We know you don't want to read the internal regulations. Why would anyone in their right mind want to read the internal regulations? Boooooooooooo-ring, right?
Just listen to us. If you haven't signed the contract yet, great! There's still time.
If you already signed the contract, consider finding an alternative school that will pay you more and provide you with a much more decent experience in Moscow.
If you please, pluck your Internal Regulations for BKC Full-time Contract Teachers document you have buried in a mass pile of paper on your desk.
Pay close attention to these:
2.1 - Teachers are required to carry out oral and written instructions from the head of Recruitment department, Senior teachers, Assistant Director of Studies (ADOS), Director of Studies (DOS) and General Director and to fulfil his/her duties.
Problem - every single one of the aforementioned people will give you contradictory instructions on how to "fulfil your duties".
2.10 - Teachers are expected to be in the school, where they are teaching, at least 20 minutes before the class is due to start.
Problem - we don't get paid for this. Even if you happen to work at only one school, and happen to work only 5 days a week, that adds up to one hour and 40 minutes per week of unpaid work.
5.2 - Teachers will not be paid for the first 3 days of absence from work through illness. For any further consecutive days of illness (beyond 3 days), teachers will be paid 50% of their gross salary (see payment guidelines for details).
Problem - no sick pay. except a measly 25 bucks or so starting on the fourth day.
5.4 - Regular or persistent sick leave can result in early termination of the contract.
Problem - huh? you're planning on sacking me because I get sick too much? you see those old guys hawking and hacking on the streets and in the metro? Oh no, BKC, you're right, it's all my fault.
6.3 - Teachers cannot take holidays later than 2 weeks before the end of the contract. Teachers cannot book holiday time to be taken after they complete their contract. They will be paid for the number of holidays earned but not taken.
Problem - we got together and tried to figure out what this means. We think it means that we can't use our holiday time past our contract. No shit? We also don't see why we can't take a holiday in the two weeks before contract ends. Stupid.
6.4 - Unpaid Leave. Teachers may be asked to take unpaid leave between June and August if there is not enough work in their branch school. If a teacher does not take unpaid leave, they may be moved to another Satellite or Central School or Summer Camp where there is work or they will undertake other educational work as directed by the school director. If a teacher wishes to remain in a school flat during an extended period of unpaid leave (more than 5 working days) he/she will be asked to pay rent.
Problem: If your contract runs through the months of June, July, or August (one of ours does), then that means you'll either be moved, get to do lots of stupid shit work for the Evil Queen, get shipped off to camp or, in a twisted scam - you will actually end up paying BKC, and not the other way around.
6.6 On public holidays when BKC schools are closed, teachers will have days off, which are not counted as working days.
Problem - this extends your contract, those sneaky bastards. this also means you don't get paid.
6.7 - Teachers working on public holidays when BKC schools are open will receive double pay.
Problem - they just like to throw this in there to make it look good. nobody ever works on public holidays.
6.8 - The school will be closed for winter holidays from the 31st December to the 7th of January. These days muist be taken out of the paid holiday.
Problem - oh, silly me, i thought i could take my holiday as i pleased. no? all those days off are forced holiday? thanks for telling me. nice of ya! WHAT THE FUCK? That's not holiday time, that's a public fucking holiday!
7.3 The company guarantees that it will take a teacher not more than an hour to get from a school where they teach to the flat they are provided with.
Problem - this is a bloody fucking lie. One of us has a commute that takes her anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours one way from her flat to her school.
7.7 The company cannot guarantee that all teachers will have the same standard of accommodation in terms of facilities, fittings, size of flat and convenience of location.
Problem - this is BKC-Moscow-speak for "We'll give the best apartments to our friends, and the ones that give us chocolate and vodka. Oh, and that cute American boy who invited us to his party. He'll get a good flat, too."
7.14 For teachers taking more than 2 calendar weeks leave (paid or unpaid) at any one time, the school cannot guarantee that they can return to the same flat they were living in before.
Problem - YES, it is a possibility that if you go on holiday and return 2 weeks later, BKC will tell you that you no longer live there. You live in this other flat. Across the city. How will you move your stuff? They don't care. Why was some strange wanker living in your room while you were on holiday? They don't care.
8.1 Teachers will receive reimbursement towards the cost of their return air ticket to Russia. This will be refunded as follows: 50% after 90 calendar days of teaching and the remainder on completion of the contract.
Problem - This is a lie. This year, we all received our 50% late. Took them a paycheck or two to finally give us the money.
12. VISA
We're not gonna touch the visa mess right now because it's a total cluster fuck right now. We'll try to post the latest and greatest from Russia and BKC Moscow as soon as possible.
14. Disciplinary Procedures
Just ignore all of that. It's all a big pile of horse shit. There are a lot of stupid teachers around you, and some of them just get tossed. There are a lot of good teachers around you too, and they also get tossed by the Evil Queen if they didn't do the proper bowing and curtsying and chocolate giving.
The most important thing to know is that you can get sacked for whatever reason and you're on your own in terms of getting back to whichever country you came from. Try to find a new job, whatever you do. And don't give them your visa. Trust us on this one.
15. Notice of Termination
Ignore all that happy horse shit, too. If you want to get the hell out of BKC Moscow, then go ahead and give them their 4-week notice. Do as they say. And maybe, maybe, just maybe, you'll get the money they owe you when you leave.
But we don't advise counting on that.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
BKC Moscow Time Tabling - The Way They Treat BKC Teachers
This post has been removed per request of teacher. Unfortunately we could not publish the teacher's comments because they included the teacher's name. Reminder -- when you comment on this blog, do not leave your real name if you are a BKC teacher.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
BKC Moscow Teachers! You Must Bow to the Evil Queen. Bow to the Students!
Most of you are young and eager. We were just like you once. We were sold the dream, only to see it die.
This is BKC Moscow's way of telling you that you must do exactly as the students tell you. They are in charge of you, not the other way of them. Fail to submit will result in damage. Do exactly as the students tell you. If it is impossible to do so, you still must do it. You have no authority. That is why we have overheard some of you, at Boro, telling the other rookies that your adult students have ousted you from your classes.
You are, quite simply, a liability to BKC International House Moscow. The students are an asset.
From the BKC Moscow Weekly News:
STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM
Dear teachers,
In order to increase student retention by providing classes students are happy with, we have introduced a student feedback form. The form is to be given to your adult students with the progress/end of level test, and will let you know what the learners think about the content and level of difficulty of the materials you use, what they want more/ less of, what they think about the course book etc. If you’ve already done the first progress test it’s still a good idea to give the students the feedback form, to see what they think about the course.
The forms are to be given by the teacher to the students, then collected by the teacher. After you look at them and decide how to adapt your classes to the students’ feedback, pass the forms to the ADOS of your school.
Please tell your students why you are giving them these forms (to find out how to better adapt the lessons to what they want) and ask them to be honest in their feedback.
Ask your LO/ ADOS for a copy of the form or download it from the Teachers’ Forum.
Thank you.
No, thank YOU, BKC. Thank you for entrusting us to not do our jobs correctly.
