Korean Job Discussion Forums

sojourner1

I do not know how best to title and write this post, but please let us know the facts and what I should reasonably expect in the event I have to leave at short notice if you have knowledge or experience on this unwanted situation. This is something neither the schools nor teachers plan for, for obvious reasons of not wanting to think about it.

My mother ended up in ICU a day ago on a ventilator due to artery blockage causing a lack of oxygen to her brain as well as a collapsed lung. She has all kinds of other things wrong with her too that I am just learning about. She is stabilized now and talking (barely), but very slow and confused. She things she is dying and has an cold emotional attitude that it is time to give up and let go. I told her I will see her this January. This pains me greatly. I have been up all night talking on the phone and having crying episodes. I just hope so dearly that she comes through this and we have more time before the inevitable happens.

What are the general guidelines for taking family medical leave? Do airlines have any sort of program for emergency trips without having to pay thousands more? What about your visa and job in Korea? As you can imagine, I am worried about many things. Please let me know what you think is the best way of dealing with a situation like this is. Thanks in advance.

It would be ideal to have a provision included in these teaching in Korea contracts; emergency medical leave of 1 week with at least half the flight paid for, should a close relative pass on during a contract.

I do know that you don't run home over a hospitalization despite feeling an emotional need to do so, because then you're waiting around and will lose your job and all your savings. Not being there with the family right now is a painful situation for me.

canuckistan · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject:

Some things are more important than finishing the contract.

sojourner1 · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:07 pm Post subject:

So if the worse news comes my way anytime, should I just buy a one way ticket immediately and then go to my local pension office to get my pension and go home ASAP? How do you get an airline ticket ASAP and next flight out? How do teachers typically handle this situation when it occurs? I sure hope it does not come down to this as I honestly don't know how to proceed, but being aware of it when your mom is in very serious condition in an ICU could be critically important.

It looks like a family emergency situation would cancel my visa and cause me to lose my job and anything I leave here. And then to get another job, I would have to wait 4 months provided I am not blacklisted by my employer at immigration. Well, I sure hope I can stay my final 4 months as to complete this contract and not be in a crisis.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

valkerie · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Location: Busan

I was in a similar situation (in Japan) and let my loyalty to work keep me there until my planned trip (just a few days later). My mother died around the halfway mark of my flight.

It really isn't worth it. Just do it. I still find this terribly painful to even write about.

Thinking of you.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I would go no hesitation....the money isn't worth it.

If you do decide to stay until next year and your mum dies in the meantime you will never forgive yourself...the relatively small amount of money that you are worried about isn't worth staying for.

Book a ticket as quick as you can for as early as you can(Chuseok might be sold out) and get all your stuff together and go....

If you are really concerned about the pension you can sort it out next time you coem back to korea.

It is all about peace of mind....

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Most airlines don't (probably all, but I can't say that for certain). Escpecially North American airlines (cheap bastards). You will probably have to fork out quite a bit of money, I did. It was still worth it.

Try www.xanadu.co.kr
or travelocity.com

Flying out of Tokyo Narita is always a lot cheaper... I hope this helps.

Young FRANKenstein

mumblebee · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Location: Andong

I had a similar situation with my dad, except he was really dying. I was able to get a flight the next day to Toronto for about 1.6 through my boss's brother in law, who is a travel agent. I was booked with a group that was on a package tour I think, but I just had the flight. It saved me close to 2 million...prices were super-high since I was flying within a few hours of booking. Oh yeah, bereavement fares do not give much discount, and you have to produce official certificates and such.

Koreans are generally very understanding of these family situations...you should get a week of paid leave regardless, and I would take that for a start. If things look OK, then you can come back and finish up your contract. If not, just be upfront with your boss, so they can do what they need to do on their end. My boss (admittedly a great guy) was basically prepared for me to be off for a while, or to not come back. Family is really important here...

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

sojourner1 · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:07 am Post subject:

So it is reasonable to ask for 1 week of paid leave if I need to go home. I know so many people have been through the conundrum of rushing home due to a situation like this, went broke, and then were staying on a couch or ended up homeless due to sudden change of plan and not being positioned properly for the change.

The only reason why I am not leaving right now is money and the fact I have nothing to go back to. No place to stay, no car, no nothing; just all problems. I know it's a small amount of money I am here for, but it's all I had coming and I am a very poor man living in financial fears due to previous struggles, though reasonably smart and educated which means little in todays expensive over priced and underpaying world.

It's not that I worship money, it's being set up into a situation of not being positioned properly leading to a real hardship. I remember what happened after 9/11 when I lost my job and went homeless, while I couldn't repair a car which I lost as a result. The last minute flight to the US, car rental, and motel rooms would wipe me out in the matter of days. It's OK if there was someone in the family who could help out with money and a place to stay, but there's not. I was considering staying in Thailand several months at the end of this contract while I reconsider what it is I doing next year and apply for jobs, but this leaves me no time if I have to rush home. I also know I need money to fly back over to a public school job next March since I would have to start over on saving. I was doing so good in the past 8 months with saving and trying to get back on my feet to give me a chance at pursuing a career by being able to purchase a car when I was to return home. It would be different if I had people to help me out a little with a place to stay, funds, and possibly a job. It would take a good 3 months most likely to get something. There is big wealth in my family, though not in my parents, but everyone is expected to pull their own weight, no if's, ands, or buts about it. No insurance or inheritance is possible; hopefully my sister and the wealthy in-laws will help with burial should it come down to that.

They all told me they understand if I can't come back on a whim as there is nothing I can do or they can do and know I will just fail financially going back home expectantly like this. It's bullshit the airlines don't do bereavement as a humanitarian service with unused seats. Cheap thoughtless capitalistic bastards. Since they are not compassionate, this is why everyone are so critically judgmental of them.

A co-FT had his grandpa die 2 months ago and he didn't go to his funeral due to lack of finances and I sure felt terrible for him. I plan on going if it comes down to a funeral. I just can't stop thinking about it and it downright pisses me off. Another huge setback. It would be different if I had a minimum of US $100,000. No worries, I could afford to leave today and then start work back up early next year. Whether I had money or not, I am devastated as many of you would be about this, but having financial woes compounds the problem by many times which often makes many in a situation like this not even tend to the issue. That is not my style and it pisses me off to not have the necessary wealth adult life today requires.

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

i have few regrets.

not going home for my grandfather's funeral was one of them.

it's your mom.

the chance that something could go wrong in the next little while is quite great. she sounds like she is in rough shape. i don't need to sound morbid... but do not take the chance of never talking to her again in person.

any sort of fallout you have between now and getting back on your feet, wage-earning in korea, is peanuts compared to regretting never talking to your mom again.

if it were me i'd be on a plane and no consequence would be considered. there are certain things that are more important. this is one of them. even if it means packing your things and doing a runner.

it's your mom. consider what the word "mom" means and weigh that against everything else.