Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mastap]

I'm definitely not happy at my p.s. and have decided to quit. I may just be unlucky to have been placed at my school but based on my experience (I've had other jobs) I feel public school just isn't all it's cracked up to be. For those of you who have quit a ps job or know ppl who have, which of these options would you recommend and why?

1)do a runner
2)give 30 days notice as required in contract, citing a family member's illness requiring me to leave korea
3)give 30 days notice, citing the many reasons why I am dissatisfied w/the school

My thoughts are:
If I do #1, will they go after me/harass me in my home country?
With #2, they might ask me to show proof of such illness and/or ask me questions every day for the whole month
With #3, I'll be seen as a whiner(I am not, just believe in fairness), and co-teachers and administration will try to make my life uncomfortable while I am still there. Or, they might pretend to change things to make me stay(they don't want teachers leaving mid semester), which I don't want to do.

[Otherside]

I'd go with number 3.
It's definitly the most ethical of the list.

#1. No, they won't go after you in your home country. You will forfeit your "housing deposit" (in the case of GEPIK this is W900K so not small change). It might make coming back to Korea (as a teacher) more difficult. It's very unethical to disappear like a thief in the night and unless your school has treated you terribly I wouldn't recommend it. (Different from a Hagwon, where if you give notice there is often a list of penalty clauses in addition to them screwing you out of your last paycheck - certainly not the case with a PS).

#2. Well, atleast you give them notice and everyone saves face - but I'd never like to lie about something as serious as this (and they "might" ask for some proof...wouldn't be too hard to fake IMO). Somewhat unethical.

#3. Be perfectly honest. Granted, they might see you as a whiner. So what? Fulfull your obligations, get paid, get your deposit back and go home. At least you were honest, and perhaps they might change their attitude when the next teacher comes round. I don't know how miserable they can make your life, just work your 9-5, teach your classes and go home. Hell I'd give notice pretty soon, there's 2 long weekends in May and that will help the time go pretty fast. If they do really make an effort to change things to try keep you to stay... weigh up the situation, but if you give your notice and stand firm...you'll be back home in 30days.

[CentralCali]

If you're actually employed by the school and not at one of those after-school programs, you should try to resolve your issues with the school management by going up the "chain of command." You start with the co-teacher assigned as your so-called handler. The next people up the chain, in order, are: department head, vice principal, principal, school inspector at your district Office of Education, then the supervisor of foreign teachers at the provincial/metropolitan Office of Education. If that doesn't work, you can go to the Labor Board.

[Easter Clark]

I would cite the reasons you want to quit then tell them if they can't do anything to change things you will give your 30 days'. You never know what they might say, and at this point, they're the only ones with something to lose!

[PRagic]

NONE OF THE ABOVE. You need to set a date to leave, give them at least 30 days notice (more if you can stand it), and then LIE! When I mean lie, I mean lie like a professional con artist lie. Think of an excuse for having to go back to your home town, and stick with it.

It is not really seen as such a bad thing here. The key is to not make them lose face. If you pull option 3, you're just going to really piss some people off. They'll make leaving a real pain for you. Do option 1, and you make all foreigners look like schmucks.

So what is so bad about the job? Are you not getting paid? Are you being forced to work additional hours? Think about why you are leaving. Quitting is not a good habit to get into. "I'm not happy," and, "PSs aren't all they're cracked up to be," are not reasons to quit.

[Easter Clark]

^

But if he doesn't make the school aware of what they're doing wrong, they may never learn from their mistakes and continue to treat their FTs like crap. If it's an issue of pay or pension or something serious like that, then yes, by all means think of an out. But if it comes down to being treated unfairly, the school might not know that they're even doing anything wrong. As long as the OP approaches his colleagues tactfully, almost any personality conflict can be resolved.

PRagic, I agree with what you said about having good reasons to quit.

[spliff]

I imagine that those who quit their PS job aren't offered another.

[some waygug-in]

I imagine that those who quit public school jobs wouldn't want another.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I don't know your exact reasons for wanting to leave, but, assuming they're valid, if you don't work for SMOE, give them 30 days notice and the exact reason(s) why you're leaving. Be very polite and praise something about the principal or school in your letter, but let them know exactly what the issue is that's making you go.

If you do work for SMOE just pull a runner and send SMOE a letter explaining that you would have given 30 days notice had they been willing to give you a LOR.

[ED209]

You may be offered a transfer. If public schools or Korea ain't for you then sure go home and enjoy something else, if it's just this school and you think you may be happier elsewhere try and get a transfer. Give the board an ultimatum.

[LostinKSpace]

Just give your 30 days notice, for personal reasons, and go. Everybody is happy. Unfortunately, bosses do not like to be told what is wrong or what could be better, especially by somebody who isn't Korean. Change here comes from the top, so, I would resign for personal reasons and then quietly suggest some ways in which they can make their lives easier in relation to having a NET.

Of course this is easier said than done



Remember you should never argue with an idiot as people may not be able to see the difference.