Korean Job Discussion Forums

david · Joined: 31 Oct 2003

I get paid on time. I work five days a week for a total of 30 hours. I have been employed by the school for seven months and inquired about using vacation days.

Two or more consecutive days off from the school is not permitted. My contract states otherwise. I'm kind of burnt out at this point and could use a few days off. Its just the nature of the work. Vacations are very much a godsend for teachers the world over. She won't give me unpaid leave.

The school is alright and the kids are good. I'm the only foreign teacher and can sympathize with my boss's circumstance. She's the daycare and someone has to staff the daycare.

No breaks from the daycare. Breaches in contract in areas other than holiday time. What would you do? Resign? Run like hell? It is Korea and I'm trying to convince myself that the culture dictates her actions. But...

What happens to schools when a teacher leaves unexpectedly? I'm a responsible adult and will try to gut it out if I'd be ruining her business.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Tell her you need some time off. What does your contract say?

Do you have holidays in it? If so tell her you want to start scheduling your vacation time.....2 weeks or so is plenty of time....you may even offer to help find a sub to fill in for you.

If not? Then suck it up for 5 more months and double check your contract next time!

ontheway · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:45 am Post subject:

If you leave the school without notice you could severely damage or destroy your boss's school. She could go bankrupt. It depends on her business and financial conditions. On the other hand, a vacation could be explained to the parents. What exactly are the terms in your contract regarding vacation? If the school is otherwise OK you should really try to work this out. Maybe you can find a substitute teacher here on Dave's to cover for your vacation time.

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

How about asking for Friday/Monday combinations off once a month? Maybe she'd go for that.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Monday, 17 July is a national holiday. Ask for the preceeding Friday and following Tuesday off. That will give you five consecutive days.

If it's any consolation I'm getting a month off this summer, though the first week of that I'll be busy as hell leading a field trip.