Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ieatsmurfs6]

I work for a GEPIK High School and I'm supposed to be heading back to the US in the end of July and returning in the middle of August. It's been a pain in the butt to get this far...

At first, my principal said no to me going home. He didn't understand why I wanted to go home between contracts (I renewed) but made it clear that he'd have none of it. That wasn't a big deal, as it was in the contract and he eventually caved. Then there was the fact that I thought they were paying for it, then they told me at the last minute that I had to pay for the ticket... So I did. I think they're going to reimburse me but it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't.

It was really hard to get tickets on such short notice. I bought them a few weeks ago and the travel agency I went through said I was lucky any of it was possible. Then, after that, the school said my vacation was two days too long and that I needed to change it. I had shown them my itinerary before I bought it, they said it was okay, so I bought the ticket and then they wanted me to change it.

It was a big stink but I did change it. The ticket was suitable then.

Now, a week and a half before I fly out, they're asking me again to make the ticket one week shorter. Without any warning whatsoever. They're saying that it's because of Swine Flu, and that since many foreigners have been bringing it back to Korea (!?) I need to be in Korea a whole week before my first work day just to be safe.

I told them that I simply can not change the flight ticket at this point, it's already way past the deadline by which I can change it. So they told me to cancel it and not go home.

I'm uber pissed. I really want to go home as I didn't last year and haven't been back to see my family for two years. Usually things go pretty well at my school but this is beyond unacceptable. I told them that if I had to spend a week at home, I'd work Saturdays to make up for it. The principal said no. I guess it's coming from higher up, though.

Is there ANYTHING I can do to get out of this situation? I just want to GO HOME. Jesus. If I would've known this would happen, I would not have renewed with GEPIK...

[Elvis Gratton]

Wow - that really sucks. So you'll have to come back to Korea a week early and then stay at home for a week?

[TheMeerkatLover]

If you have 2 weeks home leave, take it. It's in your contract and they can't take that away other than try to guilt you into giving it away.

Don't even think twice about it. My parents are nearing 80 and every year counts more than before. Get to know them before it's too late and your boss couldn't care less about you.

Meerkat

[poet13]

Take your vacation.

[ekul]

I just found out from my gf and some friends that the elementary schools in our area (GEPIK) have told foreign teachers they must be back in the country one week before term starts. It's no good for us because we are coming back the Sunday before schools starts. I told her we should just stay and tell them we arrived back but apparently her school says all teachers need to come and sign in the Monday before schools starts.

This was an office of education decision for the Gwangju/Hanam area. I'm at a middle school and haven't heard anything along these lines yet. I've told my gf we should go and just plead ignorance that we couldn't change the flight or something. I don't think they would want to sack us and if they do, apart from being 2 months from severance I couldn't give two hoots. School has been great apart from when you want to go on holiday. Holidays are the major incentive with this job and type of work so if they are going to screw us over then there is really no point in staying (we were going to renew in October).

[JBomb]

exactly. It is your time. Not theirs. *beep* em.

[Rusty Shackleford]

It seems like your school is screwing you around a lot. I would recommend take your vacation as planned and be ready to quit slash be fired. It will more likely turn out in your favor if you act decisively.

[PamPhi]

1) They owe you the two weeks anyway as a re signing bonus.
2) They owe you the flight home as a re signing bonus.
3) The bonus time is set aside specifically so that you can return home to see your family.
4) The school does not have the right to tell you when to be back from said vacation. What is the point of you coming back a week early exactly? You come home and sit on your butt, or does the Korean government keep you in quarantine for a week?

You do not have to change a thing. If you are taking the days at the agreed upon time. You are entitled to the time. They also are not required to pay you up front, they reimburse you after the trip

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

*beep* 'em. Overseas holidaying KTs won't be putting themselves in quarantine. What nonsense. It's a control attempt, not a public health issue.

[ekul]

[oldfatfarang]

OP. I hear you.

I had my extended vacation overseas approved - then cancelled - twice. In the end I told them to stick the job - and I asked to get my contract re-newal withdrawn. It cost me flight cancellation fees (school didn't offer to pay them, of course), and my school has scheduled 'baby sitting' classes in alternate weeks (so I can't go overseas on the sly). Thankfully, I don't have to desk warm in the off weeks - but, it gets worse - I've been told I'm confined to my rural rice-ville town (as the POE are going to do school 'checks').

However, you're in a better situation. Your contract says that because you've re-newed, you're legally entitled to a 2 week holiday - plus salary - plus airfares. If your school denies you this - then you can tell them that "Their face will be red for 10 years in the labour court."

Good luck. And have a wonderful holiday at home.

[JJJ]

Screw that, they approved it, signed off on it, it's a done deal. If they decided to install this "new" rule all of a sudden then....they have to either allow you to stay home with pay for a week (letting you use your sick days) or pay for any ticket changes that occur.

Darn it, you paid for the whole thing already, yourself. And now this. They had no part in booking or paying for it, so they have no say on when you should take your holiday.

If you did decide to change this ticket, take someone with the school credit card and get them to change the ticket, pay for it and give you your money back. I wouldn't do it for less.

If they won't let you use sick days, then go home as scheduled, and take an unpaid week off. F the money, f the school and chill. And don't be nice the rest of the year.

What is this over-reaction all about?? Everyone, yes even the K's, have to fill out a form and get their temperature taken just after they leave the plane. If you make it through, your in the clear.

Good luck....Seriously. And get home to see your family.

[vegemite99]

I had the same problem with GEPIK. Bottom line is, they cant make you cut your holiday time. They might make you do 7 days quarantine on return but this is NOT part of your holiday time and must be paid. If you have any probs, give Dain Bae a call!! This is the info sent to schools from GEPIK.. Sounds like your school are just being unreasonable like mine. I ended up scoring 3 days extra vacation time for 'quarantine' purposes. Good luck

[ekul]

Does anyone know the name and have a contact number for the elementary version of Dain Bae?

[nathanrutledge]

My co teacher came to me last week with the same line - "Uh, the principal says you need to be back a week earlier because of swine flue."

Just stick to your guns. I didn't use vacation lat year, have a ton racked up, I'm going home. Already bought the tickets AFTER getting it approved, made my plans to go camping in Yellowstone for a while, relax with my father... No way am I changing it.

Once I promised my coteacher that I wouldn't get swine flu, she said she'd tell the principal and it was fine. So just promise and you'll be golden!

On a side note, I do have plans to get a lot of pictures with pigs, eating bacon, etc...