Korean Job Discussion Forums

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Yesterday I found out that my grandmother suffered a heart attack. She was really healthy so her death came as a real shock to the family. Because I was really close with my grandmother it was really important for me to go home.

I told my school what had happened and they agreed to give me 7 days. Trying to get flights at the last minute is an expensive business and finding seats back was really problematic. But I managed to find some seats to get back next sunday morning. This was fine because I decieded to work today to make up my week.

Today I get hauled into the principals' office and I have to explain how she died and how old she was etc. My grandmother was a rather proud Scot who would rather swallow razor blades than tell anyone her age so I had to spend 5 minutes explaining to him why didn't have know her age.

During the course of the conversation he wanted a copy of the death certificate before I left. I explained that would be damn near impossible to get as I couldn't get in contact with anyone back home at the moment. But I could bring in the obitury when I got back. He then informed me that the 7 days funeral leave started from the persons' death so technically it started yesterday and even though I was teaching today I should be back at school by thursday.

I had to explain that there no seats going back to Korea until next saturday unless I left before the funeral and spent 2 days in Australia. He also demanded that I give a copy of my key to the korean teacher as the school didn't have a copy of my key and they could come let me in. Given that I get back on Sunday morning that was a bit of an unreasonable ask. I asked how I was supposed to get in if my neighbors (who also have a key) aren't home when I get back. So the school is off making a copy.

He then decided out of the goodness of his heart that I would be able to stay in New Zealand but I would have to forfit two days salary as I couldnt' get back in time despite the fact that I'm working today (part of the funeral leave) and I had to sign a bit of paper saying that I agreed. And rreminded me that I should come back to Korea.

Right now I'm so upset about this whole situation. It's bad enough that I've suffered a loss and to find that the school agreed to something and then backed out really made me so upset. Also treating as totally untrustworthy despte the fact I've taught here a year just put the icing on the cake.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Im sorry to hear about your loss... your situation really sux! You should get a flight to Aussie asap, and then change airlines to go back to nz. There are heaps of flights from aussie, and lately theyve been quite cheap.

Im a kiwi too... my heart goes out to you!
Good luck

pocariboy73 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003

Sorry to hear about your loss.

the principal sounds like a real "beep"
....maybe consider changing jobs soon. I would never work for a guy like that, no matter what benefits were.

steroidmaximus · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: GangWon-Do

sorry to hear about your loss. . .

sounds like the principle is getting back at you for 'having a Korean boyfriend'. . .

desultude · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 6:22 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. Try not to take things here too seriously- you have other emotional stuff to attend to.

I find it ironic how insensitive some Koreans can be about family matters, given the belief here that family is everything. And the issue of trust is a real pain. That is the one that hurts the most, to me.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

CLG.. I am SO sorry to hear this. My sincere condolences.

I don't know what to say about the school, except: screw them.

This may be a little late, but if you know the hospital in which your grandmother is resting now, you can ask them to fax a statement of death to your airline and the airline should give you an emergency/bereavement rate, which is a lot cheaper.

They say time heals.. it does.. Take care and have a safe trip.

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

CLG,
Sorry to hear about your grandmother and also what you've had to deal with at school.
About your flights, even though they are expensive to get at last minute, airlines do have a kind of 'compassionate fare', which you should ask about.
I found out about this when my mother was dying and I had to fly from Auckland to Wellington that night. Usually the flight would've been REALLY expensive, but as I explained the reason for my frazzled state to the travel agent (TA), he said he could get me a cheaper fare as long as I sent him proof later. (I flew Qantas).
At the time I thought it was quite insensitive for the TA to ask me for a letter from the doctor confirming that my mother was indeed dying (or a death certificate), but apparently it's 'normal', so the doctor did it happily and also it means that TA has proof to show his boss/airline in question why he gave a hugely discounted fare. I just took it into the TA after I got back from the funeral.
.. I would hope that it applies to international, not just domestic flights.

Yeah, your principal is being highly insensitive, but I hope this might help you to get a lower price and/or more importantly, a flight sooner.
All the best.

traveler2005 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Sorry I hear about your grandmothers death. I can't even believe the principal, especially in a public school would treat you like that and think that you are lieing about her death. Why would any one think that? I think that is ridiculous that you have to take 2 days unpaid also. However, it seems from my experience, Koreans almost think that foreigners are just trying to screw them, and give them very little credit for coming all the way to Korea and teaching their kids English. I feel in my experience, you are just another employee. I hope everything works out, and I wouldn't come back if I were you. Or at least switch jobs.

peppermint · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:22 pm Post subject:

Explain to the travel agent what the circumstances are, and you'll be bumped to the top of the waitlists, as well as getting a big discount.

I really am sorry for both your loss and your troubles.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

That really blows how they don't trust you after working there for a year.

Tell some other staff how this made you feel. Hopefully it will get back to the director who will feel guilty as hell.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

You have my condolences, Crazylemongirl. (Times like this you wish you knew a poster's real name.)

Tzechuk's got the idea. Get the hospital to help out.

As for the school being nitwits, just concentrate on getting out of here and waste no time, energy or emotion on understanding, placating or pleasing them. This isn't about them or their (in)ability to sympathise with your situation or feelings. They're just obstacles to get around, and I hope you can do it quick.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Very sorry for your loss.

What happened at school is a shame. It isn't your fault. It is the fault of midnight runners and bailers who cooked up fake stories of family emergencies. Their bad behavior contributes to making life rougher for the rest.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Sorry to hear about your loss crazylemongirl, and pity to have it compounded with shit from you boss.

[cultural aside, feel free to ignore] As JongnoGuru pointed out, your boss' power trip is just another one of those quirks of Korean culture; that whole master\slave workplace environment. You've really got to have a thick skin and an easy going attitude to survive long in Korea.

Hope things work out for you. Take the above poster's advice and contact the airline (works better with a western airline though), they'll give you a discounted rate and bump you to the top of the qeue.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

I'd tell the principle to stick it...I don't have to explain anything or nothing to you. Do you ask korean teachers the same thing. Stick it!
And further...."this is a trip half way around the world...not across korea! It takes time! If you are so friggin' insensitive...you have no business being the principle! I'm outta here as soon as I can get a flight and I'll be back as soon as I can. Take it or leave it. And another thing...koreans going to funerals always give condolence money.....where's mine. What...I am a foreigner...so that don't count?"

I have experienced the same exact thing when my mother passed away..they tried to make me jump through hoops and this and that, etc...I told them to F^%& off. And I left as soon as I could get a flight and you know what...I came back a month later. They did call me at home a few times and asked me to please hurry and come back.

Do your thing...take care of your family situation...a job teaching ESL in korea is NOT worth anything. Family is.