Pros
- lack of micromanagement thanks to the heavy workload for teachers flexible morning working hours since classes start from 3pm on regular days (non-school holidays) - higher-than-average starting pay for fresh grads because you will burn both weekends (as compared to gov orgs) - stocked pantry at the company's expense (varies in different locations) - time-management for lesson plans, worksheets, & curriculum planned by other teams - lesson observations for new hires - $100 stationery voucher, dental claim & doctor anywhere is free under GE corporate, transport claim between centres if you've cover lessons (although it takes a while for finance to reimburse you) - teacher's day treats by fellow colleagues! - new teaching schemes introduced recently in their attempt to retain talents for beyond 2 years - encourages teachers to take on professional development courses
Cons
- last minute covers can be assigned to you but you can't tell the planning team that you can't classes at the last minute (you need to tell them waaaaay in advance) - lesson planning and marking time isn't taken into account in your schedule so of course it will eat into your weekends - need to work 9-6 on both weekends (& be prepared to come in early to prepare for 9am classes although it won't be reimbursed) - may need to deal with unsupportive/unreasonable clients (students & parents) - self-entitled acad team/upper management who may use their power to get their way with issues you raise and offer insincere words of advice (bonus: you may get a dismissive subject head (SH) who thinks your worries as a new hire are invalid) - long notice period (2months - probation, 3 months - after confirmation) - entirely opaque about their bonuses (besides their 13th-month bonus) - applying for annual leaves 1 year in advance is the norm (having any last minute one approved would definitely depend on whether you scratch the planning team's back, they responded to mine rather quickly after i immediately ok-ed their last minute cover class in a faraway location)