Korean Job Discussion Forums

syclick · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

I was informed today that I will be working on Buddha's Birthday. Never mind that my contract specifies that I get all national holidays off. I had concrete plans for Wednesday, and yet I was told that I had to work because:

1) We already had a holiday this month
2) They are unable to schedule a make-up day for the students
2) Other hogwons usually stay open

How about you?

Crois · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 6:41 pm Post subject:

Going to a temple maybe to celebrate with tha monks.

oneiros · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Location: Villa Straylight

None of the hogwans I've worked for have ever stayed open on Buddha's Birthday. You're getting ripped off. I'd argue it, simply because so many of the other national holidays fall on the weekend this year.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I would tell them to shove it..

If my hagwon said to work on Buddhas birthday i would say well calmly and politely, since it is a violation of my contract i would like a release letter and I will give my notice now.

It sounds like if your hagwon is making you work this day due to the lame reasons above then it sucks anyway.

I'm pretty sure that you will get the day off.

Also we miss 3(??) public holidays from now until the end of the year due to them falling on a Saturday or a Sunday so bring that up as well.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

syclick · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

ghostshadow · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

That's really messed up, your contract doesn't say that you get all holidays off (red days)? Almost every school close on red days. It's not fair for the students too because what if the family wants to go somewhere, they just lost out on a day at the school. The best thing to do would be to have the parents say something about it, but most likely it will come back to you...

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

One of the unfortunate things here is that your hagwon will probably be half empty on that day and you'll spend your holiday at work playing games. I'm sure then you'll be a bit pissed off about having to sacrifice your holiday for 'game day'.

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

I probably wouldn't throw away my bonus for it.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

You have to be paid extra if you work on a national holiday, even without overtime, I believe.

syclick · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

My hogwon is one of those places that will suck every hour they can out of you, whether or not it's in your contract. Teachers before me have complained to little avail. I work hours that are not in my contract (including some Saturdays) without overtime unless it exceeds the number of weekly hours in my contract.

Besides, when I say that the end of my contract is soon, I mean it is DAYS away...

Edit: Eeeek! I'm the only one who's voted Yes! Crying or Very sad

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

ladyandthetramp · Joined: 21 Nov 2003

I once had to work on a Saturday. The three of us teachers were pissed, as it went against our contract, so we showed up and didn't teach a thing all day. Lots of coloring, talking to each other and the like...

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I would not show up at all.

I can see his argument...that severance is juicy.

Remember this everyone... unless you are totally selfish:

Everytime you lay down to an illegal demand, it makes it harder for all of us to stand up to our bosses. Given some demands are very reasonable, and there are whiny teachers, but this one is unreasonable.