Korean Job Discussion Forums

thatwhitegirl · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Location: ROK

Last week, after asking several times , we got the dates for our winter holiday (PS). Needed them to buy tickets and reserve hotels and all...you know.
And we got these dates directly from the vice principal.

Anyway, today one of the teachers comes in and tells me that they have decided to have classes for 2 days the 2nd week of Feb, and more classes on 3 other days the next week. We had already been told our holidays, so bought tickets.

Problem lies herein: those first 2 surprise back-to-school days are while we are still gone.
The teacher looked and sounded rather upset/perturbed when I was explaining it. I was very nice, and tried to be accommodating...offered to have classes some other days....

Anyway, think we are in for some big problems? We like it here and are thinking of signing for another year.

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

I think, in situations like what you described, you bat your eyes, smile and act innocent while saying, "YOU have a problem. Last week you told me this information and I made plans. How do YOU plan to solve YOUR problem?"

confused and upset · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

I hope everything works out all right for you. It would be very unfair if you lost your job over something like that.

thatwhitegirl · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Location: ROK

thanks. I do hope it works out. And the wide-eyed innocent foreigner might work. Wink

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

I keep meaning to mention that I love your little truck-really cute! Always makes me smile.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I ran into this problem EVERY YEAR while working for a high school. I just stuck to my guns and told them, "Sorry, I already purchased my tickets, and cannot cancel because you gave me the dates already."

This nearly made the foreigner adviser (between myself and the principal) have a heart attack, "But! But! The principal says! You must change the date!"

I calmly laughed and said, "I'm sorry, you already gave me the previous dates (and in fact, I'd already moved the tickets once while it was still possible), so they're booked. If the school wants to pay me the extra $500 it costs me to move the tickets, then let's talk. Otherwise, I'm going, and I guess you'll have to accept it or fire me."

In the end, I won. I always won.

Booking international flight tickets and hotel rooms is not something you easily (or cheaply) change when the principal gets a wild hair. I also knew that it's a lot more of a headache for them to replace me with another foreigner who may turn out to be really bad.

SeoulFinn · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Location: 1h from Seoul

OP, I think that you'll be just fine. It was VP who gave you those days. Enjoy your holiday!

I want to be hired by big Korean company that expects me to behave like a Korean. That would be fun! For example:

Little Boss:"Um, SeoulFinn? Where are you going?"
SeoulFinn: "Home, where else?"
LB: "But it's only 5PM and the big boss is still here!"
SF:"So? I get paid from 9-5, right?"
LB: "Yes, but..."
SF: "No butts. Am I being paid to work after 5 or not?"
LB:"No, I guess not. But in Korea..."
SF:"...you are supposed to work for nothing? Or even pretend to be working just because boss is still in the office? Most of the others are just surfing the web, playing go stop online AND looking busy."
LB:"Umm... Well... "
SF:"Did I not finish the job you gave me? It's right there on your table."
LB:"You did. I got some more work for you to do, so..."
SF:"And I will get right to it tomorrow morning, you know, 9-5?"
LB:"So if you go now you won't be drinking with us this night?"
SF:"No, I'll spend some quality time with better half. Maybe next time."
LB:"Um, you see that..."

This would probably get me fired during the 1st week, or right after the time it happened. ^^ But I think that it would still be fun as a weird experiment!

nomad-ish · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

i took no chances this vacation, i typed up a letter stating my vac dates when they were given to me, then i got my co-teacher and VP to sign on the dotted line. i'm all about the paperwork now Very Happy

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

Lostone7 · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Location: SE Asia

Happened to me

I simple sat down with a calender and the VP found a date that worked for me
said ok ill be here then see you. Have a great vacation i'll bring you a present Cool

It was finished.

thatwhitegirl · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Location: ROK

nomad-ish, you're smart to do the paperwork thing. I'll do that for the next holiday.

I have a feeling they won't fire us, because both my husband and I are at the same school, and they wouldn't want to lose both their foreign teachers!
But I'm hoping they'll resign us, and that this won't get in the way.

They have been good to us so far, and we have done everything they've asked us. So hopefully that counts for something.
(and by everything, I don't mean we bent over...just went along with dinners and trips and special events to show white faces)

nomad-ish · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

tsgarp · Joined: 01 Dec 2003

You know, in the real world, work takes precedence over vacations. People all over N. America often have to put aside vacations for unexpected work schedule conflicts but only in this looney toon land of efl nose-wipers can you find deluded self-aggrandizing imbeciles who think they should be able to shirk their duties and go off as they please.

RJjr · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Turning on a Lamp

regicide · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Location: United States

[quote="RJjr"]