Korean Job Discussion Forums

[prideofidaho]

It's called the 원어민 영어보조교사. Ask your co-teacher for it. I just did.

[TheUrbanMyth]

Not sure about other provinces...but that clause is definitely in the 2009 version of EPIK for Chungnam province.

Tardies and unofficial absences will be counted up and docked from your vacation days.

I guess they don't think that FT need to go to the bank...

As for your question OP, if it is official business like Immigration then it should NOT count towards your vacation days.

If it is PERSONAL business like banking then it does. However lunch is YOUR time and not the school's. Point that out.

.

[politica]

Yeah, I just tried to make my case and my coteacher told me that I was wrong wrong wrong. She even called some supervisor.

Apparently, here's what's going on. The head teacher told her that I am supposed to following the teacher's code of conduct, which includes docking time for early-outs. There is a clause in the handbook (I checked it), that says I am supposed to follow this code of conduct. Still, I didn't know about this.

I said that regardless of what's written, it seems unfair to me to be held to the same standard as the Korean teachers when I have regular business as a foreigner that requires me to be away, such as going to immigration and going to the bank to transfer money home.

As for today, my coteach just stormed off for violin class (don't even get me started about how she can take a violin class, but I can't go to the bank) . . . so I'm done talking to her for the day. She thinks that my immigration trip can't count as official business because I am going to replace my ARC which was stolen along with my wallet (which was clearly my fault, ha).

Anyway, someone back me up on this or give me a little more leverage. I don't know what to do, and now my coteach is pissed at me for putting up a fight.

Thanks
politica

[politica]

Yeah, I just tried to make my case and my coteacher told me that I was wrong wrong wrong. She even called some supervisor.

Apparently, here's what's going on. The head teacher told her that I am supposed to following the teacher's code of conduct, which includes docking time for early-outs. There is a clause in the handbook (I checked it), that says I am supposed to follow this code of conduct. Still, I didn't know about this.

I said that regardless of what's written, it seems unfair to me to be held to the same standard as the Korean teachers when I have regular business as a foreigner that requires me to be away, such as going to immigration and going to the bank to transfer money home.

As for today, my coteach just stormed off for violin class (don't even get me started about how she can take a violin class, but I can't go to the bank) . . . so I'm done talking to her for the day. She thinks that my immigration trip can't count as official business because I am going to replace my ARC which was stolen along with my wallet (which was clearly my fault, ha).

Anyway, someone back me up on this or give me a little more leverage. I don't know what to do, and now my coteach is pissed at me for putting up a fight.

Thanks
politica

[politica]

Yeah, I just tried to make my case and my coteacher told me that I was wrong wrong wrong. She even called some supervisor.

Apparently, here's what's going on. The head teacher told her that I am supposed to following the teacher's code of conduct, which includes docking time for early-outs. There is a clause in the handbook (I checked it), that says I am supposed to follow this code of conduct. Still, I didn't know about this.

I said that regardless of what's written, it seems unfair to me to be held to the same standard as the Korean teachers when I have regular business as a foreigner that requires me to be away, such as going to immigration and going to the bank to transfer money home.

As for today, my coteach just stormed off for violin class (don't even get me started about how she can take a violin class, but I can't go to the bank) . . . so I'm done talking to her for the day. She thinks that my immigration trip can't count as official business because I am going to replace my ARC which was stolen along with my wallet (which was clearly my fault, ha).

Anyway, someone back me up on this or give me a little more leverage. I don't know what to do, and now my coteach is pissed at me for putting up a fight.

Thanks
politica

[Ramen]

As I said, take a sick leave. Don't bother fighting for it 'cause Koreans are always right.

[ThingsComeAround]

Violin class? WhAt??? dude- you let her take the dump and put it in your sandwich. Talk to whomever is above her and bring *another* E speaking Korean. Get that stuff sorted out F-A-S-T!!

I can definitely sympathize with your situation. My school is so bureaucratic that we may not just "leave" (although the handler may ) and my co-teach is tight and she isn't bending the rules for anything. The good part is every Tues we leave for a "business trip" early but then that usually entails watching an open E class conducted entirely in K

Your co-teach will make things alot worse for you if this slides. Banking is not the same as violin class, and is usually done much quicker (not to mention much more important)

[Jammer113]

Violin class can count as continuing education. Korean elementary teachers often end up teaching classes like music classes and such. Going to the bank to send money overseas isn't work related at all. Going to immigration to get your ARC card should count as official business since you aren't even allowed to be in the country without it.

