Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xCustomx]

My co-teacher got a notice from GEPIK yesterday regarding winter vacation time. The notice stated the following:

Teachers must remain at work from 9-5. Do not allow teachers to leave early.

Lesson plans or research (self study) must be presented for each day of work.

Teachers in the office must take attendance to make sure the English teacher is at work.

English teachers are only allowed to take the contracted amount of vacation days. No extra vacation should be given.

[maingman]

http://www.clockingit.com/

[BreakfastInBed]

So long GEPIK. I never got many of the perks some of you had, but neither was I treated as a child. 5 days to go.

Even though it doesn't affect me, what really gets to me, apart from all the vacation stuff, is that for years they sold us on this "everything depends on your principal" regarding nearly everything, and now they have the nerve to demand that some folks pay back money, in some cases from previous contracts, because suddenly it wasn't at the principal's discretion how to spend it.

[grandpa]

Can you sign that "home study" form and do work from home?

If not, then does a Korean co-teacher have to remain at school along with the foreign teacher.

[lifeinkorea]

I wonder what they would do if you simply left town and came back a day or two before actual classes resume.

Besides not getting paid those days, firing would surely backfire for them.

[xCustomx]

[grandpa]

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

I don't really understand what they're expecting us to do, especially elementary teachers who have to use the book all the time. I guess we could make some Power Points but how long is that going to take?

[Cerberus]

[zipper]

If a school is closed during vacation and there are no classes to teach, then why is it such a big deal if schools permit their foreign teachers to stay at home? Yes, yes, yes, I know what the contract states, but let�s be reasonable, you know? Schools ought to have some discretion about what their foreign teachers can and can�t do during winter and summer time breaks; and it used to be like that up until this past year. The message that POE is sending out is that foreign teachers are inferior workers that need to be treated as such. They keep dictating the impression that we are definitely less than equal among our fellow Korean colleagues; and yes, yes, yes, I know that Korean teachers are real and certified teachers that shine brighter than some of our credentials; despite the fact that many of us have higher degrees and many more years of experience than our fellow and beloved Korean colleagues. Yes, I know�.

[br_owen]

everyone should complain to GEPIK about this. State that the vacation is a big bonus of the public school system and that we will all leave once are contracts are finished to either Hogwans or EPIK. I had 7 weeks last year, and it's one of the main reason i signed again (my Principal is cool). If no-one makes a fuss then it will be enforced. There are some things which need unified action and i think this is one of them. Do it respectfully, and simply make clear that it is not fair that it is different than what is expected of the Korean teachers.

If you have 5 minutes free, then send an e-mail, which leads me to a question...

who do we complain to?!

[I-am-me]

I guess I am lucky. My school treats me like an adult.

[blade]

Excellent; I now have a good excuse for not renewing my contract even though I signed the letter of intention to renew

[whome?]

Korea will continue to lag behind other countries in a wide range of fields until they learn simple and rudimentary practices in employer-employee relations, as well as concepts in motivations and effective use of resources.

The idea of forcing someone to show up to do 'nothing' for 8 hours a day instead of having a much happier and more dedicated employee by giving them time off is dumbfounding. This is such a simple deduction that to not come to it shows either a considerable degree of malice or an even greater degree of incompetence. Perhaps both.

[hochhasd]