This is BKC Moscow's way of telling you that you must do exactly as the students tell you. They are in charge of you, not the other way of them. Fail to submit will result in damage. Do exactly as the students tell you. If it is impossible to do so, you still must do it. You have no authority. That is why we have overheard some of you, at Boro, telling the other rookies that your adult students have ousted you from your classes.
You are, quite simply, a liability to BKC International House Moscow. The students are an asset.
From the BKC Moscow Weekly News:
STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM
Dear teachers,
In order to increase student retention by providing classes students are happy with, we have introduced a student feedback form. The form is to be given to your adult students with the progress/end of level test, and will let you know what the learners think about the content and level of difficulty of the materials you use, what they want more/ less of, what they think about the course book etc. If you’ve already done the first progress test it’s still a good idea to give the students the feedback form, to see what they think about the course.
The forms are to be given by the teacher to the students, then collected by the teacher. After you look at them and decide how to adapt your classes to the students’ feedback, pass the forms to the ADOS of your school.
Please tell your students why you are giving them these forms (to find out how to better adapt the lessons to what they want) and ask them to be honest in their feedback.
Ask your LO/ ADOS for a copy of the form or download it from the Teachers’ Forum.
Thank you.
No, thank YOU, BKC. Thank you for entrusting us to not do our jobs correctly.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Actual Email from a BKC Moscow ADOS Telling You That You Must Help BKC Make More Money
When you go on holiday, you will receive an email like this from your BKC Moscow ADOS. This comes from an actual email sent to a teacher:
I see that you're having some time off. In the past, we've had students who ask for a break in lessons when they know that their teacher is going to be on holiday, which is a bit of a nuisance for the school and loses us money. If you tell your students that you will be away, explain that they will have a cover teacher, and encourage them to come for lessons as normal during your holiday.
We are not sure why it is our responsibility for BKC to not lose money, since they pay us poverty salaries.
I see that you're having some time off. In the past, we've had students who ask for a break in lessons when they know that their teacher is going to be on holiday, which is a bit of a nuisance for the school and loses us money. If you tell your students that you will be away, explain that they will have a cover teacher, and encourage them to come for lessons as normal during your holiday.
We are not sure why it is our responsibility for BKC to not lose money, since they pay us poverty salaries.
Monday, November 30, 2009
We Don't Get Paid for Holidays? We Thought We Did! That's What You Told Us!
Originally posted by a teacher on the BKC Moscow Teacher's Forum
Money money money
November 30, 2009
This maybe only applies to contract teachers.
Did you work extra (catch up/cover) hours in the week Nov 2 to 7 in the expectation of being paid for them? We were led to believe we would be at the teachers meeting in October. (The assurance has been 're-interpreted' - as below.)
Did you find out on pay day that that the extra hours weren't paid? (as I did) The reason given when you enquired being that the extra hours merely replaced the hours 'lost' on the Nov 4 (paid?) holiday.
If that happened, let your Teacher Reps know as soon as possible at reps@bkc.ru
Meanwhile, I suggest that if you are asked to work extra hours in a week where there is a national holiday, you were ill or for any other reason missed a day or more, DON'T!!! Under current payment guidelines there's every chance you won't be paid for them unless the total hours worked that week - holidays etc don't count in salary calculations - exceed your contracted hours. If you are under hours it's a different situation - then you have to work up to your contracted load, but no more in that week.
The way to get paid is to do the extra hours in another pay week where you actually work your normal contracted/scheduled hours. Then it will be counted as overtime.
Tricky, isn't it!
Another way to tackle this in future, of course, is not to do catch-ups or cover classes at all if you have the weekly hours to refuse, no-one (ADoses and Senior Teachers excepted, I believe) is obliged to do overtime. Take note that there are more holidays around New Year and that Timetabling will be looking for cover lessons, as many of our teachers will be on leave. Only do the extra hours if you are guaranteed payment as overtime, in writing/by email, and it suits you.
Money money money
November 30, 2009
This maybe only applies to contract teachers.
Did you work extra (catch up/cover) hours in the week Nov 2 to 7 in the expectation of being paid for them? We were led to believe we would be at the teachers meeting in October. (The assurance has been 're-interpreted' - as below.)
Did you find out on pay day that that the extra hours weren't paid? (as I did) The reason given when you enquired being that the extra hours merely replaced the hours 'lost' on the Nov 4 (paid?) holiday.
If that happened, let your Teacher Reps know as soon as possible at reps@bkc.ru
Meanwhile, I suggest that if you are asked to work extra hours in a week where there is a national holiday, you were ill or for any other reason missed a day or more, DON'T!!! Under current payment guidelines there's every chance you won't be paid for them unless the total hours worked that week - holidays etc don't count in salary calculations - exceed your contracted hours. If you are under hours it's a different situation - then you have to work up to your contracted load, but no more in that week.
The way to get paid is to do the extra hours in another pay week where you actually work your normal contracted/scheduled hours. Then it will be counted as overtime.
Tricky, isn't it!
Another way to tackle this in future, of course, is not to do catch-ups or cover classes at all if you have the weekly hours to refuse, no-one (ADoses and Senior Teachers excepted, I believe) is obliged to do overtime. Take note that there are more holidays around New Year and that Timetabling will be looking for cover lessons, as many of our teachers will be on leave. Only do the extra hours if you are guaranteed payment as overtime, in writing/by email, and it suits you.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Hello, Fresh Meat - We Mean, BKC Moscow Teachers of 2009/2010
We wish you'd stop skipping and jumping and acting like you're King of the World. It's giving us a headache.
Sorry, that's just our bitterness speaking.
Here's what we wanted to tell you: holiday is coming. Oh, you want to go home for the holiday? Too bad. Too late. BKC Moscow says so. Unless you requested holiday time the minute you arrived to Moscow, you get nothing.
From the BKC IH MOSCOW WEEKLY NEWS
Dear teachers,
1. Attention! Holidays!
We are not able to approve any more holiday requests for January. Sorry for the inconvenience.
We will appreciate if you discuss your holiday plans with your students in a more positive way (i.e. encourage them to continue classes even with a cover teacher, etc.)
this means that if any of the students do not come to class while you are gone, you will be blamed for this. you, the new teacher, barely into your second month of teaching, are now in charge of making sure students stay in class when BKC Moscow tells them to.
Sorry, that's just our bitterness speaking.
Here's what we wanted to tell you: holiday is coming. Oh, you want to go home for the holiday? Too bad. Too late. BKC Moscow says so. Unless you requested holiday time the minute you arrived to Moscow, you get nothing.
From the BKC IH MOSCOW WEEKLY NEWS
Dear teachers,
1. Attention! Holidays!
We are not able to approve any more holiday requests for January. Sorry for the inconvenience.
We will appreciate if you discuss your holiday plans with your students in a more positive way (i.e. encourage them to continue classes even with a cover teacher, etc.)
this means that if any of the students do not come to class while you are gone, you will be blamed for this. you, the new teacher, barely into your second month of teaching, are now in charge of making sure students stay in class when BKC Moscow tells them to.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Funny Stuff - WORK FOR FREE FOR BKC!
