Korean Job Discussion Forums

[speakyword]

Hi. When I asked about getting more than 7 days vacation in my contract, my recruiter gave me this explanation. Can someone tell me what this means? thanks

After take a look the contract again, I figured out the contract says 7 days vacation. So I asked the school if the vacation is only 7 days. But they said, 7 days vacation is separated one with school�s vacation. It�s paid day off of the teacher. The kindergarten class has 5 days summer vacation and 5 days winter vacation, and elementary class has 3 days summer vacation and 3 days winter vacation. And whole school had 4 days more vacation around Chuseok, which is the biggest national holiday, in 2009. So It�s more than 10 days vacation. But since it�s contract, the school puts just formal vacation days of the each teachers. I hope it helps you figure out about vacation. Since the other Native teachers in that school, haven�t complain about vacation, I can tell you it�s certain.

[lifeinkorea]

Vacation days can only be used when school is not in session, so it's kind of a catch 22. I have barely any vacation time in my current contract, but I have loads of time off during the year and I basically have the same time off when it comes to holidays.

[hockeyguy109]

I am really confused why people keep getting Hagwon jobs. No vacation, likely chance you'll be kicked out of your job in the 10th month. So please tell me, why?

Just get a public school job and you don't have to worry about this crap. You also get twice + the vacation.

[Goon-Yang]

OP..it sounds like you are getting ripped off. It sounds like your vacation days are national vacations. Everyone shouldget those off.

[xCustomx]

[blackjack]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[hockeyguy109]

[Juregen]

[Easter Clark]

To me it sounds like they're giving you 7 days in addition to national holidays and students' vacation.

[cincynate]

[Hamlet]

This is a perfect opportunity for you to talk to the other foreign teachers who work at the school. Tell the recruiter you don't understand exactly what he/she means, and that you would like to talk to the foreign teachers he/she mentioned.

This will allow you to get real information about he job--scheduling, pay, housing etc.--as well as allowing you to clear up the vacation days confusion.

In regards to the recruiter, he/she is definitely being shady. Everybody in this country knows that national holidays are totally separate from contractual vacation days. All he/she is doing is trying to sell you on the idea of taking fewer vacation days by mentioning the national holidays.

Anyway, just talk to the foreigners who are already there!!

[hagwonnewbie]

How to get a vacation:

E-mail your boss that your brother/sister is getting married and you have to go home. Give them several months notice.

Ideally you'll get a written response like: "Of course that's OK. Family is the most important thing in life."

Buy your ticket and remind them more as the date approaches.

A week before your vacation, he may deny ever having agreed to such a thing.

If you have something solid in writing, then you can go on vacation without any worries. Otherwise, you'll have to choose between keeping your job/apt/insurance etc. and rescheduling the vacation until your contract finishes (assuming you'll make it that long)

[lifeinkorea]

[hagwonnewbie]

It's amazing how many of my brothers and sisters have gotten married since I've been in Korea.