Korean Job Discussion Forums

[faerona]

Just wondering what people think...

I have asked for Christmas week off. However, because 2 other teachers are vacationing that week...I have been denied. My hagwon has told me that I cannot try to find someone else to cover, which would be unlikely anyway. I must, must, must get home for Christmas.

I am thinking of just going anyway. I have the vacation days left to take and the hagwon kind of owes me for some stuff that went on earlier(they are aware of this). If they tell me they'll fire me, I'll insist on my 60 days written notice(in my contract), which will be the end of my contract anyway.

I know its kinda a sh**ty thing to do, as the school will have to get someone to cover. But really, I gotta get home......

Anyone have any other ideas or helpful advice...the key word there being 'helpful'? Or anyone interested in working that week(not Christmas day)? Ha ha. Thanks.

[schwa]

The most helpful thing I can suggest is that you live up to your obligations. You'll respect yourself for it.

[kimcheeking]

[crazylemongirl]

hi,
Your probably not going to find much of sympathetic ear on here. Your breaking your end of the bargin, there are so many people in korea have to deal with contract violations on the part of their boss and these sort of things really do give teachers a bad name.

First up,
Are you absoultly sure you need to go home for christmas? You said you had time owing and the reason you couldn't go then is because other teachers are taking their leave. Maybe you could get some time a few weeks later.

Also your employer is counting on you to fill classes etc. I think you should at least have the decency to tell your employer ahead of time. Speaking of which, if you do kick up a stink like this, you may find some of your colleagues are have their holiday time cancelled due to you. That won't be a great working enviroment. Have you explained your situation to them and tried to swap holiday times?

CLG

[Mr. Pink]

And why on earth do you HAVE to get home so bad that you couldn't have made arrangements the first day you got to Korea?

Sounds like you are just being stupid...and wtf for only a week? You gotta be a noobie here...stupid and unrealistic.

(EDIT: to mods if this is too offensive, just edit out the second stupid.)

[Corporal]

Yeah that to all of the above.

[ulsanchris]

sounds like you will be home a couple of months after christmas anyways. Why worry about going home for a week anyhow. If you really have to go home at christmas see if one of your coworkers will be sympathetic and agree to switch places with you.
Unless you have a damn good reason to be going home, forget about and stick out for the next couple of months.

[The Den]

Why do you want to go home for a week when you can bask in the glory that is the Korean Christmas celebration. All that turkey flavoured kimchi they bring out. Not to mention the lovely Christmas decorations you will see everywhere in the cities. On top of that on Christmas day the adjummas and adjoshis are so courteous. Taxi drivers stop and pick you up and give you a warm smile. Motorcycles coming up behind you on the sidewalk slow down a bit and flash a big Merry Christmas grin. Snowflakes peacefully falling on downtown Busan with all the neighborhood children running around having snowball fights, ooh and don't forget the Hagwon Christmas pageant. I will be dressing as Santa Claus. I have been working on my beard and drinking barrels of beer and soju to get my gut in shape for the big day handing out treats to all the little elves at the hagwon. Think of what you will be missing out on when you are sitting at home celebrating Christmas with your friends and family.

[lush72]

In January, thanks to lunar new year, you already have the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th off. If you take 2 days vacation then you could have the 17th to the 25th off! Cant you "hold it" a month?