Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bama]

Here's the situation: I have been here almost a year. I really like my school, my job and my boss. My boss offered me another year here, I said that would be great, but I want to go home at Thanksgiving to see my family and friends (my contract ends November 17). Thanksgiving is a huge deal for me, involving a group of families who have been having our own Thanskgiving for 37 years. So, I asked for two weeks.

Today my boss said it would be too difficult to get a part-time teacher for that time, so I have a week to make my decision. I really want to go back home! Any advice?

[oskinny1]

What does your contract say about renewing? Is there something about getting a couple weeks off and a round trip ticket?

[OculisOrbis]

If you want to continue working for for that employer, dont take two weeks. You could offer a week or 10 days as a compromise. Two weekends and a mon - fri is 9 days, but your boss only loses your for 5 teaching days.....and isnt Thanksgiving a one day holiday? A long weekend is all anyone normally has time for celebrating; they have to work, too.

If you insist on two weeks and your boss is inflexible, start looking for a new job now so you have something to come back to - you can also take more than two weeks that way if you want.

[Bama]

Thanks for the advice. I will try to see about just taking a long weekend.

[CentralCali]

Thanksgiving is a one-day holiday; however, most places, including many government entities, grant Thursday through Sunday off, making it a four-day holiday.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Doubt your boss would want to shut down his school for a week to accomodate your homesickness. Let alone two weeks. There isn't a teacher cookie jar that he can reach into and pull out a suitable sub that will make paying customers ever so happy that there's teacher juggling goin on. Paying customers here are quirky like that. As soon as they perceive something is wrong in their eyes, they all talk about it, create some drama and jump ship. Makes them feel alive. You can equate that to watching dramas on TV and acting out what they see in them in their daily lives which makes them feel important and/or eating live shrimp or boshintang which gives them a feeling of power.

Jumpity, jumpity.

[Murakano]

It`s rare that I would agree with a hagwon boss on most issues but if I would on this one.

Thanksgiving is a big tradition for many people but we don`t all go home. It`s an American holiday. This is Korea. You knew the deal when you signed your contract so don`t whine about your boss not allowing you to leave for this 2 week holiday that you were initially after. I`m sure you knew it would come to this.....you should have negotiated it into the contract when you signed it last year.

Saying that, hopefully if you`re on good terms with your boss you can come to some sort of amicable agreement.

[drunkenfud]

I disagree with the posters above. However I work in a PS rather than a hagwon so I'm probably not seeing the situation clearly.

Assuming you have done a good job during the past year, and the parents and management want you to come back for a second year, why would they begrudge you some time with your family? If your boss spins it along the lines of "Thanksgiving is a very important time for American families, it's a bit like (insert name of Korean festival here). Bama is a good man and he loves his family, he needs to see them for this important festival. It's inconvenient, but if we let him go home for two weeks, he'll be with us for another 52. Or, we could take our chances with a new teacher. You've read the news. You've seen the documentaries. If the new teacher loves kids because they're 'all pink on the inside', has a loyalty card with Jinro, arrives with a backpack full of finest Mary Jane, and spends his free time seeking medication to stop his HIV turning into full-blown AIDS... Well, let's just say we'd all wish we had stuck with good old Bama." I'm sure the parents would understand.

EDIT - Got the OP's name wrong

[highdials5]

[Boodleheimer]

if you like the job, stay.

it's just thanksgiving. it happens every year. there's always next year to see your family. get together with some friends and have a nice meal. skype your folks (with webcam).

OR if you really can't handle being away from home, go back and be ready to start all over again if you really want to come back to korea.

[drunkenfud]

No. And I'm very happy about that

My advice probably sucks. Still, if it's the end of your contract and the parents want you to renew, surely there are arguements your boss could use. Leaving aside my fanciful examples, how about "All public school contracts allow the teacher a 2 week break at the end. To stay competative, and to attract the best teachers, we must do the same".

[storysinger81]

If they won't let you go, find another job starting a couple weeks after this one and go home for the two weeks. Family is too important.

[raclos234]

[Mr. BlackCat]

Hogwan jobs are a dime a dozen, family is really all you've got at the end of the day. Don't let others shame you into thinking this is just 'homesickness' and you're being unreasonable. It's not unreasonable to want to see your family at least once a year. Trust me, something horrible can happen at anytime and then you'll be kicking yourself for choosing a near minimum paying job over your loved ones. So your boss thinks it's simpler to find a total replacement than be a bit human and let his employee see his family? Fine, let him.

I remember reading several books about how Koreans love their families more than we do....

[ThingsComeAround]

It's your life.
Which is more important to you? Work or Family