Korean Job Discussion Forums

[samcheokguy]

...if you have a health collapse and a dying relative? My grandmother is not likely to survive until the end of the year, and I haven't seen her in two years. She is also my only surviving close relative, (besides parents and siblings). She has taken a turn for the worse, and I want to go home/quit my job. It will be a MAJOR blow for the family when she passes.
...I simply want to be sure I'm home for the funeral, but I don't feel I can/should gamble about this...obviously in a case like this 30 days notice is not possible, but how understanding is Korea. I'm paying for my flight ticket etc...so what will happen?

[CentralCali]

That all depends on your boss. Grandparents are not usually considerd immediate family member for bereavement leave.

[Koveras]

My nana died in March. It was unexpected. When I got the phone call I didn't think about it, I just packed and left for home, calling my school on the way; they said my job was safe. I spent a week at home. Grandparents aren't covered by paid leave, but your contract should contain an allowance for unpaid leave. But you want to quit asap? Do it, and damn what your employers think. I wish I'd had that chance.

[blackjack]

I'm in a similar situation, My grandfather has been on deaths door for over a year. I had a wourd with my boss and explained the situation. Pretty much when he goes it will be without warning. I'll get a phone call and I will have to go. I would call him up and tell him (my boss) that i will be back in a week. He humed and harrd but said he understood. Have you tried talking with your boss?

[scorpiocandy]

This happened to me just less than a month ago. My grandmother raised me but when I said "grandmother" it somehow seemed less important until I explained our relationship.

Was unexpected or I probably would have been home too. As it was I arrived 2 hours after she died.

I was distraught to say the least and my bosses (at university so not just one person had to consent) were very good about letting me go. They offered a week, I asked for 2 and got it. Unpaid of course but i got permission within an hour nonetheless.

I've actually found that Koreans are not overly-sympathetic in cases like these but even my worst boss (who was generally shady and fired me in month 10 of my first contract) was quite understanding when I had another relative die during my first contract here.

I don't suspect you may have too many problems, especially if you're paying for own ticket etc.

Good luck and I hope you get to see her soon! I'm missing mine A LOT!

[Chris_Dixon]

lie, say its your mom?? Take the pay...

[CentralCali]

[PRagic]

Went back when my father passed away, but didn't when my grandmother passed. Each situation is different. Explain your situation to your employer and hope for some empathy.

For a parent, I say get on the plane and let the chips fall where they may. For a grandparent, unless they were the primary care giver, you experience a loss, but you go mainly to comfort your mom or dad. If you're younger, though, and are fortunate enough to not have had to suffer through the loss of a loved one previously, it can be difficult.

[samcheokguy]

There's an estate involved, worth around $100,000 and I'm an heir. Anyway, I was pretty much her closest grandson, so it is really important I go back.

[warmachinenkorea]

My great granmother passed in April. We where extremely close. I asked the school if it was ok to take the summer vacation then. They approved and my wife and I paid for the flights. I just had to work a week when I normally would have had a vacation. It was worth it and my principal and local ed office were very cool about it.

My mom called and told me her youngest brother died on Saturday. He died suddenly. She told me it wasn't important for me to come home. As everyone knew we had been back in the States a few weeks earlier and they understand. Keep in mind you go to funerals for the living not the dead.

[samcheokguy]

I've flat out resigned, called Chuncheon, and am leaving Korea the 27th or 28th, I think. Two years in the ROK, and one month, is drawing to a close. I'm actually sad now.

[Chris_Dixon]

you can always come back...