Job Discussion Forums

angus88 · Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 1 Location: UK

Hullo
I'm thinking of applying to Deborah's Kindergarten in HK. I know that they have a very attractive holiday allowance (6-8 weeks) but am I right in thinking that you can only take them off during official school holidays? I have a friend who wants to visit me in HK and I assume I would not be able to take time off to entertain them. They're thinking of booking their ticket now AFTER easter....cheers

anninhk · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 284

First of all it seems a very strange question as you haven't actually applied for the job or even been offered it. I presume you must think you will automatically get the job.
If you are a teacher you will know that your holidays coincide with the holidays that the children get. It isn't usually possible to get holidays at other times considering that we get Christmas, Easter and in Hong Kong, Chinese New Year.
I wouldn't suggest you talk about the holidays when applying for the job - doesn't give the right idea about your commitment to the school somehow!

Dipso · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 194 Location: England

The holidays at Deborah are set - you can't take time off when you please. You would probably get time off at Christmas, Chinese New Year, Easter and in the summer, plus national holidays.

11:59 · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject:

What is a 'holiday allowance', and how is 6-8 weeks 'attractive'?

There are basically six good reasons to be a teacher in HK: June, July, August, Christmas, Chinese New Year, & Easter. Most have around 3 or 4 months off a year, and those of us in university posts have around 5 months, fully paid of course. Makes one wonder why on Earth anyone would ever teach anywhere else, really.

sm · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 36 Location: UK

Sorry to say this angus88 but is this not a dumb question? surely any teacher would know that that's not possible and even if you are new to this industry common-sense goes a long way!

kowlooner · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 230 Location: HK, BCC (former)

Gotta thank dipso (and annie) for actually answering the question! Not sure if it's really that dumb a question, sm, since it's certainly not unheard of for school teachers to request (and get) leave during the regular school year. And annie, don't be too hard on the guy! Though he - and especially his friend / friends - may be overly optimistic about employment, it wasn't an unreasonable exploratory question.

11:59 · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject:

Is that official, Kowlooner? Are you decreeing that?

No problem! I'm sure someone else will be more than happy to cover for her while she goes gallivanting off around town.

kowlooner · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 230 Location: HK, BCC (former)

What are you on about, 59? No decrees, no promises, but just a statement of fact, that it's "certainly not unheard of for school teachers to request (and get) leave during the regular school year."

11:59 · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject:

Let us see if you can find a single other person who agrees with you. No one above seems to.

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

I'm sure it is possible to arrange a leave with a several week notice. That's called 'leave on own expence' or something like that, usually entitled to women with small children, single parent family and some other cases. All this should be set in the civil or labout laws. Yes, I've taken such a leave, no, it wasn't in Hong Kong but for this one must know laws.

BCinHK · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Hong Kong

The EDB NET contract states that "special leave with pay for a maximum of 2 days per school year may be granted for the NET to attend to urgent private affairs of grave importance".

While some principals only allow this leave to be used for visiting critically ill parents/siblings, funerals, or the NET's own wedding, others have allowed NETs to use it for a variety of purposes such as to take university exams, to extend a 'long' holiday (Christmas, CNY, Easter), or to have time with visiting family or friends.