So, if you're counting your rubles and thinking wow oh wow I am just one rich mother fucker - well, consider doing volunteer work for your employer! The following bulletin comes courtesy of the BKC Weekly News:
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
We are looking for volunteers for one of our new projects. For those clients who can not attend language courses in our usual format several times a week we will be offering 1 day intensive training programmes on a variety of topics. Such courses will be held on Fridays and/or weekends in central locations mostly. If you have relevant experience and/or are interested in exploring a particular area, please let us know. The EMT has prepared a selection of supplementary materials and guidelines for teachers, however, your personal input and initiative is also much appreciated!There is also a possibility for two teachers to share the same course (morning-afternoon slots), so if you have a partner for tandem teaching, please let us know that, too.
Now, do you think that BKC Moscow GETS PAID from the clients that are taking these intensive training programs? Of course they do. But BKC Moscow is too fucking cheap to pass any of that money your way. That's right. BKC expects you to do it out of the kindness of your heart.
We are speechless.
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
We are looking for volunteers for one of our new projects. For those clients who can not attend language courses in our usual format several times a week we will be offering 1 day intensive training programmes on a variety of topics. Such courses will be held on Fridays and/or weekends in central locations mostly. If you have relevant experience and/or are interested in exploring a particular area, please let us know. The EMT has prepared a selection of supplementary materials and guidelines for teachers, however, your personal input and initiative is also much appreciated!There is also a possibility for two teachers to share the same course (morning-afternoon slots), so if you have a partner for tandem teaching, please let us know that, too.
Now, do you think that BKC Moscow GETS PAID from the clients that are taking these intensive training programs? Of course they do. But BKC Moscow is too fucking cheap to pass any of that money your way. That's right. BKC expects you to do it out of the kindness of your heart.
We are speechless.
Friday, November 6, 2009
The BKC Moscow Doctor
So you've been in Moscow for a few weeks or for a few months by now. There are a few things you probably already know about what will happen if you get sick.
- If you break your leg or require surgery, you will probably be terminated and sent home. BKC Moscow may or may not pay for your airline ticket for you to go home to your country.
- If you get sick, you will not be paid for any time off. You cannot use your holiday time for your sick days. You will receive a portion of your pay after the fourth day of illness.
- The Doctor BKC Moscow will send you is not a fluent English speaker. BKC Moscow will not provide you a translator.
- No matter what your symptoms are, the Doctor will almost always tell you that you have the flu and that you will recover in three days.
BKC Moscow teachers who have been around for awhile know that if they want an unpaid holiday, they just need to call BKC and say, "I'm sick." BKC may or may not send the doctor to your flat. No matter what you tell the Doctor, he will always say that you have the flu.
If you really are sick, then BKC will arrange for you to go to one of the state-run clinics in Russia. Field stories of the state-fun hospitals and clinics are horrific. We will be posting more first-hand accounts of these stories.
BKC Moscow, despite what they may want you to believe, does not offer you any type of insurance. The health care you receive is sub-standard, state-run facilities and treatment.
This is unfortunate, because there are actually several private hospitals, doctors and clinics that serve English speakers.
BKC Moscow will not pay for Western standard care for you, as a BKC teacher.
Stories from the field will be posted soon.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Warning to BKC Moscow Teachers - Flat Inspections
Accommodation will now be sending inspectors who will take pictures of your flat.
From BKC Moscow Weekly News
From BKC Moscow Weekly News
Dear teachers,
To address landlords' concern about state of accommodation we are planning to hold regular flat inspections. I will be contacting each of you to arrange time and date convenient for everyone. In case flats are not kept clean and tidy we will be sending a cleaner once a month and expences will be covered by teachers occupating those flats. Please be aware that we may need to take a picture of the apartment during the inspection.
If you have any questions, please contact me at flats@bkc.ru
Respectfully yours,
Anna, the accommodation coordinator.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The BKC Dollar - Money, Money, Money, Money!
When you signed your contract, it was quoted in U.S. dollars. If you're a contract teacher, the pay was somewhere around $1000 USD per month. Official rates for the 2009/2010 school year were $1040-$1190.
When you signed your contract, you thought to yourself, Wow, good. Because I heard the ruble fluctuates.
The ruble does fluctuate. Big time.
Hold your enthusiasm, though.
Read the fine print. You are not paid according to what the ruble is worth at the time of calculation.
Read your contract again. And read the Weekly News. We know it's boring stupid. But read it anyway.
The exchange rate used when calculating salary is based on the Russian Central Bank’s official rate + 1% but within the range of minimum and maximum internal exchange rates set by the company (presently 24 and 30 roubles for 1 USD).
So that means you will be paid whatever the hell BKC Moscow feels like paying you!
A Message From an Angry BKC Teacher (Originally Posted on the Teacher's Forum)
It was the good old time, about one year ago - maybe less - when the "crisis" just begun. The Big Boss came to us with an even bigger smile to explain that, whatever will happen, the school will do everything for the teachers, that teachers are the most important (thing?) in the school.
BKC does the best for its teachers. I trust.
That's why I could understand, that from january up to september I've been paid 30 rubles for 1 USD, when the rate was over 30. I mean, it was fair : students pay in rubles, they don't pay more when the currency is going down... I calculated, that from january to may, the average for the ruble/USD rate was around 33 (a bit more). We were paid 30. A teacher with a salary of 1000 USD was paid 30,000 rubles a month instead of 33,000 rubles.
During 5 months the school didn't pay him 15,000 rubles he should have got.
But as I said, we can understand that.
What I don't understand is BKC's decision, since the rate felt under 30, to pay us again on the basis of the official rate. The teacher with his 1000 USD salary "lost" at least 15,000 rubles this winter-spring, and more up to october. Now that the situation is getting easier, he is still losing money. As if the school wants to save its money, no matter what the situation is.
I was really disappointed when I looked at my pay slip this week. Couldn't they wait a little bit? We were paid less this winter, because the students didn't pay more. Maybe we could be paid a bit more, now that students don't pay less... It would be fair to maintain the rate for some time. Or to rise up the salaries. Just to show us, that we are really important.
We don't work better or worse when we are paid more or less. But I think that nobody wants to see the soviet workers joke become true. (The State does as if it is paying us. We do as if we are working).
Response to Angry BKC Teacher
At least you are getting a pay-slip! Don't you realise what a monumental shift this is for the incompetent accountancy staff.
But in answer to your question - they don't care if you live or die.
Fully agree with the sentiment in your post, though. But it's wasted on them.
When you signed your contract, you thought to yourself, Wow, good. Because I heard the ruble fluctuates.
The ruble does fluctuate. Big time.
Hold your enthusiasm, though.
Read the fine print. You are not paid according to what the ruble is worth at the time of calculation.
Read your contract again. And read the Weekly News. We know it's boring stupid. But read it anyway.
The exchange rate used when calculating salary is based on the Russian Central Bank’s official rate + 1% but within the range of minimum and maximum internal exchange rates set by the company (presently 24 and 30 roubles for 1 USD).
So that means you will be paid whatever the hell BKC Moscow feels like paying you!
A Message From an Angry BKC Teacher (Originally Posted on the Teacher's Forum)
It was the good old time, about one year ago - maybe less - when the "crisis" just begun. The Big Boss came to us with an even bigger smile to explain that, whatever will happen, the school will do everything for the teachers, that teachers are the most important (thing?) in the school.
