What makes a bad boss?

Work Teaching English in Taiwan
1

I have come to the final conclusion that I am really working for a bad boss. I went to see him a week ago to negotiate a salary for my second year. He told me that in all honesty the school would either be closing completely or would be moving to a smaller location. Shock! The school has been there 27 years! When was he planning to tell me? He stated that he had no idea whether or not I would be needed in September, but he would tell me in a weeks time.
This past week I have discovered that I am the only one out of 21 teachers (all Taiwanese) who is aware of this fact.
Yesterday I asked for some news. “My mother has received offers from several interested parties, but I will talk to her this morning and let you know”. At lunch I asked again. He laughed, and said “Is that all you can talk about? Relax” I lost my cool. He said he would tell me more when there was news. I dont feel this is good enough. The guy is telling me that I will probably lose my job, that it isnt a big deal, and that I should just relax and wait for the news.

Is this a good boss? Has he any conception as to the needs of his staff?

2

It sounds really frustrating- but you are just going against the cultural way. enough that he told you it was for sale- just start to look for another job
by asking him again and again about the school you are in effect undermining his leadership. it is very frustrating for you but is just the way it is

3

He will feel that you are very “luo suo”, harping on about the situation. If they sell up maybe the new owner would keep you on. We’ve taken over a school before and kept almost everyone on. Who knows, maybe we’re buying the place, LOL.

4

Well, I understand your comments. But… I am not Taiwanese, and I dont feel that in all this time they have employed me like I am Taiwanese. I couldnt give a rats if he thinks i am “luo suo”. I am expected to perform duties solely because I am the foreigner teacher. I am the only foreigner in a school of 20 plus staff. I could cite many examples of the ‘free’ duties I am asked to perform which the Taiwanese staff are not required to do. I feel that yes, I am a member of the team, but no, I am not a member of the team. The point is that I am foreign when they feel like it, but I am also treated like a Taiwanese when they feel like it.
Basic speak, they are shafting me in my Western eyes, and I will not accept that I must play any of their local ettiqeutte games. I work very hard, and I dont get a fair deal. Maybe I wont go far in Taiwan, but I am not Taiwanese, and I wont bend to pointless rules and behaviours that concern my future.

Bassman, I see the fuuny side, and I greatly admire you for owning your own buxiban, but I doubt you have the 20 million NT required to buy this school.

5

I would start looking at a job somewhere else. And don’t forget to tell all which school you were working at!

6

Why are you so upset? Your contract is up. Just look for another job. :wink:

7

only 20 million, my partner in this school has 3 kindergartens and 20 million NT is a drop in the bucket to him. My school building almost cost that. He took over a big school in FengYuan about a year and a half ago. I wouldn’t say that he is one of the interested buyers but if it’s somewhere between Taichung and Tachia there is a fairly good chance that he could be one. One of the kindies cost over 80 Million. 20 million, shit, it’s a bargin.

And I’m only half joking about the maybe. LOL

8

Patterson,

Actually, I am not sure, but I do know that he has been going to a few more “meetings” than usual and taking a long hard look at the finances around here.

Probably not come to think of it, why buy the name of a school that is going under.

It is highly likely that he is just as unsure as you are OR is not able to say anything about what is going on.

[quote}I am expected to perform duties solely because I am the foreigner teacher. I am the only foreigner in a school of 20 plus staff. I could cite many examples of the ‘free’ duties I am asked to perform which the Taiwanese staff are not required to do.[/quote]

That’s your job and it’s the same thing that many other foreign teachers are also required to do. Perhaps you are not suited to the job. Not saying that I used to like it, but I handled it.

I can sense an attitude that is not going to be helpful in Taiwan. If you want to have a better life here you’d better lighten up and roll with the puches and only take action when there is something that you can do.

Come on, they took you to a sex KTV :smiley:
This is Taiwan and it’s their ettiquette, not playing the game won’t change anything, it’ll make things worse.

Fair, it’s all swings and round abouts, what you forgo today you gain tomorrow.

Perhaps you won’t go far. It seems like that chip from “rich tea and sympathy” hasn’t gotten any smaller. In perspective, many of our western practices look like pointless rules and behaviours in their eyes too.

Patterson, I have nothing against you at all. Infact I understand your situation completely, I have been through that and much worse and have still managed to make my way in Taiwan. I will continue to be a success because I find a way to make all of this Taiwanese stuff work for me and not against me. I don’t win every time but I still come out on top. I haven’t become Taiwanese but have learnt from them, that is without becoming them.

Best thing to do is get another school added on to your A.R.C and when this work permit expires you’ll be safe.

I’ll even extend an invitation to Tachia for a chat about how to make things work out if you are interested. I can’t help you out of the situation but I can give you some advice about how to work the next position out in your favour.

Relax, move on. Hey, I hear there’s a good school in Wuchi looking for a teacher. Check the boards.

9

I can vouch for him bein a good ol’ bloke. I would mention he looks better in his avatar than in real life(What can I say? It’s a good pic). :laughing: :wink:

I’ve actually met him. It was a great run through Miaoli county to Dajia in Taizhong county. Long ride from Taipei on a scooter but worth it.

CYA
Okami

10

If it has come down to this, then perhaps not getting a second year there is a good thing.

It sounds as if you are working at a kindy…and if that is the case then you do have to do more “free” activities. It is just the nature of the beast.

11

If it has come down to this, then perhaps not getting a second year there is a good thing.

It sounds as if you are working at a kindy…and if that is the case then you do have to do more “free” activities. It is just the nature of the beast.[/quote]

That’s what I meant to say. Damn it DB, why do you always say things nicer than me? Darn tootin’ you’re a real awesome dude. P, talk to DB :wink:

'tis the nature of the beast. Heck, I still work days and have the same situation, it’s tough to keep my pride in check sometimes, but I hang in there.

12

Patterson,

I completely understand how you feel but I agree with the others who have told you to just find another job and move on. The truth is that you are lucky because you found out that you may be losing your job BEFORE you lost it. Now you can be looking for another job but still have money coming in.

Actually, I think one reason your boss didn’t tell you or the other workers because he fiqures if he did then his employees might all bail out on him and leave him without any teachers. Another reason might be that he thinks the location of the school doesn’t really matter because teachers can simply and easily relocate. Neither of these reasons is very satisfactory but I am only trying to fiqure out his reasons for not telling the employees. Is this a sign of a good boss, no. Does this sound like the actions of a “typical” employer, yes, IMO.

All in all, just decide if you still want to work for this guy and if the answer is no, then just move on down the line and find another cram school.

13

Bassman, remember that day you flamed me.; Get yer ears pinned back, here comes the reply.

I told you I was going to lose my job. Surely a disaster in any country. Maybe you could have symapthised a little with my situation. However, you felt the best thing was to lecture me about my behaviour. You also tell me “Perhaps you are not suited to the job”. Perhaps you know less than one side of the story, and are sticking your nose in.

And you sir seem to have no pride. How far over do you bend to get those yellow pills up your butt? Do you remember how your compatriots act? Maybe when you go back to NZ people will tell you you have become a two dimensional kiss ass.

A birthday present for your beautiful wife??? Maybe a lecture on how completely great YOU are.

I am trying to make sense of my world, but all I get from you is some pointers on how to take it in the ass. Maybe i’d rather eat my own eyelids than ask your advice. You are, after all, harbouring a deep rooted anger complex.

Sorry dude, you just happened to get in the way!

Stevezeauthor, thanks, i have always enjoyed your posts.
Vannyel, worth posting?
Cableguy, and durins bane, thanks for the unbiased answers.

p.s. i lost my job.

14

[quote=“patterson”]

I told you I was going to lose my job. Surely a disaster in any country. [/quote]

Not in Taiwan it is. You can always find another English teaching job here.

15

Not a biggie in Taiwan. I did, however, sympathise with your situation. Your behaviour, as perceived from your posts, could use more than a little work.

It seems that I am right, you could improve, but it does seem that I am correct.

The simple fact is that not all people suit all jobs. I suck at selling insurance, I can do it, but it is not suitable for me and it’s better for me not to do it.

I am suited to what I am doing now though.

Just because you are without too many other choices in Taiwan that doesn’t mean that you are suited to being an English Teacher. For that matter you may not be suited to living in Taiwan.

Could be right there, although YOU did post your problem in a public forum and therefore was open to discussion.

Going a little overboard there. Not becoming a little racially intolerant at all are you? Of course I remember how my compatriots act, all of them, the Europeans, the Africans, the Maori, the Samoans, the Chinese, and everyone else who makes up the awesome melting pot that is NZ.

No one ever said you need to kiss ass. You do nothing to swing things in your own favour and have become a perpetual victim. Get ready to line up for the next boss to take advantage of you, with an attitude like that you most certainly will get it.

Life is a series of working with people to get the best results for all. But then it’s all about YOU isn’t it? You have no idea about how to make it in Taiwan. Why on earth do you stay?

P, you are an asshole. People just keep saying the same stuff to you and it gets thrown right back. You’re a dickhead.

Fight the fights that you can win. No one wants to take it up the ass. Can you even read? Shit, you are doomed in Taiwan. This is the reality of life and not just Taiwan.

That is your choice. Happy eating.

Geez, you actually believe this crap don’t you?

Nope, I told you exactly like it is. There is nothing “getting in the way” about any of this.

Continue along this path and you can be certain that it won’t be the last job that you will say goodbye to.

I called it exactly as I saw it and it looks like reality even more than it did when I first wrote it. Shit, Patterson, no one would have taught you how to be taken advantage of, I would have shown you how to come out on top in spite of the situation and make them be the ones taking it up the ass, if that’s what you wanted, not very mature and I’d never do it that way. The way I go everyone wins. Now, go screw yourself, wait… you’ve already done that.

Sorry about that, you just got in the way.

16

Assman,
Next time I make a thread, if i make a thread, dont give me any lectures on how to behave. Alright? I was angry because I was losing my job. I dont want some freaking goddamn rules on how to become more like you. Keep your advice for others, cos I am tired of hearing it from you.

Oh and you dont? Just posting for the hell of it eh? Cos your life is so wonderful, you just drop down to tell lil old patterson how to fly right.

Being angry with you sure takes the sting out of getting the boot.

17

So, two things that could upset you, no increase and maybe no job.

He was honest with you. How does that make him a bad boss?

Shit, that’s pretty good actually. He gave you months of notice here. He told you even when he wasn’t sure himself. Again, what is wrong here?

So, you’ve been running around spreading news that wasn’t yours to spread, is that right? That’s not good for business. Yet again, how does that make him a bad boss?

Nice guy, he is keeping you informed. What makes him a bad boss again?

You were harping on even though he had been good enough to update you even though the other staff didn’t know about the situation. Sounding more considerate by the minute.

If he doesn’t know, he doesn’t know. He gave you some good advice.
How does that make him a bad boss?

Sounds like he isn’t a bad boss at all, at least nothing that you have written makes him a bad boss.

He’s only an asshole because that’s what you want him to be and because you’ll not have a job.

Sorry that you lost your job but there isn’t anything wrong here. Sounds like you may have pushed things against you in the long run, especially since you lost your cool when he was giving you information that wouldn’t be needed to give for about another month or two.

18

[quote=“patterson”]Assman,
Next time I make a thread, if I make a thread, dont give me any lectures on how to behave. Alright? I was angry because I was losing my job. I don’t want some freaking goddamn rules on how to become more like you. Keep your advice for others, cos I am tired of hearing it from you.

Oh and you dont? Just posting for the hell of it eh? Cos your life is so wonderful, you just drop down to tell lil old patterson how to fly right.

Being angry with you sure takes the sting out of getting the boot.[/quote]

:unamused: Some people never learn.

19

Bad bosses wear cowboy hats and smoke big cigars.

20

They come from New Zealand.

Play Bass

and

live in small towns.

If you ever meet a boss like this watch out, you’ll end up making some money, get reasonable hours, have weekends off, get all your meals if need be, and good grief a reference at the end of it all saying what an awesome teacher you were.

Yeah, ya gotta be careful when dealing with those types.

P.S. You won’t get my sympathy just because you’re a foreigner. Really, from what I read there isn’t anything wrong with the boss. From what I read that is.

Still, it sucks to not have a job. Like I said, WuChi.