Korean Job Discussion Forums

[reimund]

I'm currently working for a GEPIK public school, and I notified my principal, on Monday, July 1st, the intent to quit. I started working here on March 3, and my last working day should be August 29th.

I had some questions regarding a few issues:

1. Vacation. Before I notified my principal the intent to quit, my co-teacher and I agreed that our vacation would be the last week of July. Now that I'm quitting, the KCT is telling me that I might not get the vacation. Is this fair/true? IIRC, there was nothing about this in the contract, but please correct me if I'm wrong. If they don't give me the vacay, I'm thinking of just leaving at the last week of August, so I get a week break of my own between jobs. How would this affect question 3?

2. Settlement allowance. According to the contract, I must repay the settlement allowance if I quit before six months. Does "before six months" mean putting in my notice before six months, or actually leaving before six months? If the latter, would my last day of August 29th be before the 6 month mark or no?

3. There was also 300,000 won per month for the first three months that was used a deposit. Do I get this back? If so, how would this play out if I just left at the last week of August to take my own break (and thereby breaking the 2 month notice clause)?

4. My documents. They still have my diploma, CRC with Apostille, etc. Should I ask for it back now? I don't have much trust in my co-teacher, and the thought that she'd tamper with my documents or "accidentally" misplace them has definitely crossed my mind. But if I take the documents now, would there by any possible repercussions in terms of legality?

Any help and advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[Golem]

After one bad experience I must admit I am a cynic and expect the worst. I would get the documents you need back as soon as possible. Do your best not to piss them off. You can't be certain you will get your housing deposit back although they are far less likely to hold onto or otherwise mishandle your documents. That said, in the future ask for those documents back as soon as you have your Alien registration card.

[Golem]

If you have trouble sometimes it is helpful to call the Seoul Help Center for foreigners. I have the name slightly off but if you google it you can get their number. They can point you to valuable resources and guidance on many topics.

[xtchr]

[reimund]

Will do. Does anyone else have insight on the vacation and deposit issues?

[JJJ]

Not with GEPIK but SMOE, however the contracts are similar.

Vacation, you probably won't get it and why should you. I mean, in Canada, you have to work 6 months before you can take holidays and the same here.

Settlement allowance, I think we only got 300,000 won but who cares about that, my concern would be...do you have to pay for the flight that got you here?? We have to, if we quit before 6 months. Better check to see if you do.

Deposit, no idea but I would think so, as long as all your bills are paid.

Paperwork...sorry but damn, get that shite back now. It's yours. You worked hard to get some of that stuff. Give anyone who asks for it, a photocopy in the future. Please promise me you will never give your passport to anyone. It doesn't even really belong to us.

Good luck in your future.

[CentralCali]

Six months refers to time worked; i.e., time into the contract. Giving notice at 5 months and working another 30 days does not mean that you only worked 5 months.