Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwiliz · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand

I am at a public elementary school. when I started I made sure everyone knew I wanted to go home for two weeks in august. We were constantly told we would get two weeks and tht it was no problem. and I thought, being a public school, they would stick by what they said.

A week ago I was in the Office of Education with my home c-teacher and my supervisor and just after I signed the contract..and I mean just after, they told me I would only get one week, some of the elementary schools wanted their own camps as well as the city one. I said that was not acceptable. A discussion ensued between the two Koreans and then it was agreed they could changes some dates and I could go, and gave me the dates. So the next day I quickly booked my ticket (not cheap in teh school hols) and thought it was settled.

Yesterday, a full week later I am told by the Office that no I could not go, my two weeks was going to be split. And the Supervisor who was at the original descussion tried putting all the blame on my home teacher! Totally unfair.

so now I have to decide...the schools I teach at are great and I love the job abd the kids, but if I gave in and did not go back to NZ..and swallowed the cost of cancelling the flight, how will I feel about the Office of education supervisor and will I ever be able to trust anything they say?

this is the second job where I have been promised things only to have them go pear-shaped. I left the first (had not signed the contract so I could) there are other jobs out there....or is it time I gave up on Korea? Confused

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

kiwiliz · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand

I think mine says 'two weeks home leave before renewing' not resigning...dammit! Wish it did

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

formerflautist · Joined: 30 May 2006

Sorry to hear that, Liz. I know you were looking forward to going home. You did mention on Sunday that there was still a need for more teachers. Perhaps threatening to quit will shake them into doing something. Of course maybe it won't. I would only do that if you're prepared to actually quit if they don't give your vacation to you.

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

I agree. It is not reasonable to split a 2 week vacation. It takes many of us about 24 hours to get home and another 24 to get back, when you add in travel time to airports and lay-overs. It isn't like we can drive 4 hours out of Seoul and be 'home'. That just isn't the reality.

I for one enjoy my life in Korea, but it is not a vacationer's paradise. It sounds harsher than I mean it, but anywhere I go in Korea, it's still Korea. That is not a vacation to me.

We are already short-changed on vacation time in the public schools. Don't let them start dribbling what there is of it out in little pieces.

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

I am sorry for your misfortune. Next contract, no matter where you are, make sure it is tailored to meet some of your needs.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

cypher · Joined: 08 Nov 2003

ontheway · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:40 am Post subject:

resign - to quit

re-sign - to renew your contract

kiwiliz · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand

Update folks!!
and good news. I did mean that I would reign if I did not get to go and lo and behold, we have a new schedule. Actually they seem to have gone back to the original dates.
Lord knows what had to happen and what talking got done but it seems they did nto want me to resign.
I am very pleased as I enjoy the job and my co-workers and I would have hated to have to resign but I would have if I had to and they knew that I think.
many thanks for your comments and support

Very Happy