BKC does the best for its teachers. I trust.
That's why I could understand, that from january up to september I've been paid 30 rubles for 1 USD, when the rate was over 30. I mean, it was fair : students pay in rubles, they don't pay more when the currency is going down... I calculated, that from january to may, the average for the ruble/USD rate was around 33 (a bit more). We were paid 30. A teacher with a salary of 1000 USD was paid 30,000 rubles a month instead of 33,000 rubles.
During 5 months the school didn't pay him 15,000 rubles he should have got.
But as I said, we can understand that.
What I don't understand is BKC's decision, since the rate felt under 30, to pay us again on the basis of the official rate. The teacher with his 1000 USD salary "lost" at least 15,000 rubles this winter-spring, and more up to october. Now that the situation is getting easier, he is still losing money. As if the school wants to save its money, no matter what the situation is.
I was really disappointed when I looked at my pay slip this week. Couldn't they wait a little bit? We were paid less this winter, because the students didn't pay more. Maybe we could be paid a bit more, now that students don't pay less... It would be fair to maintain the rate for some time. Or to rise up the salaries. Just to show us, that we are really important.
We don't work better or worse when we are paid more or less. But I think that nobody wants to see the soviet workers joke become true. (The State does as if it is paying us. We do as if we are working).
Response to Angry BKC Teacher
At least you are getting a pay-slip! Don't you realise what a monumental shift this is for the incompetent accountancy staff.
But in answer to your question - they don't care if you live or die.
Fully agree with the sentiment in your post, though. But it's wasted on them.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Ever Wonder What BKC Stands For?
This post comes courtesy of a BKC teacher from the BKC Moscow Teacher's Forum
Ever wondered what BKC stands for?
Look at the naive souls wandering about, lost and helpless. And young. So, so young. Clueless about teaching, living abroad, even just working. And look at the organisation that lured them over here, with promises promises. "Hello. little girl, would you like some candy? Or see my puppies?" You gotta admit, it is one slick operation. That's why, BKC is better known in IH World circles as the Baby Kidnapping Crew.
Welcome to white slavery.
Ever wondered what BKC stands for?
Look at the naive souls wandering about, lost and helpless. And young. So, so young. Clueless about teaching, living abroad, even just working. And look at the organisation that lured them over here, with promises promises. "Hello. little girl, would you like some candy? Or see my puppies?" You gotta admit, it is one slick operation. That's why, BKC is better known in IH World circles as the Baby Kidnapping Crew.
Welcome to white slavery.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Message to the Fresh Meat - BKC Moscow Hires From Fall of 2009
This comes courtesy of a long term BKC Moscow teacher. Originally posted on the BKC-IH Moscow Teacher's Forum.
Welcome.
You have just started at BKC. You are just settling into life in Moscow and IH. You are not sure how anything works, probably don't speak the local language. Or maybe you do. You are still finding your feet in the classroom. More than likely, you are a new, raw, teacher with little real experience and the 'induction' process has done little to reassure you that you can pass muster. Don't worry. That's how BKC likes it. It is just like last year, and the years before. Fresh meat to be feed through the murder-machine. The more innocent, the better. It doesn't matter how much of a mess you make, you are easily replaced, and quite cheaply too. Much cheaper than employing an experienced teacher. Much more malleable too, less likely to know your rights, much less demand them. Just a commodity. Branded Cattle.
So good luck to you. I hope you make it to the end of your contract. A lot of you probably won't. Or won't want to. There is no shame in that. There were many thousands before just like you, who were sold the dream, only to see it slowly descend into the nightmare that is working for BKC. Thousands like you, who eventually quit in dark, weeping despair.
Those of you who do somehow complete a contract may end up as ADOSes yourselves, 'inducting' 2010's fresh meat. But, then the real torment that is ADOShood awaits you.
Few heed the warning.
Fewer survive.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Flatmate You are Given by BKC-IH Moscow
New teachers quite often fill out a short form that asks preferences of the following types of lifestyle choices:
Are you a smoker?
Do you drink? Occasionally or frequently?
What is your level of cleanliness?
The Flatmate BKC Moscow Gives You May Be the Opposite of You
Current teachers have a theory that BKC Moscow takes those forms you filled out and simply tosses them in the bin. There is no other logical reason, since here are the facts:
Are you a smoker?
Do you drink? Occasionally or frequently?
What is your level of cleanliness?
The Flatmate BKC Moscow Gives You May Be the Opposite of You
Current teachers have a theory that BKC Moscow takes those forms you filled out and simply tosses them in the bin. There is no other logical reason, since here are the facts:
- Smokers and non-smokers are frequently paired together in the same flat.
- Although cleanliness is subjective, there are some teachers who are cleaners, paired up with teachers who are filthy slobs.
- Teachers who simply work and study are paired with very young teachers who spend the majority of their time and money on liquor - and throw the necessary late-night loud parties that accompany this.
What to Do If Your BKC Moscow Flatmate Is Crazy?
Some more true stories from the field of BKC Moscow's World of Disgusting Flatmates:
- In 2009, a teacher attacked his flat mate with a knife, because his flat mate had an annoying habit of bringing home prostitutes and causing a lot of late-night noise.
- A female teacher in her 30s recently remarked that her 20-ish flatmate dirtied every dish in the kitchen and refused to wash them. The flatmate also soiled the toilet and refused to scrub her own shit stains from the toilet bowl.
- There are occasional stories of flat mates sneaking into the other's room to use personal computers, read diaries and snoop around.
- A male in his mid-twenties told a group of teachers that his 30-ish flat mate's room actually smelled, and the smell permeated throughout the flat. This person also had a tendency of leaving shit-stained underwear in the shower room, as well as leaving moldy plates and food inside his room.
- A female teacher reported, with horror, that her flatmate had not only snuck into her room to use her computer, but also left trash and dirty dishes behind.
- A male in his late twenties invited his long-time girlfriend to Moscow for a weekend. The girlfriend mopped the floors (in addition to cleaning the whole flat), and asked her boyfriend's flatmate to refrain from walking on the floors for a bit. The flatmate off-handedly remarked that she was a "bitch." The boyfriend was not happy about this at all.
- A brand-new teacher, who had been in Moscow for just a couple of months, was saddened when his flatmate did not invite him to a dinner party. The problem is that the dinner party was in their shared flat. The new teacher hid in his room until finally making a getaway to meet other new teachers at a club.
- One infamous woman, who has been with BKC Moscow for about 4 years, boasts that she has managed to make every single one of her flatmates leave. This older woman greets her new flatmates by immediately telling them, "You and I are not going to be friends." Then she shows the new flatmate around the flat, explaining, "This is mine, and you are not to touch it." She then begins cleaning and throwing things around between 3 am and 5 am. She knocks loudly on the new flatmate's door, and screams at them for not cleaning enough. She locks her roommates out of the apartment. Multiple female teachers have gone to BKC Moscow administration to ask for help. These teachers are told to move to another flat. The problem here is that in most cases, these teachers are forced to move further away from the schools they work at. The old, crazy lady? She is friends with the accommodation manager, and so suffers no punishment at all. Just a slap on the wrist and a "tsk, tsk." BKC Moscow doesn't care whether or not you leave because of this crazy person.
