Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ddeubel]

I have a question about my job situation. Hoping others can lend perspective/advice.

I am very satisfied with my public school job. I also do a lot of well paid extra demo lessons and teacher training workshops. Nice cash extras. Last semester I also gave teacher training classes. Been asked to do the same. Only caveat is that the district supervisor says they don't have any money for this. It would be afternoons (I only work mornings) but more than/ in addition to, my usual 22 hours/week as contracted.

I am thinking of asking for holiday time in lieu of money for the hours already worked and those to be worked this semester. I love teaching the teachers, do a bang up job but think at the end of the day I should get some compensation for these hours (will be 80+) total.

Do you think it is appropriate to ask for vacation days in lieu of pay??? A way to meet in the middle? My only other option is to say I wish to be paid my overtime rate for hours worked previous and to decline any future classes if they don't pay. thx.

DD

[peppermint]

I've heard that they 'll give vacation time in exchange for overtime in the GEPIK program, so it's worth asking, sure.

[crazylemongirl]

Very dangerous. I did something similar last year and basically had to throw a major temper tantrum in order to get my vacation. Not worth the stress.

[taekat]

Honestly if they are saying they don't have the money either they are lying or they have lost control of the budget. I have heard good and bad things about trading overtime for vacation time. I'd say don't teach the classes. I realize that it puts you in an awkward situation but you should always keep your relationship professional. If they can't pay you don't do it. I think the Native teachers in public schools should have some solidarity on this issue. I've talked to at least two friends who have done free work at their school just to stay in good standing and have found that the school keeps asking for free work. It's not worth it. I'm only saying this cause I don't think the vacation time swap is valuable because I would just end up getting bored out of my mind. You can try to the vacation time swap, it's sounds like a good idea if you have a plan for your time off.

Aaron

[mack the knife]

What kind of "good money" are you getting for overtime/extra classes? According to my contract, W20,000 is the max.

[ddeubel]

Thanks for the comments. Giving me perspective. Taekat I hear you and do conceed your point. I am leaning that way though I'd like the vacation time. It puts others in a bind and I think one BIG problem in the program(s) in Public schools, is precisely what you mentioned --- the lack of a standardized policy among schools. Pay or otherwise......... Schools should have autonomy when it comes to very specific things but with the more broad topics of pay/work time/ holidays / they should have their "****" together.

[Hater Depot]

A good number of current Gyeonggi-do contracts have a clause that specifies that overtime pay can be converted into vacation days. But as I recall it's not that hot, something like 12 hours of overtime for 1 vacation day. Anyway you might use that as an example.