Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zenjenny]

I'm about to head back to South Korea for my second round of teaching, and in my first contract, I had 2 weeks vacation - one week during summer and one week in winter. I assumed that this was the standard for hagwons, as all of my friends also had about the same thing. But in so many of the contracts that are being sent to me now, there is only one week, or 6 days, or even 10 days (but cannot be taken more than 3 consecutively). Is this a new thing in Korea? Or am I just being sent all the crappy jobs?

I can't even imagine working for a year without having a few breaks to get out of the country....

[minos]

I just got one

[ttompatz]

[ajosshi]

[lifeinkorea]

The school isn't going to want to give you vacation time until you have worked a few months. If there is a 6 month condition that you can't quit without paying back airfare, then simple math will show you that 2 weeks vacation time is the about the same.

For this reason, a hagwon isn't going to just give out vacation time before the half year mark (I am speaking logically, not legally here). So, it makes sense that your vacation time is not going to be much the first year. You are basically working a half year, planning when to take the vacation, and then ending that year. On top of this, you should be able to get another "vacation" at the end of the year if you renew.

I rarely do this, but other teachers I know get their school to pay for their flight home. They spend about 1-2 weeks at home, and then they return to the same hagwon and continue the year. If you look at it that way, they have 3 weeks. Plenty of time.

I suggest you talk with the hagwon and find out if they are going to do the same. You might not get the 2 weeks upfront as you expect it, but it will be there somewhere. Also, realize that hagwons are not public schools. They don't have a fixed schedule. Sometimes, they will teach during holidays, sometimes not. Sometimes they have special arrangements and days off that don't coincide with holidays or national events. These are usually free days off. Sometimes schools take an extra day off before or after a holiday. Again, these aren't planned.

If you are really looking for a block of time off, I suggest you plan more between contracts then.

[big_fella1]

[ttompatz]

1 day off for each month worked (cumulative).

.

[Ramen]

you can always negotiate your vacation days and terms prior to accepting the job.

you'd have better chance of negotiating longer and better vacation terms if you're white, female, blue eyed, slim, and purty.

[jurassic82]

Ttompatz says you are required to get 15 days vacation. Unfortunatley most hogwans won't give you this and fighting it is futile. Try and go for an after school job at a public school. The teachers that work at the one at my public school get two weeks vacation. One in the summer and one in the winter. Also, they get all the random days off that I get as well which adds up to maybe another two weeks if you add up all the three and four day weekends. Anyways stay away from hogwans. They will suck the life out of you and will usually be dicks about vacation time. Good luck with the job search.

[ttompatz]

Ttompatz doesn't say... The ministry of labor and the labor standards act says (and I quote)...

Article 60 (Annual Paid Leave)
(1) An employer shall grant 15 days' paid leave to a worker
who has registered not less than 80 percent of attendance
during one year.
(2) An employer shall grant one day's paid leave per month
to a worker whose consecutive service period is shorter than
one year, if the worker has offered work without an absence
throughout a month.

.

[SeoulNate]

According to a friend of mine working at a Korean Law firm, those days can be Saturdays, which completely negates it being a paid day off if you dont actually work Saturdays.

[jurassic82]

Ok Ttompatz you win. Relax. I don't know when you decided to claim yourself an expert on all things on this board. Anyways, more than likely you won't get the 15 days vacation time and if you try most hogwans will ignore you. Go fo the Public School job or be adamant with whatever hogwan you go with that they grant you that time. Just remember during Public Schools winter and summer vacation most hogwans will have some sort of English camp and they will require that you work during this time. Contrary to what you may hear on this board there are many jobs around and be picky when choosing a position. Remember recruiters don't get paid until you sign a contract with the school so if you don't like a position they offer you don't be afraid to throw it back until they find one for you that works. Good luck!

[some waygug-in]

The ministry of Labor may mandate all they want, but getting a hagwon owner to comply with regulations is another kettle of fish altogether.

Some hagwons promise vacation, and some even deliver on those promises.

Many however change their tune once the contract is signed.



Whether or not it's legal, most newbies don't have a clue about MOL regulations and even those that do know... don't know how to go about
making a claim. Or as happened to me, the MOL had NO one who spoke English and would not hear my case. I was in a small city and was told that I had to deal with the MOL in that city. I know there are English services in Seoul and Busan, but in Gimhae there were none. The offices in the big cities refused to deal with me..... so there your are.

Is the MOL really going to go to bat for you over a few vacation days?

You'll have to judge for yourself if it's worth fighting for.

Most shady haggie owners are betting that you won't bother.

This is why I gave up on hagwons.

[ontheway]

Nearly all hogwans give 2 weeks. If that's what you want, keep looking.

[RMNC]

I'd say 95% of the hagwon contracts I look over have 5 weekdays of vacation in the summer and 5 weekdays of vacation in the winter.