But we shall discuss BKC Moscow management and administration at a later point.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The BKC Moscow Contract You Signed
Before you got to Moscow, you signed a bunch of papers. You may not have actually read through all the paperwork because, let's face it - it was a lot. That's OK. Everything you signed is worthless.
BKC Moscow tears up contracts on a regular basis. So, don't worry about it.
Probably you signed a contract that stated an end date 9 months from when the contract date started.
When you got to Moscow, you may have been surprised that you were asked to sign yet another contract. This one extended your end date by anywhere from 10 days to two weeks. Maybe more.
Oh dear.
This is maybe the first thing that makes you think, "Huh."
There is more to come.
BKC Moscow tears up contracts on a regular basis. So, don't worry about it.
Probably you signed a contract that stated an end date 9 months from when the contract date started.
When you got to Moscow, you may have been surprised that you were asked to sign yet another contract. This one extended your end date by anywhere from 10 days to two weeks. Maybe more.
Oh dear.
This is maybe the first thing that makes you think, "Huh."
There is more to come.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Secret Lives of BKC-IH Moscow Teachers
Are you thinking about moving to Russia to start or continue your career as a TEFL instructor? Are you considering applying to BKC-IH Moscow? Are you a current or former BKC-IH Moscow employee?
This blog is intended to give up-to-date advice for teachers, former teachers and prospective teachers of BKC-IH Moscow.
If you are a new or prospective teacher, you have read all the horror stories of BKC Moscow on Dave's ESLCafe.com. You have read from disgruntled ex-workers who claim the contract BKC offers is not exactly in the teacher's favor.
You have done internet searches for BKC-IH Moscow, and since they have the International House brand name attached to them, they appear to be legitimate. You look at the nice site they have up, geared toward promoting their brand and recruiting native English speakers as teachers.
As a prospective teacher for this school, you may not know what to believe.
This blog serves two purposes: to answer questions from TEFL teachers thinking about choosing BKC Moscow as their next employee.
It also serves as an open, anonymous forum for current and former employees.
If you are a current or former BKC teacher, you know the true stories. We want to hear from you.
If you have any questions about BKC Moscow, and you want to know the truth, you've come to the right place.
This blog is intended to give up-to-date advice for teachers, former teachers and prospective teachers of BKC-IH Moscow.
If you are a new or prospective teacher, you have read all the horror stories of BKC Moscow on Dave's ESLCafe.com. You have read from disgruntled ex-workers who claim the contract BKC offers is not exactly in the teacher's favor.
You have done internet searches for BKC-IH Moscow, and since they have the International House brand name attached to them, they appear to be legitimate. You look at the nice site they have up, geared toward promoting their brand and recruiting native English speakers as teachers.
As a prospective teacher for this school, you may not know what to believe.
This blog serves two purposes: to answer questions from TEFL teachers thinking about choosing BKC Moscow as their next employee.
It also serves as an open, anonymous forum for current and former employees.
If you are a current or former BKC teacher, you know the true stories. We want to hear from you.
If you have any questions about BKC Moscow, and you want to know the truth, you've come to the right place.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Dear BKC Moscow Recruitment
Originally posted on the BKC Teacher's Forum
Dear Recruitment,
Why do you continue to try to sell ADOS positions with BS like 'training-fund'? Who actually gets to smell any of this? There alway seems to some lame ass excuse to deny this to people who are contractually entitled to it. Perhaps it would be better to just tell the truth!
ADOS/Senior Teacher position means that you'll be: blamed for everything that goes wrong; without authority to improve anything; forced to attend mind-numbing meetings and seminars; over-ruled by the bitch-queen of central office over the pettiest of issues; unknown to the DOSes; forced to cover endless classes at stupid-o'clock in the middle of Bumfuck Moscow Oblast; the general dogsbody of the whole company.
But in return you can be 'trained' as an iealts examiner; get a non-existent fund; and have your very own shitty apartment in the middle of industrial wasteland; eat radioactive slop at lunchtime - and all for less than the salary of the asshole off-contract teachers who can't actually teach but were smart enough to steer well clear of this crock of shit.
Small wonder all the "adosi" are fleeing. What does this tell you? Or do you need to consult a management guru first?
Dear Recruitment,
Why do you continue to try to sell ADOS positions with BS like 'training-fund'? Who actually gets to smell any of this? There alway seems to some lame ass excuse to deny this to people who are contractually entitled to it. Perhaps it would be better to just tell the truth!
ADOS/Senior Teacher position means that you'll be: blamed for everything that goes wrong; without authority to improve anything; forced to attend mind-numbing meetings and seminars; over-ruled by the bitch-queen of central office over the pettiest of issues; unknown to the DOSes; forced to cover endless classes at stupid-o'clock in the middle of Bumfuck Moscow Oblast; the general dogsbody of the whole company.
But in return you can be 'trained' as an iealts examiner; get a non-existent fund; and have your very own shitty apartment in the middle of industrial wasteland; eat radioactive slop at lunchtime - and all for less than the salary of the asshole off-contract teachers who can't actually teach but were smart enough to steer well clear of this crock of shit.
Small wonder all the "adosi" are fleeing. What does this tell you? Or do you need to consult a management guru first?
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Are There any Examples of This in BKC?
Originally posted on the BKC Moscow Teacher's Forum
Are there any examples of this in BKC?
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response sometimes seen in abducted hostages, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger or risk in which they have been placed. The syndrome is named after the Norrmalmstorg robbery of Kreditbanken at Norrmalmstorg in Stockholm, in which the bank robbers held bank employees hostage from August 23 to August 28 in 1973. In this case, the victims became emotionally attached to their victimizers, and even defended their captors after they were freed from their six-day ordeal. The term "Stockholm Syndrome" was coined by the criminologist and psychiatrist Nils Bejerot, who assisted the police during the robbery, and referred to the syndrome in a news broadcast.
In 2007, a group of scholars studied twelve highly-publicized cases of Stockholm syndrome, publishing their results in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavia. They argued that, as the media accounts lacked "access to primary sources" or an "identification of a pattern of features exhibited in Stockholm syndrome," the characterization of any of these events as Stockholm syndrome could have been due to reporting bias.
Psychoanalytic explanations:
According to the psychoanalytic view of the syndrome, the tendency might well be the result of employing the strategy evolved by newborn babies to form an emotional attachment to the nearest powerful adult in order to maximize the probability that this adult will enable — at the very least — the survival of the child, if not also prove to be a good parental figure. This syndrome is considered a prime example for the defense mechanism of identification.
Reply From Another BKC Moscow Teacher
Stockholm syndrome at BKC? Of course not! How silly.
I love it when they peg my wage lower than the official exchange rate...when they deduct chunks out of my bonus because they did not see my name on a saturday seminar sheet...when they waste hours of my life on stand-by...when they ignore my pleas about the slowly deteriorating state of my flat...when i prepare meticulously for classes and then discover i was given entirely wrong information...I LOVE IT. IT GETS ME HIGH. YES YES YES! Give me a new contract! I want to sign it NOW....Oh i'm so horny right now!!!! YES YES YES!
Are there any examples of this in BKC?
