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GAAH! I'm reaching my breaking point!

 
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twg



Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Location: Getting some fresh air...

PostPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:21 pm    Post subject: GAAH! I'm reaching my breaking point! Reply with quote

To make a fairly typical story short-

How can I spin "The thousand pinpricks of petty office politics, nit-picky management style, and K-logic is irritating the hell out of me" into something the boss will understand when I give notice?
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Carlyles Ghost



Joined: 04 Jul 2007

PostPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take this job and shove it.

Smile
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renzobenzo1



Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin

PostPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think I reach my breaking day every day.....

Then the new day arrives and I'm back into it Cool
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Yu_Bum_suk



Joined: 25 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Narrow it down to one to three things that annoy you the most that the boss could change, and make it very clear those are the reasons why you're leaving.
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nobbyken



Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Location: Yongin ^^

PostPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just remember that, back home there were many days I hated going to work and dreaded getting up!

Most people would love to get a new job in another country.
Chances are, after the honeymoon period it would be just like their old job.
Same stuff happens, only the faces change.

How you deal with the stuff is what matters.

Sure, in Scotland there were many obnoxious, "this is the best place in the world" people and those which treated foreigners like 2nd class citizens. Most people in their own country are oblivious to such people, and just ignore their silly actions as matter of daily routine.

Because you are in an alien environment, these things are big issues now. Back home, you wouldn't bat an eyelid.

Just some thoughts I had, which help me be enthusiastic through a day.
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icicle



Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

PostPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think one question I would ask you ... in working out what to say to your boss ... is whether you have made up your mind that leaving is the best thing for you to do ... or if you want to try to work things out before you make that decision ...

If you know leaving is best for you ... for whatever reason ... then what you may want to consider is what is a reason that your boss will accept (ie a good non-threatening/face-saving to him reason) without potentially making the rest of your time too difficult ... giving the logical / full reasons correct and true though they are may not be the best answer to give ... This could also make it easier for you to do the "here is my notice" in a non-emotional way and make it easier on you ... I think considering the possible impact of different approaches on you ... is probably the best way to approach a decision about what to say ...

Icicle
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Julius



Joined: 27 Jul 2006

PostPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most jobs in korea have the same problems of management and egos.

if you quit you'd probably be better off heading to a new country.
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Ya-ta Boy



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994

PostPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

twg, you're one of the saner posters here, so I'm guessing things are grim. Obviously, you have decided not to use:
Quote:

PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER
with your boss. Good choice.

1. If your decision to leave is not final, do you work where you have discretion in using vacation days? If so, take some now.

2. I quit my last job mid-contract. The only excuse I gave was, "I'm unhappy here." I quit another job after 4 years. I just said, "It's time for me to go." In both cases, the bosses didn't ask for any other reason. I really think that is the only explanation you need to give.
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twg



Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Location: Getting some fresh air...

PostPosted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

icicle wrote:
or if you want to try to work things out before you make that decision ...

I already brought my grievances to the boss. It got me the "The Korean teachers have to put up with more" line of reasoning that I can't argue with. I mean, they shouldn't be putting up with the crap that they do put up with, but they have the fear of unemployment in them. Whereas I know I can get another job within a short time.

Ya-ta Boy wrote:
1. If your decision to leave is not final, do you work where you have discretion in using vacation days? If so, take some now.

Sadly, I spent a month off on August. Taiwan and Japan. Cleaned my mind out. But they also emptied my bank account. I'll need to stay where I am for another couple of months to get back into the safe zone.

The other problem was that the time off made me a lot more aware of the tiny irritants that have been building into a need to change my situation.

Quote:
I quit my last job mid-contract. The only excuse I gave was, "I'm unhappy here." I quit another job after 4 years. I just said, "It's time for me to go." In both cases, the bosses didn't ask for any other reason. I really think that is the only explanation you need to give.

Yeah. I may just have to give the "Time to move on" reason and leave it at that.

Julius wrote:
Most jobs in korea have the same problems of management and egos.

if you quit you'd probably be better off heading to a new country.

