Korean Job Discussion Forums

robbyt · Joined: 14 Jun 2006

should i be getting a little bit more than that? it's getting really annoying. according to the labor standards act, employees are entitled to a 30 minute break for every 4 hours worked, which may be used however the employee pleases. the thing is that i get 5 minute breaks between all my classes which are 25 minutes long. this puts me well within the ratio of work time to break time, but 5 minutes isn't even enough time to eat, have a drink and use the washroom.

i've tried politley talking to my boss about it, but he says i must be flexible and refuses to change anything.

i know this is not the most serious of issues to complain about. for me its actually the smallest issue in a larger set of problems which includes being charged for a health insurance plan i don't have, non-payment of pension and a few others.

what do you think? am i stuck with only 5 minutes?

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

Teaching does cause your daily plans to change. Lunch and/or dinner time may change. This is par for the course. Change your thinking on this issue, thou you do have larger problems with your employer to deal with. GOOD LUCK!

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

how ominous - at first glance I saw your username as "ROBOT"

hmmm, that's how you'll wind up sticking on this routine.

many of us swallowed that nonsense our first year - and why so many change jobs or leave after the first one.

just do your best and shrug your shoulders if your boss complains because you went to the bathroom or something

yogurt is nutritous and goes down pretty fast; as does a carton of milk.

good luck Shocked

Atavistic · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:31 am Post subject: Re: 5 minute dinner break

jadarite · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:35 am Post subject:

A 30 minute break DOES NOT equal six 5 minute breaks. What exactly are your hours? I have classes where students don't come right when it starts. If you like your school and there aren't any other issues, I would ask the school owner if you could eat at times when students aren't in class early on. For example, you might eat at 11:55-12:10 (only 15 minutes) one day, and maybe the next 1:55-2:10 or at the half hour (12:25-12:40).

You might not have the same break time, but you should definitely be given more time than 5 minutes. 15 minimum.

maingman · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Location: left Korea

I havent checked my contract ... but dont have any more than 25-30 mins maybe less for lunch!

the co - teachers at my school seem to have 15-20 mins

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

If you're working say 4-8pm and only get a five-minute break it's not such a big deal, but if that's in the middle of an eight-hour shift I'd bring the boss a copy of the Labour Act and have a frank discussion about schedules.