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response sometimes seen in abducted hostages, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger or risk in which they have been placed. The syndrome is named after the Norrmalmstorg robbery of Kreditbanken at Norrmalmstorg in Stockholm, in which the bank robbers held bank employees hostage from August 23 to August 28 in 1973. In this case, the victims became emotionally attached to their victimizers, and even defended their captors after they were freed from their six-day ordeal. The term "Stockholm Syndrome" was coined by the criminologist and psychiatrist Nils Bejerot, who assisted the police during the robbery, and referred to the syndrome in a news broadcast.
In 2007, a group of scholars studied twelve highly-publicized cases of Stockholm syndrome, publishing their results in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavia. They argued that, as the media accounts lacked "access to primary sources" or an "identification of a pattern of features exhibited in Stockholm syndrome," the characterization of any of these events as Stockholm syndrome could have been due to reporting bias.
Psychoanalytic explanations:
According to the psychoanalytic view of the syndrome, the tendency might well be the result of employing the strategy evolved by newborn babies to form an emotional attachment to the nearest powerful adult in order to maximize the probability that this adult will enable — at the very least — the survival of the child, if not also prove to be a good parental figure. This syndrome is considered a prime example for the defense mechanism of identification.
Reply From Another BKC Moscow Teacher
Stockholm syndrome at BKC? Of course not! How silly.
I love it when they peg my wage lower than the official exchange rate...when they deduct chunks out of my bonus because they did not see my name on a saturday seminar sheet...when they waste hours of my life on stand-by...when they ignore my pleas about the slowly deteriorating state of my flat...when i prepare meticulously for classes and then discover i was given entirely wrong information...I LOVE IT. IT GETS ME HIGH. YES YES YES! Give me a new contract! I want to sign it NOW....Oh i'm so horny right now!!!! YES YES YES!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Can Hourly Paid, Off-Contract BKC Teachers Get Some Fucking Flats?
Originally posted on the BKC Teacher's Forum
Free flats?
May 15, 2009
Dear person in charge of accommodation
I read on the Internet that all licensed educational establishments in Russia are required by law to provide free accommodation to foreign English teachers. Is this true? Doesn't this mean that you have to provide for off-contract teachers too? Or at least give them an allowance for their apartments?
I look forward to your considered answer.
May 31, 2009
It is so easy to know when a nerve has been struck in BKC. Deafening silence...
Free flats?
May 15, 2009
Dear person in charge of accommodation
I read on the Internet that all licensed educational establishments in Russia are required by law to provide free accommodation to foreign English teachers. Is this true? Doesn't this mean that you have to provide for off-contract teachers too? Or at least give them an allowance for their apartments?
I look forward to your considered answer.
May 31, 2009
It is so easy to know when a nerve has been struck in BKC. Deafening silence...
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Foul-Mouthed Complaint About BKC Moscow
Originally posted on the BKC Moscow Teacher's Forum
Foul-mouthed complaint about BKC
Excuse me while I call foul: "Foul! You big fat ugly LIARS!'
Why you might ask, am I so incensed? Well, it might be because BKC and its key players in administration don't feel the need to be even the slightest bit interested in consistency. New rules are dreamt up: contract changes. New season appraoches: tax regulations mysteriously change too. To make my point more clear, let's look at two different utterances from the horse's mouth. I quote from the Head of Recruitment, as posted on this very forum:
1. Originally (and it IS the case in any other language school in Moscow) only the full time contract teachers are provided with visas, because it costs something to the company and also implies some responsibilities for both parties. As a favour we offered visa support to those willing to work for us and those who were prepared to spent most of their time teaching BKC groups. As inviting organization we hold certain responsibilities in front of authorities for those who have BKC visas and have to pay those authorities officially fixed tariffs, taxes etc.
In case an hourly paid teacher works 24 hours with us we earn enough from classes he/she teaches to pay all those tariffs. In case an hourly paid teacher can't, doesn't want or is not able to work 24 hours why would the company bear all the expenses?
Now, what do we learn at the last meeting? Behold:
The minimum number of teaching hours for those who has BKC visa and works on an hourly basis is 18.
Excuse me? Like what the fuck is going on with all those 'tariffs' we had to pay prior to summer? Why were some of us FINED 6 fucking thousand fucking rubles when our one-to-one students cancelled their lessons, and we were just short of 24 hours? To cover visa costs? And now 18 hours is mysteriously enough to cover the same visa and the same visa costs? I cry FOUL! What a fucking scam!
There never were any taxes needing paying to the authorities which merited 24 hours. You were just milking the crisis for all you could. But now that summer is approaching and legions of teachers are fleeing, and most of the EMT too, now you realise that you'll be fucked again in August/September. So maybe that's the reason for suddenly realising that 18 hours is enough to cover these mythical 'taxes' on the visa - a vain attempt to hold on to staff?
Am I right, or am I fucking right?
What a foul fucking company!
Reply From Another BKC Teacher
Too true,
The decision to lower the "hour ceiling", if you let me use the Boro's BKC dollar inspired phrase, shows that the whole thing was a scam in the first place. Unless BKC is now willing to pay the charge incured by teachers who end up working 18 hours only in the summer period.
Anyhow, the first expanation sounds much more likely, given that we are talking about BKC-IH Moscow.
Reply From Another BKC Teacher
One more thing - it would be extremely helpful to know how the charge is decided on.
What I mean is whether is it enough to work 96 hours per week (with the weekly minimum of 24 hours) not to be charged, or does a teacher have to work every single week at least 24 hours.
You see there are weeks when I clock as many as 35-40 hours, so if the charge was imposed only in the first case ( not less than 96 per month), it would mean that I and any other teacher could make up for hours lost due to some laid-back one-2-one students not showing up at the end of a week, if I make myself clear.
Whatever the case, as always our having knowledge would help.
Another Reply
I'm curious. If having a BKC visa implies responsibility on both parties' sides, does that mean the freelancers are going to get all their health benefits, tax details and holiday pay? It is the case that it is BKC's responsibility to provide such for all their employees. If in doubt, consult the law.
Anybody in Boro wish to comment? Or shall you ignore such niceties also?
Reply From an Actual BKC Administrator (aka Boro Lady)
Yes, a teacher should work 24 hours every single week.
Hours were decreased for Summer because the company just cannot garantee 24 hours for every teacher and in this case it would be definetely not a teacher's fault.
Such benefits as holiday pay are already included in your hourly rate. For confirmation of taxes please call us to know how to receive a document you need.
Another Reply
Dear Boro Lady,
Actually, I have been informed recently by one of the staff on the 3rd floor boro that an off-contract teacher has to work the minimum of 48 hours (2x24) every pay period.
Could you either confirm or contradict this info?
Reply From Boro Lady
Such benefits as holiday pay are already included in your hourly rate. For confirmation of taxes please call us to know how to receive a document you need.
Reply From Teacher
Dear Boro Lady,
As I asked before, where is this stated in our contracts? Sounds like a convenient invention to me. And what about health insurance? Pension payments?
Any concrete answers from BKC likely?
Another Reply from Another BKC Teacher
I am very curious about How you are going to explain this issue. Namely, another curious teacher pointed out to me the fact that whether an "off-contract" teacher brings BKC money or not doesn't relly depend on how many hours he'she works, but, as far as classes are considered, on how many students there are in his class.
