When Your Boss Ignores the Typhoon: Navigating Weather Policies as a TEFL Teacher

Living and working abroad as an English teacher comes with its own unique set of challenges—and one of the most confusing can be figuring out what happens when severe weather hits. You might find yourself in a situation where local schools are closing left and right, your commute is treacherous, and yet your manager insists the storm isn’t coming.

This disconnect between what you see happening around you and what your employer believes can feel frustrating and even unsafe. Understanding how to handle these moments can make all the difference in your teaching experience abroad.

Why the Confusion Happens

Many TEFL schools operate independently from local education systems. While public schools may follow government weather warnings and close proactively, private language academies sometimes have their own policies. Your manager might be relying on weather reports that differ from local news, or they could be concerned about losing a day’s revenue.

There’s also a cultural element at play. In some countries, there’s a strong emphasis on showing up regardless of circumstances. What feels like common sense to you might be seen as lack of commitment to them.

Your Safety Comes First

Before you worry about disappointing anyone, remember this: no lesson plan is worth risking your safety. If you have a long commute involving multiple trains or buses, and the weather is predicted to be dangerous, trust your instincts. A two-hour journey through a typhoon isn’t dedication—it’s unnecessary risk.

Practical Steps to Take

If you find yourself in this situation, start by gathering evidence. Take screenshots of official weather warnings and announcements from local schools that have closed. Send these to your manager in a calm, professional email explaining your concerns.

Ask specific questions: “Will transportation services be running? What is the official protocol for weather closures?” Sometimes managers respond better when you frame it as a request for clarity rather than a refusal to work.

Know Your Contract

Check your employment contract for any mention of weather policies. Some schools have clear guidelines about typhoon signals or storm warnings that trigger automatic closures. If yours doesn’t, this might be a conversation worth having with HR before the next storm season.

The Backup Plan

If your manager remains unreasonable, consider your options. Can you teach online from home that day? Some schools are flexible about switching to virtual classes during bad weather. If not, and you genuinely feel unsafe commuting, you may need to make a tough call.

You’re Not Alone

Many teachers have faced this exact dilemma. The key is to communicate clearly and document everything. Keep records of your conversations, your attempts to resolve the issue, and the weather warnings in your area.

The Bigger Picture

Moments like these teach you something important about your workplace. A school that ignores safety concerns during minor storms may not support you in other ways either. Pay attention to how they handle crisis situations—it often reveals their true priorities.

Guangning Year of the Dragon or not, typhoons don’t follow anyone’s schedule. The best schools understand that teacher safety isn’t negotiable. If yours doesn’t, it might be time to start looking for schools that do.