Korean Job Discussion Forums

Anna_Louise · Joined: 22 Jun 2007

I am hoping to head out to Korea in a few months time and have a couple of questions about how vacation time works at Hagwons. I understand that you get all national holidays off by law, and at least 10 days of vacation on top of that, which most schools say means 1 week in the summer, 1 week in winter. I just wondered how this works-are there set periods when the kids aren't in class and all the teachers get their vacation time, or can you just take a week when you like?

Thanks for any help....

seoulsucker · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:08 am Post subject:

Most hagwons have set vacations for the 10 days. 5 towards the end of July, and 5 around Christmas.

Unfortunately, a lot of hagwons will schedule their 5 days on a Thursday/Friday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday type thing, so you actually get a 7 day break instead of a 9 day break. Sneaky...very sneaky.

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

It really depends on the hagwon. Some will give you a week but others might only give you a couple of days. It really depends on their schedules and if they close or not. Koreans are work-a-holics so some dont take time off. Contract might state 10 days, but it really is up to the school. In my case, its just me and a korean teacher. There is no one to take my classes if I go for a week. Plus she doesn't get 10 days of vacation in her contract so it really would not be fair to her. I really don't press the contract much unless it comes to money like severance pay.

Anna_Louise · Joined: 22 Jun 2007

Thanks for your help guys

Texas T-Bone · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Location: SK

Just because the place says 10 days or whatever, don't hesitate to ask for more when you're negotiating. Nothing wrong with asking for an extra week or two with pay, just make sure you specify. Hogwons are like used car lots, treat it as such and you will be happier in the end, especially when you are enjoying that extra paid time off while your co-workers bust their balls.

B~

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

I saw the title of the thread and immediately laughed.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

Its totally dependent on the school. Even if they promise you 10 days vacation (which is more than a lot of hogwans give), there's no gurantee that you are going to get it. I've seen them say "oh, no can do this break. Maybe next time." Crap like that. If you really value your vacation time, have it spelled out in dates in tehcontract or don't work at a hogwan.

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

It's like anything else in Korea, it has to be negotiated. Most Hogwan owners don't like the concept of vacations and if you ask for any they will always ask you to take your leave of absence during an already scheduled holiday. The way I got around that was to say "Hey thats a great idea....so now I will just take my four days vacation after the Thanksgiving holiday so I'll have ten days vacation in all". After that he usually gave me what I asked for.

daz1979 · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Gangwon-Do

I asked my director yesterday and he said I get to choose when I want my days off. I asked my co-teacher when she is going to take her days and found out she only gets 2 days off, not 5. Harsh!

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

[quote="I-am-me"] In my case, its just me and a korean teacher. There is no one to take my classes if I go for a week. Plus she doesn't get 10 days of vacation in her contract so it really would not be fair to her. quote]

It's largely irrelevent what your Korean co-worker puts up with.
Take your Vacation days as they are due to YOU.

Whichever poor sod lands your job after you leave is going to get "oh but ____teacher didn't take any Vacation, blahblah etc" from the boss.

Anna_Louise · Joined: 22 Jun 2007

Thanks for all your help guys, it's much appreciated!