Point taken, if a teacher has 5 people in their class, the company doesn't earn the same money out of their service as out of the one teaching, say, 11.
Which only comes to prove that the whole tax tariff is at least as clear as we we are (unsuccessfully) being made to believe.
The Post That BKC Never Replied To
Dear Boro Lady,
Did you know that it is illegal to include all benefits like holiday-pay into an employee's salary? Is anybody in BKC aware of a the thing called the law?
Don't you understand that BKC is still liable for holiday payments for ALL of its teachers, regardless of their status as freelancers?
I'd start answering the questions here if I were you, thank you very much.
A Few Days Later
So? Are you going to respect Russian law or not? Do you want a court case?
In the end, there was only deafening silence from BKC.
Foul-mouthed complaint about BKC
Excuse me while I call foul: "Foul! You big fat ugly LIARS!'
Why you might ask, am I so incensed? Well, it might be because BKC and its key players in administration don't feel the need to be even the slightest bit interested in consistency. New rules are dreamt up: contract changes. New season appraoches: tax regulations mysteriously change too. To make my point more clear, let's look at two different utterances from the horse's mouth. I quote from the Head of Recruitment, as posted on this very forum:
1. Originally (and it IS the case in any other language school in Moscow) only the full time contract teachers are provided with visas, because it costs something to the company and also implies some responsibilities for both parties. As a favour we offered visa support to those willing to work for us and those who were prepared to spent most of their time teaching BKC groups. As inviting organization we hold certain responsibilities in front of authorities for those who have BKC visas and have to pay those authorities officially fixed tariffs, taxes etc.
In case an hourly paid teacher works 24 hours with us we earn enough from classes he/she teaches to pay all those tariffs. In case an hourly paid teacher can't, doesn't want or is not able to work 24 hours why would the company bear all the expenses?
Now, what do we learn at the last meeting? Behold:
The minimum number of teaching hours for those who has BKC visa and works on an hourly basis is 18.
Excuse me? Like what the fuck is going on with all those 'tariffs' we had to pay prior to summer? Why were some of us FINED 6 fucking thousand fucking rubles when our one-to-one students cancelled their lessons, and we were just short of 24 hours? To cover visa costs? And now 18 hours is mysteriously enough to cover the same visa and the same visa costs? I cry FOUL! What a fucking scam!
There never were any taxes needing paying to the authorities which merited 24 hours. You were just milking the crisis for all you could. But now that summer is approaching and legions of teachers are fleeing, and most of the EMT too, now you realise that you'll be fucked again in August/September. So maybe that's the reason for suddenly realising that 18 hours is enough to cover these mythical 'taxes' on the visa - a vain attempt to hold on to staff?
Am I right, or am I fucking right?
What a foul fucking company!
Reply From Another BKC Teacher
Too true,
The decision to lower the "hour ceiling", if you let me use the Boro's BKC dollar inspired phrase, shows that the whole thing was a scam in the first place. Unless BKC is now willing to pay the charge incured by teachers who end up working 18 hours only in the summer period.
Anyhow, the first expanation sounds much more likely, given that we are talking about BKC-IH Moscow.
Reply From Another BKC Teacher
One more thing - it would be extremely helpful to know how the charge is decided on.
What I mean is whether is it enough to work 96 hours per week (with the weekly minimum of 24 hours) not to be charged, or does a teacher have to work every single week at least 24 hours.
You see there are weeks when I clock as many as 35-40 hours, so if the charge was imposed only in the first case ( not less than 96 per month), it would mean that I and any other teacher could make up for hours lost due to some laid-back one-2-one students not showing up at the end of a week, if I make myself clear.
Whatever the case, as always our having knowledge would help.
Another Reply
I'm curious. If having a BKC visa implies responsibility on both parties' sides, does that mean the freelancers are going to get all their health benefits, tax details and holiday pay? It is the case that it is BKC's responsibility to provide such for all their employees. If in doubt, consult the law.
Anybody in Boro wish to comment? Or shall you ignore such niceties also?
Reply From an Actual BKC Administrator (aka Boro Lady)
Yes, a teacher should work 24 hours every single week.
Hours were decreased for Summer because the company just cannot garantee 24 hours for every teacher and in this case it would be definetely not a teacher's fault.
Such benefits as holiday pay are already included in your hourly rate. For confirmation of taxes please call us to know how to receive a document you need.
Another Reply
Dear Boro Lady,
Actually, I have been informed recently by one of the staff on the 3rd floor boro that an off-contract teacher has to work the minimum of 48 hours (2x24) every pay period.
Could you either confirm or contradict this info?
Reply From Boro Lady
Such benefits as holiday pay are already included in your hourly rate. For confirmation of taxes please call us to know how to receive a document you need.
Reply From Teacher
Dear Boro Lady,
As I asked before, where is this stated in our contracts? Sounds like a convenient invention to me. And what about health insurance? Pension payments?
Any concrete answers from BKC likely?
Another Reply from Another BKC Teacher
I am very curious about How you are going to explain this issue. Namely, another curious teacher pointed out to me the fact that whether an "off-contract" teacher brings BKC money or not doesn't relly depend on how many hours he'she works, but, as far as classes are considered, on how many students there are in his class.
Point taken, if a teacher has 5 people in their class, the company doesn't earn the same money out of their service as out of the one teaching, say, 11.
Which only comes to prove that the whole tax tariff is at least as clear as we we are (unsuccessfully) being made to believe.
The Post That BKC Never Replied To
Dear Boro Lady,
Did you know that it is illegal to include all benefits like holiday-pay into an employee's salary? Is anybody in BKC aware of a the thing called the law?
Don't you understand that BKC is still liable for holiday payments for ALL of its teachers, regardless of their status as freelancers?
I'd start answering the questions here if I were you, thank you very much.
A Few Days Later
So? Are you going to respect Russian law or not? Do you want a court case?
In the end, there was only deafening silence from BKC.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
BKC is Getting Boring
BKC is getting boring. though the faces change often we always have the same old breaches of contracts, same old lies, same old unskilled and apathetic staff. same mistakes year after year. even a remarkably dull lab rat would have learned some new reflexes by now.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Why BKC is Doomed and Who is to Blame
Originally posted on the BKC Teacher's Forum
Post:
Recruiting is a tricky business, we all know. But just for everyone's edification let's look at what has happened to Recruitment in the last couple of years. Certain individuals were running the whole shop to rack and ruin, then they leave, as staff are wont to do. They are replaced by far more competent people who LISTEN to others and have realistic ideas on how to treat colleagues. And so for all the year that they are at the helm BKC is a much happier place to work and people are more or less satisfied with their lot. Then, like the eternal bad penny certain of the bad crew wriggle back into positions of authority and the rot starts up once more. The cooler minds are sidelined, passions flare and now we have this daft 'crisis' action plan that is threatening to rip the heart out of our jolly little school.
Well done Recruitment, hats off to a job well done. Endless praise to the individual architect of this collective suicide.
