Re: Oxford Centre / Bielsko Biala, Poland

I am a current native-english teacher at oxford center in Bielsko, Poland and was working there when all this "HYPED-UP drama" took place. The original opinion of course was rather one-sided and the story leaves a lot of gaps and inacurracies.

Now I am going to clear-up SOME (of the many) inaccuracies that were mentioned.
#1. I was approached by 2 teachers in October 2008 to go along with the idea that we were being unfairly paid. I did not agree with the idea because I also did the math and saw no discrepencies, especially as we were paid for all holidays inluding x-mas (~ 2weeks), winter break (2 weeks), easter (~ 2 days), May Days (~ 5 days) not to mention all the 1 day holidays in the year and guaranteed the SAME salary even when we were sick, classes cancelled or ended. Sorry, the math doesn't add up, everything was legit, no one was working for free.

#2. The owner agreed to expain the contract to them again, but the teachers were less interested in listening and more interested in attacking. Not agreeing with a contract is different than a contract being illegal. All teachers had the opportunity to look at the contract before signing. If you don't agree, then don't sign! In addition, 2 of these teachers were returning teachers. Clearly you wouldn't sign to renew your contract if you weren't being paid or if you thought you were being "shafted" as it was so eloquently put.

#3 The 1000zl (a lot of money IN Poland= 2months rent) was given as a BONUS (in addition to the regular salary) to the teachers who agreed to stay until the end of January at which time their contracts COULD, but may not, be renewed.

#4 The 15 year existence of the school PROVES that it is not in fact a crap school. Talking to other current teachers and in my own experience, we have never been wrongly paid, nor cheated out of money while working at the school. Not only that, but the owner also pays the rent for a nice flat, the use of a company car and taxi service if needed.
In fact i have worked for 5 different schools in poland and i have always received correct payment and on time...

#5 If you are fighting laws in Poland, NO PRIVATE SCHOOLS will employ their workers. All teachers in all schools are hired under a civil contract. This means that they are not required to pay benefits... but this IS NOT unique to Oxford Center. I also work in private state schools and it is the same situation there and of course this applies to nationals and foreigners alike.

As for the comment made by Mr. Mulhall, i was told you were a good teacher and really nice, but you had a huge problem with your social behaviour. The many instances where the school went above and beyond to help you with the police, forgive repeatedly excuses for not coming to work, and finding you a cheaper flat after another school played you, makes me pity you. This forum is not the place for you to take revenge on others for your own self-inflicted wrongs.

Oxford Centre / Bielsko Biala, Poland

January 29, 2009

Please be careful when considering the Oxford Centre in Bielsko Biała.

This academic year a problem with the contract was found that meant teachers were working for three weeks unpaid over the contract period and overtime also wasn't being paid. The maths was checked by all and the teachers were happy they had it right. They brought it to the owner's attention. She told them they were wrong. No clarification just wrong.

A week later they were told they could either put it behind them and finish the contract to the end of June or they could stay until the end of January, get 1,000zł (not much) and leave.

Two teachers left at the beginning of December, as they didn't trust the owner to pay them, as it was common knowledge she had previously shafted teachers who had left at the end of their contracts (bizarre deductions etc).

One teacher planned to leave at the end of January and two decided to stay until the end of the contract in June.

The two teachers who decided to stay (one guy had no choice as his girlfriend lives in the town) were told on the last day of term (last week) that they would not be coming back after the Winter break. No notice. The reason? Punishment as they hadn't supported the owner against the accusations. Nice.

The owner has saved thousands in pay with the current contract which has been used for many years. In addition, teachers are told that they do not need to register in Poland. This is wrong. Also, the role is employed but she pays tax on a contractor basis. Teachers are told that health insurance is through the European Health Insurance Card. This is false as that card is only valid if you're travelling as a tourist.

In short, think very carefully before approaching Oxford Centre in Bielsko Biała for work.