Korean Job Discussion Forums

[poet13]

I work in EPIK. Some of you have been following other threads where I have gushed about how great my job is. Well, my job is great. My school, the best. My students, none better. My co-workers, none more helpful. I have given everything I have, both in time and effort, in every way I know how. So today, some <person> from the POE came to my school and informed me that I would be working three camps in January, ending Jan 27th. OK. Then he asked me to choose which week I want off. (I have no other obligations until March 3rd as the school intimated <not officially said cause they can't> that I can skip the 4 hour graduation ceremony SO THAT I CAN SPEND THAT TIME WITH MY FAMILY). I asked what I was to do during the month of February (Jan 28 - Feb 28). I am to sit at my desk and work. What kind of work? Think about how to be a better teacher.


I truly am shocked and hurt that despite my schools desire for me to have a month plus to visit my family, some "manager" <euphemism> from an office three hours away has decreed what amounts to me, as punishment.

I am a husband and a father. My city/town knows my family (yup, that small). My school understands my commitment to my family, has recognized my commitment to my job, and has supported my absence for as much of the school break as is reasonable.

Yes, my contract says 14 days. Not ten. Fourteen. I know that's a big but, and that there are people who will say, "So, suck it up, you signed on for it."
I told my wife a little before 6pm. I finally got her to stop crying at around 9:30.

I'm now in the job market. Barring some radical change, I will submit my resignation on Dec 1st, available at the beginning of the next school year.

[ttompatz]

[sock]

Some people actually have to work; others don't. It MAY be the case that even though Mr. Big Shot declared you have to be there, when the time comes, a blind eye might be turned to your absence. Then again, maybe not.

Some people only have to go in for a few hours each day. Others have to go in and stay the whole time. Either way, the requirement to "work" does seem rather like mom's punishment of sending you to your room to think about what you've done wrong.

Some public school positions that hire independently (ie, outside of EPIK/GEPIK/etc.) will give vacation whenever the students aren't in session, but it's usually not paid vacation. Maybe you should try a university. They often will give much more time off as paid vacation.

Sorry to hear that your wife was so upset.

[No H in Wales]

<in response to Socks post>

This is what happened in my situation, i was told by someone at the POE that i have to come into school and work, even though there wasn't anything to do ...when the time came the school told me not to bother comming in and do whatever i wanted, so i had about 5 weeks off...

My advice, wait a while then talk to your co-teacher about how there is no point to comming in during the school holidays...

[poet13]

Im gonna read toms post before I continue.

You know what's great about being anonymous here.
I'm an old tough guy (high speed, shot up, and I have a bunch of holes in me to prove it), but I was near tears this afternoon.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[poet13]

ttompatz

I read the FAQ. Thank you. Nothing definitive there, but a place to start. I dont want to leave my school as I cannot imagine, as a teacher in this stage of my development, being somewhere else.
If my school is willing to "look the other way" while I go home and be a daddy, then I will continue with them. If not, then in fairness to my family, I will have to find another place of employment.

In response to "sock". From what I understand (got a buddy doin' it) that uni's do the same thing. X weeks but look the other way for the rest.
That would be great, and I know a lot of people want to head straight up to uni, but I dont' think I'm ready for uni. I'm not a good enough teacher yet.

wales. I did already talk to my co-teacher. I told him that i signed on with EPIK to have to opportunity to see my family more. Without that, I have no reason to be in EPIK. I told him that I dont' think I can continue and that for my family, I would probably resign effective the beginning of the year.

I would be interested in hearing how other people in this situation dealt with this. Quit? Negotiate? How did it turn out? Who did you actually negotiate with? Anybody?

[soviet_man]

At the end of the day, try and think about the big picture. It is sensible to put your family first.

Sure - try and work something out with the school in good faith, but if they are not flexible then that's ok, because it is only a job.

You have to remember - Korea isn't going anywhere. There will still be plenty of other jobs here next year.

[ttompatz]

[poet13]

Officially considering is a while lot better than UNofficially considering.
I will try that approach...Makes sense unless they demand that I am officially enriching my Korean culture.....which I think means drinking more and sharing cups....ewww

As far as officially bargaining time off in lieue of OT, I am already under-employed. I only teach 13 hours a week....so making up 10 hours a week AND THEN banking OT would be quite a stretch for me.

I will talk to the vice-principal tomorrow and see what happens. Will post the results then.

[Beej]

I have learned in Korea to do what you want and be deceptive about it. It's too late in your case but this is what you should have done. When they told you that you had to work, smile and say yes sir boss.
Then about one or two days into the vacation, tell them you have a family emergency: dead grandfather, sick mom. My favorite is to say "My grandfather is dead. I must go." Of course my grandfather died many years ago, but your boss' English isnt good enough to pick up the semantic difference. Now you are technically not lying.
You get enjoy your vacation. You get to keep a job you like, the school keeps a teacher it likes, the district manager doesnt lose face and cant complain. Everybody wins.
Deception is the only way to succeed and keep sane in Korea.

[poet13]

Deception may work for you, but not for me. I value my own personal ethic too much.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Hey mate, I'm really sorry to hear about that, but I have to say I'm not surprised. EPIK, like most government organisations that work with foriegners, just doesn't give a shit about individuals' lives. I'd suggest you just book and take the time off that you really deserve, and let them sack you if it's really such a big deal for them to send the waygook all over the place just for show.

[ilovebdt]

[jaderedux]