Korean Job Discussion Forums

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

Hi all

Just a quick question...

Due to some kind of mistake concerning last year's f/t taking too much vacation at the school's expense, my winter vacation has been taken away. Not that big of deal except that I'm not sure there are many other opportunities to take vacation in a public school.

Is anyone else having to report to school this month after winter camp is finished for 8 hours a day when no other teachers or students will be there? I kind of doubt that this is the norm but technically my contract (GEPIK) doesn't say anything about having time off in January so I can't raise too much of a fuss.

I'm just worried that if I don't take take the vacation now, I'll lose it completely.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

This is normal. The only vacations you have are national holidays and the days specified in your contract. Don't expect any freebies.

indigo777 · Joined: 04 Feb 2006

I'm working until the 29th of January then taking 3 weeks . Usually teachers take the time during winter and summer break if they have it.

Octavius Hite · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:47 am Post subject:

NO. NO classes, No Octavius Hite.

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

But I was told there is no other vacation time available for me to use the days in my contract.

Basically it seems as if the school has taken away all vacation with the exception of the national holidays.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

You have 2 weeks vacation, right? That's on top of national holidays. They can't deny you your vacation. If you want to take it now then you're doing them a favor. I guess the last FT took more than his 2 weeks, but that's not your problem.

Ask them when they think you should take your vacation. Middle of the semester?

They're being bullies and I wouldn't put up with it.

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

Actually I have 19 days of vacation in my contract. I'm in a rural location.

My school has been awesome to me up until this point and I don't think they are really the ones who are responsible for this decision. Someone higher up has told them they must do this.

No, I'm not an elementary school teacher and I'm not interested in fighting them on it. I plan to work throughout January as they've demanded and try to make the most of the time. I just can't believe they're going to pay me to sit on my behind for two weeks all by myself in the school...

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Carlyles Ghost · Joined: 04 Jul 2007

I have more time off than I know what to do with. My second school, though a middle school, is also 'private'. They are able, and quite often do, play much looser with the rules regarding time off, more so since I am not the primary full time teacher at that school. Added up, in the three months (90 days) I have remaining on my contract, I will work something like 25. Winter camps are only half work-days at best which boosts the total to something approximating 35. Too much of a good thing...far too much.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

Don't mistake me.

I'm not putting up with anything... I'm just not fighting for 14 or 19 days of vacation when they're already in the contract.

I have an M.A. in TESOL and a pretty nice job offer at home for the spring. My resignation letter will be turned in this week.

I just wondered if this was something others had experienced... having to work during a time when the school is closed because a previous teacher took "too much" time off.

If they're taking away that vacation time, they are the ones in violation of the contract. I'm not an idiot... I can read English.

aarontendo · Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Location: Daegu-ish

They can make you sit there 8 hours a day during January and February. You use some of your vacation days to get outta at least a few of those days though.

It's a real crapshoot with schools whether or not they'll make you waste time sittin on your ass during holidays.

luvnpeas · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 3:44 am Post subject:

"having to work during a time when the school is closed because a previous teacher took "too much" time off. "

GEPIK teachers have to work when the school is closed because the contract says so. It's not clear what you're asking, or what you're saying the school is saying.

Your vacation is not the same as the students' vacation. You have X days of vacation time that you can take during the students' vacation time. When you are not taking your contract-specified vacation, you need to to come to school (during the students' vacation time). You're supposed to plan for the coming semester, clean/organize your room (if you have one), etc. They are work days, but not teaching days.

If you mean the school said it won't honor the contract-specified vacation time, you need tell them where to stick it, and take the vacation time anyway.