Korean Job Discussion Forums

kermo · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:17 pm Post subject: ...and then I burst into tears.

Had a rather emotional afternoon at work. I've been confronted with an ugly set of choices.

Here's the situation. I've been teaching at this elementary school all year, and my contract is up at the end of August. I asked to be moved to an apartment in the city, because I'm fed up with being the only native speaker in my town, and although I'm a vegetarian, I recognize only a small fraction of produce at the grocery store (the Korean women I work with don't seem to have a clue either) They declined to let me switch apartments, so I started a search for a position in town, hopefully at a college or university.

Since I haven't renewed, I don't get home leave, and I only have 7 days of vacation time left. The problem is that my ailing grandfather is visiting in the first half of August, and my sister is also going to be in my hometown for a couple weeks before moving to another country. I don't expect my grandfather to live another year, so this might be my last chance to see him. I haven't seen my sister for over a year, and we are very close. I would hate to miss this chance.

I know my school doesn't want me around for the last month of my contract, because they will have their hands full arranging for a replacement and can't be bothered to run a summer camp. I applied for unpaid leave so I could leave in early August, get back to Canada and see my family. My supervisor wanted to oblige, but was told by GEPIK/school superintendent that it wasn't possible. There's nothing in my contract forbidding this, but it's apparently against GEPIK policy.

So here are my choices. I can skip town, and give up the 2.3 million in severance pay, plus my pension (despite what Grotto says, this is what they have threatened.)

I can stay until the last week in August, and try to arrange three different trips to visit my family, my grandfather and my sister later.

I can ask them to renew my contract, and stay in my uncomfortable situation, just to get the home leave.

I have written a letter to the Superintendent asking for unpaid "Compassionate Leave". My supervisor told me "they don't like that sort of letter" but I think I have a sympathic case.

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

I don't understand what you mean by you, "... don't get home leave."

What does that mean? You finish your contract and you can do whatever you want. And get a ticket home, right?

kermo · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:40 pm Post subject:

livinginkorea · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Location: Korea, South of the border

If you renew the contract then will they let you go to see your family? Surely they should be able to give you "Compassionate Leave"?

You have 7 days of holidays left? Then if you want to stay at the school and get your bonus then you should go to see your family.

Also can't you take sick leave?

If they don't give you the vacation then I would walk out. That's just my opinion. Family is more important.

Sorry to hear about your situation. Hope that everything goes well.

kermo · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:42 pm Post subject:

I just thought of an alternative.
I could take my 7 vacation days in August, then come back and finish my contract. It would be friggin' expensive, and the flight takes around 20 hours each way, but I wouldn't be forced to give up the bonus or sign up for another year.

livinginkorea · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Location: Korea, South of the border

livinginkorea · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Location: Korea, South of the border

kermo · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:51 pm Post subject:

livinginkorea · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Location: Korea, South of the border

kermo · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:37 am Post subject:

If I take the vacation days at the beginning of August, then my flights are out-of-pocket. However, as another teacher suggested in a PM, I could buy a refundable ticket, give the school a receipt for a flight within the acceptable period of time, then get my money back.

Depending on when my next contract starts (whatever that will be) there might be time to see my friends and family (minus my sister and grandfather) again.

My heart-sickness eases a little at the thought of even a brief visit, without having to forfeit $3000+.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

lie to them Kermo

Tell them you are renewing...go home have a good vacation...come back get your bonus, your airfare and then leave if you want. You dont need their help to get your pension...they have absolutely no control over it. All you need to do is bring your old contract, passport a ticket out of the country and ARC card to the pension office and fill out the forms.

Stupid GEPIK
Stuipid KOREANS!

kermo · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:37 am Post subject:

Dispatched · Joined: 08 May 2004

If I were in that situation, I would finish the contract, get my bonus, pension and flight home then take the money and the free time I had to visit my grandfather and sister.

This way I would get to leave my school without a bad rep (which may or may not be a problem), I get my money and I am free to travel around visiting family, what a great way to unwind after a year teaching. I am then able to come back if I so choose with a good reference.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

guangho · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:24 am Post subject:

Dispatched has the right idea....don't burn bridges unless you have to. I sympathize- my grandmother has breast cancer and she is nearing 90- I'm not sure when I'd be able to visit her in Budapest and that weights on me. Any ideas if it is economically feasible to make a sort of weekend trip there? Hell, it's just on the other side of Russia.

kermo · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 10:28 am Post subject: