Take it or leave it - that's the summary.
I have no negotiating power; my picture is not on the school posters ala fellow Ozzy's (guess who), and I want to stick around for a while more.
Within the first month here, I found out that some internationals with less (teaching) experience and less (university) qualifications have TWICE as much as I do.
So naturally, a while after they extended an offer to renew the contract - which was back in Feb, just before the Thailand trip - I went to my Reporting Officer with request that was pitched as:
I have no negotiating power; my picture is not on the school posters ala fellow Ozzy's (guess who), and I want to stick around for a while more.
Within the first month here, I found out that some internationals with less (teaching) experience and less (university) qualifications have TWICE as much as I do.
So naturally, a while after they extended an offer to renew the contract - which was back in Feb, just before the Thailand trip - I went to my Reporting Officer with request that was pitched as:
- want more involvement, and thus
- want better renumeration terms.
Someone did say 'watch what u wish for'... as only half of my wish got true.
The quick response from RO was that the school has no Visiting Lecturer openings. The VL is the contractual scheme that I would have to shift to in order to get more money. As this is black and white world - not even a shade of a gray; not to talk bout a rainbow - my current IF-I-was-a-teacher scheme is what it is. In order words the policies are written in stone. And since I am not a PR, the story ends there.
Sure enough, even though everyone told me so, to make sure I had to check that 'yes' the story really does end there, and so I took it to HR... After the informal chat, the process went to the e-mail:
06/11/2007 05:58 PM
Subject: IF new contract
Hi SY,
As discussed earlier:
Thank you for the opportunity to extend my stay at Ngee Ann.
Though, it came to my attention that my experience and qualifications are more aligned with the requirements of a VL position. And as you know, the actual daily responsibilities between a VL and IF are virtually the same, whereas a difference in contract remuneration can be very significant. Taking this into consideration, I am sure, it was no surprise to you that I have acquired about the possible VL openings.
Unfortunately, as there are no current VL positions that I could be considered for, I would like to have the terms of my new contract re-evaluated.
Moreover, I would like to draw to your attention to the couple of things that are making the news. In addition to a standard yearly inflation rate, this year there will be the increase in GST. Also, the banks have proposed the increase of the fees charged to retailers for NETS services - it is feared that this will lead to a further increase of the prices. In light of this, I don't just feel as though I am currently being underpaid, I feel as though I am taking the pay cut for the new contract.
Even though I get the positive feedback from students and colleagues, and I like teaching at Ngee Ann, I would appreciate if you can explore possible avenues that could make me feel more appreciated.
Sincerely,
Z
-----------------------------------
- upon arriving back from Vietnam I had the letter on the desk stating: "We have considered your request very carefully but regret that we are unable to revise our offer. Hence, our offer dated 11 May 07 remains unchanged."
- the day after seeing the latter, I had the meeting with HR Manager.
-----------------------------------
06/27/2007 10:15 AM
Subject: Air Passage
Good Morning Z
We refer to your request for a return air passage (2-way airticket) under your current contract.
We are sorry to inform you that we are unable to accede to your request . However, approval has been granted to allow you to use your flight elgibility for SIN/Croatia/SIN, your original homecountry instead of SIN/MEL/SIN.
Do contact me if you need further clarfications on the above,
Regards
SY
------------------------------------
28/06/2007 09:07 AM
Subject
Re: Air Passage
Good Morning SY,
Thanks for your prompt reply, which - it will be a no surprise to you - I find disappointing, as:
The quick response from RO was that the school has no Visiting Lecturer openings. The VL is the contractual scheme that I would have to shift to in order to get more money. As this is black and white world - not even a shade of a gray; not to talk bout a rainbow - my current IF-I-was-a-teacher scheme is what it is. In order words the policies are written in stone. And since I am not a PR, the story ends there.
Sure enough, even though everyone told me so, to make sure I had to check that 'yes' the story really does end there, and so I took it to HR... After the informal chat, the process went to the e-mail:
06/11/2007 05:58 PM
Subject: IF new contract
Hi SY,
As discussed earlier:
Thank you for the opportunity to extend my stay at Ngee Ann.
Though, it came to my attention that my experience and qualifications are more aligned with the requirements of a VL position. And as you know, the actual daily responsibilities between a VL and IF are virtually the same, whereas a difference in contract remuneration can be very significant. Taking this into consideration, I am sure, it was no surprise to you that I have acquired about the possible VL openings.
Unfortunately, as there are no current VL positions that I could be considered for, I would like to have the terms of my new contract re-evaluated.
Moreover, I would like to draw to your attention to the couple of things that are making the news. In addition to a standard yearly inflation rate, this year there will be the increase in GST. Also, the banks have proposed the increase of the fees charged to retailers for NETS services - it is feared that this will lead to a further increase of the prices. In light of this, I don't just feel as though I am currently being underpaid, I feel as though I am taking the pay cut for the new contract.
Even though I get the positive feedback from students and colleagues, and I like teaching at Ngee Ann, I would appreciate if you can explore possible avenues that could make me feel more appreciated.
