Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thatwhitegirl]

Last week, after asking several times , we got the dates for our winter holiday (PS). Needed them to buy tickets and reserve hotels and all...you know.
And we got these dates directly from the vice principal.

Anyway, today one of the teachers comes in and tells me that they have decided to have classes for 2 days the 2nd week of Feb, and more classes on 3 other days the next week. We had already been told our holidays, so bought tickets.

Problem lies herein: those first 2 surprise back-to-school days are while we are still gone.
The teacher looked and sounded rather upset/perturbed when I was explaining it. I was very nice, and tried to be accommodating...offered to have classes some other days....

Anyway, think we are in for some big problems? We like it here and are thinking of signing for another year.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think, in situations like what you described, you bat your eyes, smile and act innocent while saying, "YOU have a problem. Last week you told me this information and I made plans. How do YOU plan to solve YOUR problem?"

[confused and upset]

I hope everything works out all right for you. It would be very unfair if you lost your job over something like that.

[thatwhitegirl]

thanks. I do hope it works out. And the wide-eyed innocent foreigner might work.

[Zaria32]

I keep meaning to mention that I love your little truck-really cute! Always makes me smile.

[bassexpander]

I ran into this problem EVERY YEAR while working for a high school. I just stuck to my guns and told them, "Sorry, I already purchased my tickets, and cannot cancel because you gave me the dates already."

This nearly made the foreigner adviser (between myself and the principal) have a heart attack, "But! But! The principal says! You must change the date!"

I calmly laughed and said, "I'm sorry, you already gave me the previous dates (and in fact, I'd already moved the tickets once while it was still possible), so they're booked. If the school wants to pay me the extra $500 it costs me to move the tickets, then let's talk. Otherwise, I'm going, and I guess you'll have to accept it or fire me."

In the end, I won. I always won.

Booking international flight tickets and hotel rooms is not something you easily (or cheaply) change when the principal gets a wild hair. I also knew that it's a lot more of a headache for them to replace me with another foreigner who may turn out to be really bad.

[SeoulFinn]

OP, I think that you'll be just fine. It was VP who gave you those days. Enjoy your holiday!

I want to be hired by big Korean company that expects me to behave like a Korean. That would be fun! For example:

Little Boss:"Um, SeoulFinn? Where are you going?"
SeoulFinn: "Home, where else?"
LB: "But it's only 5PM and the big boss is still here!"
SF:"So? I get paid from 9-5, right?"
LB: "Yes, but..."
SF: "No butts. Am I being paid to work after 5 or not?"
LB:"No, I guess not. But in Korea..."
SF:"...you are supposed to work for nothing? Or even pretend to be working just because boss is still in the office? Most of the others are just surfing the web, playing go stop online AND looking busy."
LB:"Umm... Well... "
SF:"Did I not finish the job you gave me? It's right there on your table."
LB:"You did. I got some more work for you to do, so..."
SF:"And I will get right to it tomorrow morning, you know, 9-5?"
LB:"So if you go now you won't be drinking with us this night?"
SF:"No, I'll spend some quality time with better half. Maybe next time."
LB:"Um, you see that..."

This would probably get me fired during the 1st week, or right after the time it happened. ^^ But I think that it would still be fun as a weird experiment!

[nomad-ish]

i took no chances this vacation, i typed up a letter stating my vac dates when they were given to me, then i got my co-teacher and VP to sign on the dotted line. i'm all about the paperwork now

[kat2]

[Lostone7]

Happened to me

I simple sat down with a calender and the VP found a date that worked for me
said ok ill be here then see you. Have a great vacation i'll bring you a present

It was finished.