Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Milwaukiedave]

Alright, here is my situation...I work at a public school in Incheon. My father-in-law was diagnosed with intenstinal cancer a few weeks ago. I really like my school and they treat me well.

My father-in-law's surgery is tomorrow in Ilsan (there is a special cancer hospital there). When we first found out a few weeks ago, I talked to the school.

At the time, based on my contract the only thing I could do is take early leave (come in around 9am and then leave after an hour or so) which would have been fine. However, just before we found out I signed a promise to teach four teacher classes a week (M/Th is one class and Tu/Fr is the other class.) in exchange for overtime.

When we finally found out the surgery date, I told my wife I couldn't go, but I would visit on the weekend. She called me today and pressed me to go to the hospital tomorrow. I went back to the English coordinator (who I get along with very well) and talk to her. She is leery about changing the class times since the course just began. The teachers had to pay to take this as the school had no money for it. I feel strongly about my obligation to them, but at the same time I don't want to let the family down.

If anyone has advice I'd appreciate it. (if you can't be constructive, please don't bother to respond).

[xtchr]

Sorry to hear of your plight, an awful situation for you to be in.

My thoughts;
I can understand your wife's wish for you to be there with her at the hospital, but I have to say that on the day of surgery itself there is not actually much you can do, other than sit around and worry.
I'm not sure how rough the surgery and recovery will be, although I'm guessing it's pretty intensive. My brother had a brain tumour removed a few years back, and it wasn't until a few days after the surgery that he was well enough to appreciate visitors. Even then we could only see him for a few minutes at a time, because it was just too tiring for him, and he needed lots of rest to recover.

But having said that, do whatever you need to do for your family's sake, jobs can wait.

[Ekuboko]

Is it possible for you to call each of the teachers who have signed up for your class, explain the situation and ask that the class dates be changed slightly? I am sure they would understand, and would also appreciate that you took the time to contact them individually.

[DHC]

Your family should come first and this is a BIG thing for your wife and her family. If you have an F-2 visa there is nothing anyone can do except fire you. Problems created within your family by not going could be much worse.