Korean Job Discussion Forums

[politica]

How do you go to the bank, immigration, and other offices that are only open during the day?

I've been here for over a year now, and my school has been pretty generous with just letting me leave early on Friday afternoon when I have business to take care of. Usually, if its just a bill to pay, I'll run out over lunch and come back in less than 15 minutes.

Well, today my coteacher dropped a bomb that apparently everytime I've left early has counted as vacation time, and now I've used up a whole day. I'm a little pissed that I'm just now finding this out. But now I'm curious to know how its done at other public schools.

Thanks,
politica

[afsjesse]

That's bogus and I wouldn't teach another class until you get a meeting with the Principal and VP to clear this issue up. Tell them they should have notified you of this and that this is a clear violation of your contract and that you will not tolerate it.

Stand your ground otherwise they will keep purging you in the behind for the rest of your time here. Take it from me!

[prideofidaho]

Unofficial leave. It shouldn't be counted as vacation

[Ramen]

Use your sick leave and take the whole day off. That way, you don't use up your vacation.

[harlowethrombey]

I leave just about every day. Sometimes I walk out to get lunch, sometimes I need to go to the bank, the post office or to the store to buy something for class. You know, exactly like any of the other teachers can.

I appreciate the fact that my school doesnt give me a hard time, but I let my handler know, early, that getting outside and away from work for even a little while helps me stay sane in a building where there are 1,700 koreans and 1 me.

Besides, its not like I can jump in my car and run around town on Saturday mornings to get my errands done.

If they want to play that card with you then tell them it will affect your decision to re-sign with the school.

[politica]

Can anyone specify for me where specifically it says this in the contract? My school might buy the sick day thing for today (I have to go to the bank and immi), but that won't work for the past. What is this unofficial leave? Is it paid? I think that's the issue at hand . . .

[davehere22]

its just normal

you should be let go to the bank

two of the public schools iv been at have had no problem with that ever

not just for the bank

if they allowed you to leave then it cant be put in as holidays or even sick days

[Dodgy Al]

Doesn't vacation time need to be signed off by you and the vp before it is taken? If there are no signatures then that time was never taken. Stand up to them.

[prideofidaho]

Politica,

SMOE has a handbook dealing with all of these issues and it is separate from the contract. Your school should have a copy. Also, the Korean teachers likely do the same thing (go to the bank, doctor, etc).

[Chamchiman]

[Countrygirl]

I think that the school is technically allowed to do this but I believe most schools don't...not if they want the foreign teacher to renew. My husband pays for bills online so I don't need to leave for these things but if me or my kids need to go to the doctor, my co-teacher doesn't care if I leave early and I don't get penalized sick days or holidays. She's not telling anyone either.

But the head teacher, who is my handler, will make me take a holiday when noone is at school (the Monday before Children's Day, for example). I didn't make a big deal about it because my co-teacher gave me an extra day off during the holidays and I just didn't have the energy to fight the Principal on this. I was planning on taking a sick day, though, when this first happened, to make myself feel better.

If you haven't fought admin too much about other things then I'd fight them on this. From your other posts, it sounds like your co-teacher is the one nitpicking about these things (but maybe I'm wrong.) Probably the Principal or VP will understand and agree with you. At my school all the teachers have sports day or go to a movie which I'm not invited to because I do so many afterschool classes. I'd mention this if your situation is the same.

If you couldn't be bothered to fight this, then just take a sick day to balance it out.

[egrog1717]

According to "The Book" (as was mentioned by a previous poster... I keep a copy in my desk, lol)

Article 8.2 - "NSET's work hours usually follow the normal work hours of Korean government civil servants. However, such work hours may be adjusted by the Principal as he/she deems appropiate".

Article 10.2 - "In case of emergencies, tardies, absences, unofficial leaves, and official trips, you must call your co-teacher/ vice principal ahead of time".

Nothing about being forced to use vacation days to take "unofficial leave"...

Anytime I have to go and do something, I'll run out on my lunch hour and do it then... If I don't have a class the following period and I'm a few minutes late no one has ever said anything (and I could tell them I was back on the school grounds talking to students so who are they to know anyway?)
As for big things - trips to Immigration, Health Check, etc... Those are counted as "Official Leave" and written in my attendance book.

As other posters have said, if it gets bad just tell them you're taking half a sick day and go home at lunch

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[nathanrutledge]

I know that with GEPIK, in the last booklet they handed out, it was addressed. I would quote it for you, but I left my book at home, however, it says that natives can leave the school for personal business when they aren't teaching a class, no vacation or sick days or any of that crap. I personally duck out and grab a sandwich or a Coke a few times a week. Just yesterday I was walking out and who was coming towards me, none other than our hard nosed headteacher, who had also sneaked out for a sandwich. As long as you are getting your work done and not missing classes, GEPIK says its okay.

[politica]

It'd be awesome if someone had a link to this handbook . . .