Yeah, I know. It's more pronounced where I'm currently at than at previous hagwons. I'm five months into my second contract with them due to pay being steady and my apartment being modern and well located. (I've worked in the crappiest hagwons in Korea) But the irritations of the job.. and the culture as well... are really getting to me.

But, I'm going to have to stay a few more months where I'm at in order to get the money needed to settled in Japan or Taiwan.

Frigging money.

Carlyles Ghost wrote:
Take this job and shove it.

Smile

Word
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soju pizza



Joined: 21 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't think they'd really care either way. Just lie to them and say something that will garner you a good reference.
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PRagic



Joined: 24 Feb 2006

PostPosted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You could tell him that you just aren't cut out to make it overseas in a culture so far removed from your own. That, however, would result in you having an even more difficult time getting out.

As one poster suggested, the easiest and cleanest way to get out of your contract is simply to lie, and make it a good one. Give proper notice (a month should do it), and play the part. The key is to not make the boss lose face. If that happens, you are screwed.

Another option is to just stick it out. Are you getting paid on time? Is your abode livable? Then just deal with the rest. Remember the axiom: They pretend to care about education, the students pretend to learn, and I pretend to teach. Let the rest just roll off your shoulders. It's a hakwon job, and they all pretty much blow. There is no need for you to get involved in 'office politics' or the like, particularly where management is concerned. In fact, it will be confusing and/or insulting to them if you try.

Good luck.
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Dome Vans
Guest




PostPosted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Because you are in an alien environment, these things are big issues now. Back home, you wouldn't bat an eyelid.


To my simple mind, when ever I see this I always imagine this:



I'd be scared of working in a place filled with aliens.

That said, back to topic.

Some people just get itchy feet. I usually put a two year limit of staying somewhere, before I notice things that bug the hell out of me, I can do the job standing on my head so therefore is no challenge, and it doesn't get my juices going. I think you may be like this, change of scenery always makes a difference but you'll notice after a couple of years this cropping up again.

Happiness is very much linked with the work place because you spend a lot of time there. It's what gets you thinking, challenges you so it's important to keep on top of these feelings, they don't really change though.

Usually you'll find a reason to finish, mine has always been "it's time to move on, I've given you my best and now I'm off, thanks." Always very professional and amicable.

I spent 4 years in sweden, loved it but after that time I'd gone as far as I wanted with cooking, swedish celebrities, royalty, weddings, all done to my standard. Then Korea now, another challenge. But nothing long term. Then it's gonna be time to settle down somewhere.

Good luck twg!
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twg



Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Location: Getting some fresh air...

PostPosted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PRagic wrote:
You could tell him that you just aren't cut out to make it overseas in a culture so far removed from your own.

Heh. That'll be a funny moment after I tell her that.

"What? But you've been here six years."

"I'm a slow learner."

Dome Vans wrote:
Some people just get itchy feet. I usually put a two year limit of staying somewhere, before I notice things that bug the hell out of me, I can do the job standing on my head so therefore is no challenge, and it doesn't get my juices going. I think you may be like this, change of scenery always makes a difference but you'll notice after a couple of years this cropping up again.

I've been thinking that this is exactly the problem... Well, aside from all of the job's crap... And it may be exactly the solution.

I'll do a few more months to get relocation money and see what Taiwan will get me. It'll suck to not get that end of second contract bonus, but ehn...
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Dome Vans
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Dome Vans wrote:
Some people just get itchy feet. I usually put a two year limit of staying somewhere, before I notice things that bug the hell out of me, I can do the job standing on my head so therefore is no challenge, and it doesn't get my juices going. I think you may be like this, change of scenery always makes a difference but you'll notice after a couple of years this cropping up again.

Quote:
I've been thinking that this is exactly the problem... Well, aside from all of the job's crap... And it may be exactly the solution


I've kind of realised that this is just me. It's not to with the job, it just comes down to challenges and wanting to live abroad. It'll take a good woman and the perfect situation to make me settle down. I'm only 29 so I've still got time. Do it while you're young and then "hopefully" get bored and settle down. Not looking too hopeful yet!!
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twg



Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Location: Getting some fresh air...

PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Women are like emotional quicksand. Wink
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