Korean Job Discussion Forums

[milkweedma]

If travelling outside of Korea when your supposed to be in country, (ie outside of your official holiday time) if you do it, how can your POE find out anyway? And if they did, your only gonna lose some money right?

[patongpanda]

In February we have 'Spring Break'. It's seems a bit nuts 'cos we will have only been at school for one week.

Last time I was the only sucker who came to school. The other teachers just made one token appearance. Their official excuse is 'Training'. I would really like to take off if this happens again.

In the contract it says not turning up for one week is grounds for firing, but who's gonna know?

I'm tempted - any sage advice?

[Bibbitybop]

[crazy_arcade]

There's different stories about this.

The official line is that teachers shouldn't be traveling anywhere outside of official vacation time. The reason being is that the school/education office is responsible and libel for you during times when you're "supposed" to be at school. If anything serious were to happen to you, it could be a big mess.

I get things like final exams and mid-terms off. During this time I usually take trips within Korea. My co-teacher just says to be careful. I've taken short trips to Japan also but have never told my school about this.
In a couple weeks, during final exams, I will be going to Tokyo.

However, I will tell my co-teacher that I'm traveling within Korea to learn more about Korea. If you don't tell them anything then you run a risk of them calling you one day and asking you to come in. Technically, you're supposed to be at work (unless you got it written into your contract) and they could call you to show up one morning.

[Bibbitybop]

[quote="crazy_arcade"they could call you to show up one morning.[/quote]

Not if you don't answer, have the phone off or are out of the country!

[ajgeddes]

I am pretty sure the only time you are supposed to be in the country is from 8:30AM Monday until 4:30PM Friday. Any other time is yours to do with as you please. What other times are you talking about?

[Bibbitybop]

[Lostone7]

My school is pretty Kewl and I just get treated ........in regards to vacation the same as the K -teachers.

I have heard many who are told they leave =no pay. I was even told that by the head of the Busan POE at last training when a guy asked.

However, as state above ..............I simply go to "Seoul" and forget my cell if I am headed out for short trips to Japan or else where. No need to make issues where none exist.

Also, what is told one day doesn't always apply the next.
Mrs. EDIT told a cat nope cant leave or no pay etc. then yesterday I asked her if she wanted me to bring her something from SE Asia
after my vacation.

But, maybe she thinks i am only gone for a week

I guess if nobody knows nobody cares

[jvalmer]

Apparantly, certain Korean teachers are also told they shouldn't leave the country. I think it's mostly new young teachers that are told this. But, all they do is just go to "Seoul" or "Jeju" and sometimes bring back pretty exotic gifts to give out to the other teachers.

[oxfordstu]

[stevieg4ever]

ill be in malaysia between the 10th and 20th. after that i have 2 weeks free but the POE said that the only way i could have more time off would be if i used some of my summer holiday up which im not rpepared to do. kind of sucks as i wanted more time in malaysia but just means i can travel korea some more.

[yeremy]

I think this is a very silly policy but I understand why they do this. I think if you don't have to go into school then you should be free to do with your free time as you wish. More than few of the Korean teachers at the school I work at duck out 'legally' for one reason or another.