mods-Rockers]

Mods,  THAI LAW???  Ha ha ha haha ha lol, what is that??? Thai law?   How long have you been in Thailand.   nice one...........cheers

Well seeing as how you work for a school that is notorious for disregarding that law yopu may well take that attitude, but there again you seemed willing to sell your soul on that proviso. personally I prefer legality and freedom, and BTW a few more years than you I have no doubt.

[JJ]

It was a joke, genius.   Jeezzzzzzzzz, where do some of these people come from?

[hero]

I'm sure all the teachers that have been shat on by BCC are laughing with you!

[Ronaldo]

Well Said Hero...

JJ you may feel that Thai law is to be scoffed at but it is there to protect both parties and believe it or not the vast majority of Thai's and foreigners here respect the rule of law, equally there are quite a few learning establishments that respect it as well, hence you don't see them being maligned on forums such as this one or elsewhere.

[Uncle Che]

Thai Schools and administrators wouldn't waste a minute using any law to their advantage in any situation with a farang. JJ, you only are told that the law means nothing because then you won't try legal means when you are screwed over.

[Mods-Rockers]

It was a joke, genius.   Jeezzzzzzzzz, where do some of these people come from?

You have studied under Kerux, latly of another forum. His favorite retort to one of his saying that blew back in his face was "I was only having a joke" the trouble is that you are not up to the speed of your master.

[samvimes]

Hi JJ,

Sam, yes, if you want to extend, you can sign a new contract and leave anytime after giving the 6 weeks advance notice.
Mods,  THAI LAW???  Ha ha ha haha ha lol, what is that??? Thai law?   How long have you been in Thailand.   nice one...........cheers

That's crap isn't it  BCC give a 1 year contract followed by another one year contract ad infinitum. Even if you give the 3 months notice they normally want, you are still breaking contract.

I've been in Thailand a long time JJ, in fact I know many people from a Thai university you have had the pleasure of dealing with in the past.  and they did mention some interesting things about some people having credentials that were a little bit fishy.....

The law is the law and BCC pay scant attention to it and have already been made to face the music before. Thai employment law is well on the side of the employee in any dispute.

cheers