Korean Job Discussion Forums

beardigin · Joined: 20 Sep 2006

Hello,

My school has changed hands, again, fourth time in two years. I would leave but I have two more months to finish my contract.

I wanted to know if any foreign teacher would agree to work for a school that insisted on working you from 1:25pm -8:15pm with 10 min. breaks and only a 20 min. lunch break.

Although, I have told them that they are required by labor law to give us an hour break for an 8 hour day. They insist that they do not have to give the Korean teachers a break because Koreans: "Eat at noon and dinner at 9pm."

I've explained that it is more important for the next teacher as I am leaving in two months. But, like many Koreans, don't seem to understand the concept that what they are requiring of all their employees is against the law and that the law was written to protect employees from the specific abuses these employers are trying to perpetrate because: "It won't fit our schedule."

I want to take them to the labor board. Because the new boss is making all kinds of new demands and my last pay was 13 days late.

The new boss is a nice person and I have taught his son for several months, but I do not like him as a boss.

garykasparov · Joined: 27 May 2007

I wanted to know if any foreign teacher would agree to work for a school that insisted on working you from 1:25pm -8:15pm with 10 min. breaks and only a 20 min. lunch break.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Depends how much the pay was. For anything over 40k an hour I wouldn't care about only having 20mins for food.

When I first started, I was doing 8-9 classes in a row without a break...of course that was by choice because of the overtime involved. However, it was tiring. You will be amazed how preparing certain foods before hand, how much you can eat inbetween classes.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

For a while I was working 6 hours straight. My breaks were 5 minutes, after every 25 minute class. If I was organized and brought snacks from home, it was all very easy to eat dinner during the 5 minute break. Plus I could do my banking/paperwork/read books, etc during all those 5 minute breaks! You just have to be organized and make the best of it. A 20 minute break is very adequate if you don't go out to get food.

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

1.25-8.15= 6hrs 50mins they probably only owe you an extra 10mins on top the 20 you are getting, is that right? How many classes would be more important to me than how many hours without a break.

Anyway stick out your 2months hope not to get stitched up then wish them luck when they say you can't leave because they can't find a replacement..

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

I used to work 6 hours straight without any breaks, and would nearly fall asleep in the middle of my last class due to the lack of food. My classes were 90 minutes long, with a 5 minute break, but most of those 5 minutes were spent making photo copies, organizing kids, and getting them out of the hagwon. I ate once in a while in class, but the kids would get jealous and demand I give them food.

genezorm · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Mokpo

i wouldn't work a job like that it's a crap schedule and you should be getting a lunch break by law

a lot of hagwons try to pull that on the afternoon block shift working 1:30 - 8:30 with no lunch break...but it's crap

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

PaperTiger · Joined: 31 May 2005 Location: Ulaanbataar

If your workplace changed hands, then you must have had to sign another contract with your boss, since the sponsor of your visa has changed...right? I heard that was required when hagwons change owners. If so, wouldn't the contract have stated this policy?

I know coulda, woulda, shoulda...but my old boss did this and I wonder if it applies to this situation as well.

beardigin · Joined: 20 Sep 2006

Just to update,

I called the labor board this morning. They told me that the school is required to give us all a 1hr break. She told me this after I explained my schedule and the 10 minute break.

If you are having a problem with your school I would recommend calling the labor board in your region.

http://wiki.galbijim.com/Korean_Labor_Office#Western_Seoul_District_Office

I do not think I will pursue the issue further, as all the other teachers seem Ok with the schedule, and I am only here for 2 more months. I just hope the teacher who follows me doesn't have a problem.

garykasparov · Joined: 27 May 2007

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

It looks as if the OP got a positive answer from the Labor Board. Good.

Just curious: How many attended a high school with a schedule like this: 8:00-4:00 with only 5 minutes between classes and a 23-minute lunch break? I'm sure many did. I taught at one.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

You could request that extra hour as overtime.

Otherwise I think you should just bear it for 2 months. It's not that long. You can always go to classa few minutes late.

Silvara34 · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Location: Kentucky, USA currently

I went to a high school in Florida where we had class from 8-4 with 5 minutes between classes and an 18 minute lunch break because that was the minimum required by law. You get used to it I guess.

Mackj · Joined: 01 Sep 2007

I,ve just moved to Korea, and I'm working 7 hours with only two 10 minute breaks....this sounds worse than what other people have posted. Where can I find Korean legislation laws on working hours, working conditions, and....... ? The school I work for won't return my original transcripts, notorized degree, and the original contract. They also want to deduct the 'finders fee' if I quit, which is not in the contract. Can I just fly out of the country, or will immigration stop me and send me back to jail (the school)?
Mack.