Sincerely,
Z
-----------------------------------
- upon arriving back from Vietnam I had the letter on the desk stating: "We have considered your request very carefully but regret that we are unable to revise our offer. Hence, our offer dated 11 May 07 remains unchanged."
- the day after seeing the latter, I had the meeting with HR Manager.
-----------------------------------
06/27/2007 10:15 AM
Subject: Air Passage
Good Morning Z
We refer to your request for a return air passage (2-way airticket) under your current contract.
We are sorry to inform you that we are unable to accede to your request . However, approval has been granted to allow you to use your flight elgibility for SIN/Croatia/SIN, your original homecountry instead of SIN/MEL/SIN.
Do contact me if you need further clarfications on the above,
Regards
SY
------------------------------------
28/06/2007 09:07 AM
Subject
Re: Air Passage
Good Morning SY,
Thanks for your prompt reply, which - it will be a no surprise to you - I find disappointing, as:
- When flying to Europe/Australia from Singapore, the difference in air fare ticket price between one way and two way is within $300 range.
- Therefore, if Ngee Ann Poly was to reimburse the two return tickets, instead of the two one way tickets, the total extra cost incurred would probably not exceed $600 mark.
- Though I appreciate the opportunity to go and visit my family and friends in Croatia, that now comes at the expense of not being able to visit my imitate family back in Melbourne until October 08 (i.e year and a half since the last visit).
The extra cost that Ngee Ann would incur by paying $600 on top of the value of my expiring contact would:
- Counteract the 2% GST increase (i.e 2% of 30K is 600)
- Would represent, circa, $1500 overall increase of the contract package (i.e. the expense that I would have to pay to get a return ticket to Melbourne). Additionally, this could be viewed as the 5% increase of the current contract's value (i.e. 5% of 30K is 1500 - not taking into consideration the loss due to the GST)
- Moreover, it would show me that Ngee Ann Poly values their staff, and is willing to compromise in the wake of the unusual circumstance (i.e. postgraduate degree and subsequent 5 years of teaching at the well recongised university prior joining the Poly as an IF)
- Might help make one teacher happier, and I'm sure you are familiar with the saying that goes round here: happy teachers, happy students.
Also as discussed, I hope that it will be possible to have my 30yr old bed mattress with depleted support and stains all-over replaced.
After understanding circumstances of the organisational hierarchy and unavailability of the relevant VL openings, from my perspective, these are very humble things that I'm asking in return - on one side, whereas on the other - I feel like I am providing quality value though continuously dedicated effort of exemplifying teaching (where the first priority is the best interest of students) that is second to none, for a bargain price.
I will keep anticipating means to be found towards a compromise where things can be perceived as more 'fair' and a bit closer to a 'win win' situation.
Regards,
Z
------------------------------------
07/03/2007 11:36 AM
Subject
Re: Air Passage
Dear Z,
We spoke at length on the reasons for not adjusting the International Fellow package and appreciate your understanding on our position. As explained by SY, we are prepared to accede to allow you the use of your flight eligibility for SIN/CROATIA/SIN instead of SIN/MEL/SIN, although this is not our usual practice. You would also appreciate that there is a need for us to maintain internal equity when determining the remuneration package institution wide. We encourage you to consider the other positive aspects of our offer such as the 42 days of annual leave, our work environment, the training opportunities available and the excitement of nurturing our students. Please do let us have your decision by 9 July 2007, Monday.
I have spoken to my colleague, JL from the Estates Management Office with regard to your request for a change of your mattress. She would be in touch with you directly. Thanks.
CT
-----------------------------------
After understanding circumstances of the organisational hierarchy and unavailability of the relevant VL openings, from my perspective, these are very humble things that I'm asking in return - on one side, whereas on the other - I feel like I am providing quality value though continuously dedicated effort of exemplifying teaching (where the first priority is the best interest of students) that is second to none, for a bargain price.
I will keep anticipating means to be found towards a compromise where things can be perceived as more 'fair' and a bit closer to a 'win win' situation.
Regards,
Z
------------------------------------
07/03/2007 11:36 AM
Subject
Re: Air Passage
Dear Z,
We spoke at length on the reasons for not adjusting the International Fellow package and appreciate your understanding on our position. As explained by SY, we are prepared to accede to allow you the use of your flight eligibility for SIN/CROATIA/SIN instead of SIN/MEL/SIN, although this is not our usual practice. You would also appreciate that there is a need for us to maintain internal equity when determining the remuneration package institution wide. We encourage you to consider the other positive aspects of our offer such as the 42 days of annual leave, our work environment, the training opportunities available and the excitement of nurturing our students. Please do let us have your decision by 9 July 2007, Monday.
I have spoken to my colleague, JL from the Estates Management Office with regard to your request for a change of your mattress. She would be in touch with you directly. Thanks.
CT
-----------------------------------
Hopefully I'll get SY to allow me to purchase a return tickets by paying for the difference between two-way and one way tickets on my own, as she did for my Melbourne visit. But I doubt it...!
Ps: not being fairly rewarded at work is, unsurprisingly, a common thing.
sicVitaEst...!
Ps: not being fairly rewarded at work is, unsurprisingly, a common thing.
sicVitaEst...!
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