Korean Job Discussion Forums

Stalin84 · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Location: Haebangchon, Seoul

I've been deskwarming since December. I had a week of winter camp or so in January until students stopped showing up but I still needed to be at work for the entire day on camp days. I haven't really had a day "off" since sometime in December as I've had to deskwarm every single day so far this year. I haven't taught a class of any sort, excluding a few winter camp classes, since December. The school hasn't needed me for anything at all other than camps this year.

I'm leaving Korea at the end of the month to go to Japan and work there. I have some very important things that need doing between now and the time I leave, such as exchanging my COE with a Visa at the embassy (this will take the whole day), selling my motorbike (the buyer is only free while I'm at work), going to Ansan to pick up my Canadian driver's license (again, during work hours).

Yet I'm required to deskwarm every single day until I leave the country. I asked the school for a few days off this month and they said no, "you must come in every single weekday." I might be able to do some of this stuff if I didn't have to be here at 8:10 every morning but unfortunately I do.

I don't have any vacation days left as I used them all last summer to go to Canada.

What would you do?

wings · Joined: 09 Nov 2006

I would call in sick for 2 days and use that time to get things done.

dirving · Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: South Korea

Hi,

Ask the Principal for Unpaid Leave. If she/he refuses to give you time off without pay, then go to the education office and ask the co-ordinator for her/his help with this matter.

DI

Stalin84 · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Location: Haebangchon, Seoul

I just don't understand why it's such a big deal. If I was teaching regular classes then I would totally understand--but as it is I just come into work and sit on my laptop all day long doing absolutely nothing.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

This is why you need to keep a few sick days unused.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Your school is power-tripping on you. They are trying to show you how powerful they are, they can force you to sit there every single day.

Call in sick, get your things in order.

They are being ridiculous, but that is normal for Korea.

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

Just say you won't be coming in that day and if they want to dock your pay that is their prerogative. As long as you aren't gone for more than three days (make sure you check this though, your contract may be different), they can't fire you.

Your school is being totally unreasonable and petty. Make sure they know this.

ramen209 · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

public schools usually allow the teachers to take "early leave" a few days a month to handle banking, etc. with permission from the vice principals.

Ask and they should let you have a half day to do this!

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Tell them you are going out to buy some going away present for them and bring back some pencils. Razz

dirving · Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: South Korea

Excellent!! Laughing

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

Hightop · Joined: 11 Jun 2003

conrad2 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009

stevieg4ever · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Location: London, England

You should ask your provinicial education office.

If this fails then you should go to your regional office and specifically the co-ordinator [assuming they speak English].

I don't want to sound a pessimist but op to all the people saying that 'your contract says x, your contract says y' keep in mind that this is Korea and they can and will remove you if they should choose to.

I would be very careful about calling in sick because they check up on you. I have heard that numerous times before especially on this board.

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009