I'm pretty sure that any time I leave early, it gets counted as vacation time. It really doesn't bother me. All of the other teachers have to take holiday days to do stuff like go to the bank. And it hurts them, too. Even though Korean teachers get time off during the summer, they aren't allowed to leave the country or go on vacation except with their official holiday days.

As for going to the bank, I go to the bank on extra days off and I keep an extra 6 months of money in my american bank so that I'm never worried about having to send money any particular month. I always joke with the bank teller, because she knows that if I'm in the bank, it's because I got an extra holiday (and she didn't).

I don't see any way you can make an argument for going to the bank... but for going to immigration... ask your coteacher if she gets docked if she has to go to the provincial office of education. For you, it's essentially the same thing. You aren't legally allowed to teach unless you have your ARC card. It's required for your job, and it could get your school fined thousands of dollars.

Still, I don't think that's the big issue. 2 hours isn't worth fighting over. The big issue is all the other times you would want to leave, like going to the bank.. and I don't think you can win that fight. Nobody is going to understand why you should get preferential treatment over them.

[Zutronius]

My school lets me go early but I must come back and be there for when the work day ends for me (4:20). I'm done teaching some days at my high school at 2:10 so I have plenty of time to run my errands and get back.

[mmstyle]

I can leave when I am not teaching, no problems, whether it is the bank, for lunch, or a coffee.

If I actually leave early and know I will not be back (though so far that has only been for immi or other official stuff) my CT always takes me to the VP and principal for permission and it's always been signed off cheerfully.

On the other hand, none of the teachers at my husband's school are allowed to leave for lunch, and they always make a big deal out of any reason he has had to leave, even when it was appointments required for his ARC.

[nathanrutledge]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2057880&highlight=#2057880

I quoted the book in this other thread.

It's the new book that was handed out in December at that fun meeting at Danguk University in Seongnam. Pink cover. Ask around, you'll find one somewhere.

[nicam]

Why do they do this? What is the point? Why make everyone sit at their desks when there's nothing to do? You can only do so much lesson planning, and if the classes are going well and the kids are learning, what's the problem? It's so draining to sit here chained to the desk. We'd be much more energetic and effective in the classroom if we didn't have to sit here staring at this computer screen being policed all the while. All of us, NTs, Korean teachers, etc.

There are so many weary, overworked, and miserable teachers here, and the whole deskwarming thing just seems so counterproductive. So, why then? I just don't get it.

I always leave the grounds during school hours, whether it's to take a walk, grab an ice cream, make a phone call. Now I'm afraid they've been keeping track of my outings and docking it from my pay or vacation. It's likely they don't tell you these things in the interim, huh?

This is the kind of thing that has me counting the days until the end of the semester!

[egrog1717]

Chant with me kids!

"I am not a prisoner... I am not a prisoner... I am not a prisoner..."

Now tell your co-teacher you're going for a walk around the school and will be back in an hour (and go doing your banking stuff)

[Otherside]

Fortunatly my school lets me go without any hassles. In my case, I work in a rural area and it's almost a 1 hour trip to my bank (needless to say, I chose one of the "rarer" banks in Korea), with the banks now closing at 4pm, I need to leave as soon as my last class finishes (2:40) in order to make it there on time. I'm on my second year with my school, and if they were sticky about this, it would be a deal breaker.

Jammer, while your plan may work for you, it wouldn't work for me or many other teachers. My last "extra" holiday was in May, and my next one is in October, I can't wait 5 months to go to the bank and even if I could, it would be nice to put those days towards a nice trip or perhaps take advantage of an exchange rate movement.

I agree that going to the bank is a personal issue, however, we are living in a foreign country where for the most part, we don't speak the language and getting decent banking services is a hassle (I don't even think my bank offers online remittances to Foreigners), schools should be understanding of this, and help out...especially when it costs them nothing in terms of time, money or classes.

However, Politica, you are in an urban area? Shouldn't it be easy enough to go to the bank and sort everything out during your lunch break?

[Robot_Teacher]

I just tell my main liason co-teacher I need to go to the bank and I can go handle my business in the afternoon as most of my classes before lunch with lots of afternoon idle time. If they're trying to take vacation, they're being mean and hostile with you in an indirect manner to send you a message you're not liked nor wanted there. This is what I think. Sorry OP.