Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HoldenOversoul]

Hello,

My girlfriend is visiting for the entire month of May and we would like to go to Jeju Island at some point. Ideally, I want to just call in sick with a fever on either a Friday or a Monday so we can have a full two days there. Unfortunately, my contract has no mention of any sick days. My school is really small with only 3 full-time teachers and 1 part time teachers. There are only two foreign teachers, myself included. The other foreign teacher, who is on his second contract with the school actually took a day off a couple months ago, but it was a Tuesday. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays all four school rooms are used and there really isn't a backup teacher to handle my classes. Two other important detals: My employer has had to sit me down recently because the parents of three students complained because I yelled at them for being bad. The school's owner has been saying business is really bad so he can't afford to lose more students. Secondly, I would be vacationing several days past by 6 month point - which in my contract marks the point where I cannot be fired for any bullshit or have to repay my ticket out to korea.

Question: What should I do? Any advice or recommendations? I'm 90% sure that I am going even if it means I would lose my job... but is that really at stake? A friend of mine who's been here for two years said that they owner may show up at my apartment or try to convince me to come in.

Thanks in advance

[northway]

They very well may show up at your door looking for you. Personally, I'd explain the situation and tell them that I needed the day off, but my school is really reasonable about such things.

[cincynate]

You're going to Love Jeju! Just tell your boss you were at the pharmacy when he came to find you. My principal showed up at my door to 'make sure I was ok'. I was genuinely sick though.

[DaHu]

This board is full of people who use sick days for long weekends.

They're frequently complaining about being fired.

[nathanrutledge]

Be a man - live up to your responsibilities. You wanted the day off, you should have asked for the day off. You're going to stick it to your coworkers so you can go to Jeju? I'd can you if I found out.

[Ramen]

if you had to ask that question on an open forum, i'd fire you myself.

[carpetdope]

Yeah, its a bit indiscrete asking here, but on the other hand, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

[Zackback]

In May?
Well May 5th a holiday falls on a Thursday and May 10th another holiday falls on a Tuesday.

I'd take either Friday the 6th off so you can have a great 4 day weekend or Monday the 9th off (4 day weekend as well).
Why not just call in sick both Friday and Monday? This way you can have an awesome 6 days off?
I love planning these kinds of things.....for others of course

[lifeinkorea]

This seems like an obvious choice to me. You have to work Friday, but see if you can reschedule so the work day ends early.

The reason to not work Monday is that the school won't do anything on Saturday or Sunday to find you. They won't know you are in Jeju. If you let the cat out the bag Friday, then there are 2 days of either you ignoring them or them hassling you on the phone.

Go in Tuesday and say you went to the hospital on Monday. At worst, it's one day of no pay. You have a guaranteed 2 days and third day to get back.

[nobbyken]

Option 1-
Look for flights that arrive on Friday evening and return early on Monday morning.

Option 2-
Ask for a days unpaid leave.

Option 3-
Take a shorter but well-planned break to Jeju.

Getting paid to work, but not working is very similar to working, but not getting paid for it. Owners who fail to pay for work done get slaughtered, while it seems reasonable to take unearned money from them.

[HoldenOversoul]

[Mr. Peabody]

[HoldenOversoul]

I have ten vacation days in my contract. I got three for xmas. Are sick days included in these vacation days and it just isn't noted?

[northway]

[nathanrutledge]