Korean Job Discussion Forums

lex3 · Joined: 14 Sep 2010

I have a great job with a public school and I'm bummed I have to leave, but I have an interview for my top choice graduate school back home and I can't miss it. That is not what I need advice about, so please don't tell me to stay. I've thought about it a lot, and that decision is made. I have other interviews that will probably extend through late Jan/Feb, so I doubt my school will want me back if I need to take that much time off (if they do, great. I'll definitely offer to come back).

My question arises about how to tell them and what I can expect the repercussions will be. I have to leave in just over a month. My GEPIK contract says I have to give 30 days notice if I want to quit, so I have to tell them soon (this week). I am planning on leaving at the end of the December, when the kids go on their winter holiday. Since I have been here less than 6 months, I know I have to pay back my flight and my 300,000 won settlement allowance (ouch). So my questions are:

1) What about my 900,000 won security deposit. I feel like I should get that back, since I am following the contract and leaving my apartment in good shape. What do you think?
2) I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that I get paid on a prorated basis according to how many days of the month I work. True or false?
3) Can I collect my (small) pension money?
4) What is the best way/day to tell them? Any techniques for smoothing this out?
5) Am I guaranteed 30 days? Or could they decide to let me go sooner?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

1. You should get that back but some schools tend to treat the deposit as a penalty. Call the liaison officer (?) if that should happen.

2. I believe your contract should state this...that you get paid on a prorated basis.

3. Yes. you can collect on pension.

4. This depends largely on your individual school and the attitudes of your co-teachers/VP/Principal. Generally speaking I doubt your explanation about the graduate school will smooth things over...if you didn't tell them beforehand.

lex3 · Joined: 14 Sep 2010

Yeah, i figured they are going to be upset. One last question:

Does that 30 days notice go both ways? I mean, can they tell me to leave before the 30 days are up? I assume they won't since I would be staying until the kids go on holiday, but I am just wondering.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

If you are at all worried about not getting your security deposit back, and do not ever want to return to Korea - and you are sure you've been accepted to grad school - you could:

1) work out your incoming flight to Korea & your unpaid utilities
2) deduct the 900,000 won security deposit
3) pay the school all monies owed on your next payday
4) Leave Korea after your payday.

You won't get a reference. You will be unpopular, but you will not leave Korea being owed any money. Not to sure if this strategy will get you your pension back though.

Good luck at grad school.

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

If you have to give a 30 day notice, then working 31 or more while they get a replacement is at least a sign you are willing to work with them. So pose the problem to them this way, "I need to continue my studies and was just accepted to yadda yadda graduate program back in the states (or wherever it is). This is my 30 day notice, but I don't start until (start time - 1 month at least). This should give you plenty of time to find a replacement. I really enjoy working here and will help you in any way to get a replacement."

lex3 · Joined: 14 Sep 2010

sara210 · Joined: 20 Jul 2009

I also have to do this, but at the end of May! So I'd be really grateful if you could update on the situation and let us know! Smile

ninerfan36 · Joined: 01 Sep 2010

[quote="sara210"]I also have to do this, but at the end of May! So I'd be really grateful if you could update on the situation and let us know! Smile

[/quote]

will do. wish me luck. I'm going to tell them Thursday, and make sure we are on the same page about the 900,000 won. This is not going to be fun

sara210 · Joined: 20 Jul 2009

Thanks! Good luck! I had a job get offered to me that starts in June, and I just can't turn it down.

To be honest I was going to lie and say someone is sick, Iknow its a bad lie, but I feel like they can relate to family ties more as a reason to go.

If your school has been good with money and stuff to date then I can't see any reason for them to screw you over now, especially if you offer to work 5 or 6 weeks past.

I don't know about cancelling on you within the 30 days, I guess if they told you to go, you'd just have to. Legal or not, your life would be hell. But I think if you approach it in the right way i.e desperately sorry then you might be ok.

They shouldn't take anything for your recruiting fee. Actually most recruiters will offer a replacement for free if someone quits within 6 months, so it might not even cost them any more money to get a new teacher.

southernman · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

cert43 · Joined: 17 Jun 2010

What is it in?

Stanford offers Masters Degrees' via distance learning.

lex3 · Joined: 14 Sep 2010

wow. update:

So I just told my school, straight up, that I was interviewing for medical schools in the United States. My interview came much earlier than I expected at one of my top choice schools, and I would basically have to leave once the kids go on winter holiday (my interview was actually much earlier than that, but I got it pushed back until then). I will have to be home for an indefinite period of time. I would probably be done in February, before second semester began, but I can't guarantee that. And you know what their response was? "OK".

They said I have 18 vacation days left and after that it would be unpaid leave. I assumed in the outside chance they would let me come back that it would be ALL unpaid! They also said to email them as soon as I found out my interview dates. If it extended too far into the new semester (which begins in march), they MIGHT have to start looking for a new English teacher! They told me that I was young, and that I should follow my dreams. They said it was great that I got an interview at a good school, and they hoped I got in!

Moral of the story (at least for me), just be honest. I gave them 30 days notice in case they wanted to find a new English teacher immediately, but they don't. The only downside in all this is that the other foreign language teacher at my school has to teach winter camp by herself. She is a little bummed, but she is also happy for me.

southernman · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again

Good skills!

I must admit both times I've left my jobs here in Korea, the honest approach has worked. I have also received best wishes for my future and been told that I'm welcome back anytime.

Career advancement is seen very positively, there hasn't been any form of guilt laid upon me.

Good luck with your interview