Next Post
BKC is breaking the law. Even in Russia, that's not allowed, and there is no excuse for it. A contract is a contract. It doesn't matter if [some people] think some of the teachers or EMT 'deserve' this maltreatment, it is still maltreatment... I've been here for more than just a few years and I've seen some nasty shit go down, a lot worse than not getting a smile. If wanting to know why I am being subjected to illegal measures is ruffling feathers, then I'm going to do a lot more of it - plucking may be a better term. Am I so bad in wanting to know how much I'm working for? And why should I do my job better ( for less pay ) when certain admin people are woefully bad at theirs?! When in fact, they have a history of mismanagement and crap communication skills.
I think you [all] need to re-assess your postion and get wise to the reality. Or maybe you enjoy being walked all over?
Last Post
There is nothing that anybody could call management in BKC. And the poor unfortunate souls in Boro never deal with anything, certainly not face to face. Sneaky, underhand bully-boy tactics are much more favoured. And no I'm not happy - gee how did you tell? Guess what asshole - neither are most of your colleagues.
Post:
Recruiting is a tricky business, we all know. But just for everyone's edification let's look at what has happened to Recruitment in the last couple of years. Certain individuals were running the whole shop to rack and ruin, then they leave, as staff are wont to do. They are replaced by far more competent people who LISTEN to others and have realistic ideas on how to treat colleagues. And so for all the year that they are at the helm BKC is a much happier place to work and people are more or less satisfied with their lot. Then, like the eternal bad penny certain of the bad crew wriggle back into positions of authority and the rot starts up once more. The cooler minds are sidelined, passions flare and now we have this daft 'crisis' action plan that is threatening to rip the heart out of our jolly little school.
Well done Recruitment, hats off to a job well done. Endless praise to the individual architect of this collective suicide.
Next Post
BKC is breaking the law. Even in Russia, that's not allowed, and there is no excuse for it. A contract is a contract. It doesn't matter if [some people] think some of the teachers or EMT 'deserve' this maltreatment, it is still maltreatment... I've been here for more than just a few years and I've seen some nasty shit go down, a lot worse than not getting a smile. If wanting to know why I am being subjected to illegal measures is ruffling feathers, then I'm going to do a lot more of it - plucking may be a better term. Am I so bad in wanting to know how much I'm working for? And why should I do my job better ( for less pay ) when certain admin people are woefully bad at theirs?! When in fact, they have a history of mismanagement and crap communication skills.
I think you [all] need to re-assess your postion and get wise to the reality. Or maybe you enjoy being walked all over?
Last Post
There is nothing that anybody could call management in BKC. And the poor unfortunate souls in Boro never deal with anything, certainly not face to face. Sneaky, underhand bully-boy tactics are much more favoured. And no I'm not happy - gee how did you tell? Guess what asshole - neither are most of your colleagues.
Friday, February 13, 2009
An Open Letter to BKC Recruitment
Originally Posted on BKC Teacher's Forum
An open letter to Recruitment
Dear ladies,
I think it is clear to all and sundry that the whole issue of salary rates and contracts has been mishandled. Handled with all the finesse of a sledgehammer, one might say. Why this was so, is open to debate. Some say it is a cultural difference, some say it is down to the nature of the personalities in charge, while others simply do not have a rational explanation for the sheer scale of the amateurism displayed. So, if I may, let me, in all humility, enlighten you as to how such a delicate matter should have been dealt with.
First of all, more open communication and transparency would have been a good thing. A very simple, yet effective approach would have involved setting up a meeting, a crisis meeting if you will, and then informing staff of measures that needed to be taken. Just by telling teachers that because of the economic situation, BKC is not in a position to pay full salaries as stipulated in the contract - this would have cleared the air and prevented a lot of anger. Admitting that this was an extraordinary situation requiring extraordinary responses would not be a surprise to anybody.
Then, you could have offered anyone who was not happy with this situation an early, amicable termination of their contract, with pro-rata benefits etc. This would have the double advantage of empowering staff to make their own informed decisions, and allowed BKC to reduce staff in an honest, transparent way.
Next, regarding terminations, this should have been done in a transparent way too, with the rationale clear to all involved, e.g. last in first out or whatever.
Most importantly of all, if there had been a uniform position taken by all members of recruitment, a single party line, then there may have been some trust fostered. But there wasn't.
Having failed to do anything seen as even remotely fair, you have incurred the wrath of usually easy-going staff. Nobody likes it when contracts are torn up without consultation, and without regard to the law. Nobody will stay in a company where there is a secret hit-list that unfairly victimizes some members. Nobody will work without knowing what their rate of pay is, and nobody trusts a company that issues mixed signals about basic information like said rates, e.g. Bonderov says 32, Tatyana says 30.
I think if you had done things the way described above, there would not be so much ill-will and seething resentment now in our school. But the damage has been done, and there is little chance of it being healed. As for me, I believe that this is of no interest to the personalities in charge, as they simply want to thin out the staff numbers at any cost. Fair enough, but it will cost you far more than you think. Already the bad press from a few years ago is repeating itself on external forums. Your reputation is taking a nosedive. Nobody trusts a word you say anymore.
An open letter to Recruitment
Dear ladies,
I think it is clear to all and sundry that the whole issue of salary rates and contracts has been mishandled. Handled with all the finesse of a sledgehammer, one might say. Why this was so, is open to debate. Some say it is a cultural difference, some say it is down to the nature of the personalities in charge, while others simply do not have a rational explanation for the sheer scale of the amateurism displayed. So, if I may, let me, in all humility, enlighten you as to how such a delicate matter should have been dealt with.
First of all, more open communication and transparency would have been a good thing. A very simple, yet effective approach would have involved setting up a meeting, a crisis meeting if you will, and then informing staff of measures that needed to be taken. Just by telling teachers that because of the economic situation, BKC is not in a position to pay full salaries as stipulated in the contract - this would have cleared the air and prevented a lot of anger. Admitting that this was an extraordinary situation requiring extraordinary responses would not be a surprise to anybody.
Then, you could have offered anyone who was not happy with this situation an early, amicable termination of their contract, with pro-rata benefits etc. This would have the double advantage of empowering staff to make their own informed decisions, and allowed BKC to reduce staff in an honest, transparent way.
Next, regarding terminations, this should have been done in a transparent way too, with the rationale clear to all involved, e.g. last in first out or whatever.
Most importantly of all, if there had been a uniform position taken by all members of recruitment, a single party line, then there may have been some trust fostered. But there wasn't.
Having failed to do anything seen as even remotely fair, you have incurred the wrath of usually easy-going staff. Nobody likes it when contracts are torn up without consultation, and without regard to the law. Nobody will stay in a company where there is a secret hit-list that unfairly victimizes some members. Nobody will work without knowing what their rate of pay is, and nobody trusts a company that issues mixed signals about basic information like said rates, e.g. Bonderov says 32, Tatyana says 30.
I think if you had done things the way described above, there would not be so much ill-will and seething resentment now in our school. But the damage has been done, and there is little chance of it being healed. As for me, I believe that this is of no interest to the personalities in charge, as they simply want to thin out the staff numbers at any cost. Fair enough, but it will cost you far more than you think. Already the bad press from a few years ago is repeating itself on external forums. Your reputation is taking a nosedive. Nobody trusts a word you say anymore.
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