Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KYC]

I have 7 vacation days left and would like to use it to finish my contract early. There's no school or camps during this time.

I haven't told my school yet mainly because my new ct is somewhat of a pain in my ass. Ever since I expressed no interest to renew, I have been given the cold shoulders. He's also a very vindictive person that likes to spread rumors like wildfire. I'm sure there are some about me circulating since so many teachers and parents have asked my office mate when I'll be leaving.

I expect him to put up a fight and not allow it or not pay for my return ticket. I'll be working somewhere else (in Korea) and he knows this because they called the school for a reference.

Has anyone successfully done this without problems? Hopefully in GEPIK? I emailed Wenise but she's out of the office right now.

[fromtheuk]

My current co-teacher recently suggested (while angry) if somebody called her for a reference, it would be bad. Based on advice from this board, if I change school next year through a recruiter, I will give them the vice principal's no.

Did you get the next job directly through GEPIK? If yes, contact Wenise.

I empathize with not liking your co-teacher.

[Scouse Mouse]

It is unlikely that they will let you finish your contract early. They will come up with some crap about how you need to be in Korea when your lease expires on your housing, or some similar crap. They will also avoid paying your airfare unless you actually leave the country within 10 days of the contract ending. You could ask them to release you early, but you are setting yourself up for some bumsexing if you do that. (Put a request in writing, have them accept it, and then watch your severence dissapear!)

They can not refuse your holiday though. Request the dates in writing, and make sure they do not interfere with classes. In the letter, you should ask for confirmation in writing, or ask them to explain any refusal in writing (Just say "If these dates are not conveniant for the school, please give me written confirmation of dates that are acceptable."). If they refuse, start playing the game. If they refuse to give you a written reply, call in sick the day after they refuse. Next day in work, request it again. If they refuse, call in sick. They will get the message. You can try calling Wenise, but you will them be labelled as a trouble-causer by both sides ("we just said we need a few days before we can confirm the dates").

If they give a complete refusal of all holiday entitlement in writing, Wenise will slaughter them.

Have fun!

[KYC]

I will leave the country within 12 days of my end of my contract. 8 business/working days. Isn't that enough? Ahh this is crap. Not good news.

[Countrygirl]

The foreign teacher before me left early and there was school during that time. I don't see why you can't leave early if there is no school or camps. Nicely request your vacation days in writing and that you would like to end your contract early. Make sure you note the date that you gave it to your co-teacher and give him some time to get back to you. If he becomes unreasonable, you now have a papertrail to get people like Wenise to fight for you.

[KYC]

It's hard to get anything in writing because my current ct speaks very little english. When he has something important to tell me, he asks any of the other teachers to tell me. Ever since the cold shoulders, we haven't had any contact.

I want to leave early and still be able to collect my severance because the early departure would be considered as my paid vacation days. Such a headache. I just had a talk with him and he said there might be camp during that time....mid to late August camp?? I have a sinking feeling he's going to plan the camp at that time just so I cant do the early leave....grrr

[Zaria32]

If they refuse to let you leave early (during your vacation) and you feel that this will cause a problem with airfare, severance etc, stay, but take those last days as vacation, showing up every day, but refusing to teach, to prove that you haven't left Korea.

If they have TOLD you that they won't pay severance, airfare or something like that, use those days to go up the chain of command and if that doersn't work, Labor Board.

[poet13]

I don't think I would use the wording, "end your contract early", because some bright spark is sure to figure out that less than 12 months, and they don't have to pay severance.

[KYC]

you're right. Since they are quite limited with their English, I chose my words carefully. I just indicated that I wanted to take my vacation from x/x/xx to x/x/xx. During August, I am just seat warming. There will be no students at the school and I am expected to sit and look pretty.

[icicle]

Definitely don't use the "ending contract early" wording .. Unless you want to lose the severance ...

If necessary (and if you are going to be in the country) ... Consider taking your 7 days leave ... and then coming back on the final day of the contract ... ie working the final day of your 12 months ... There can then be no way in which they can say that you did not finish the contract ... They should then be able to pay you your final pay and severance on that final day ... and do any other last minute things ... And you won't lose out ... (I know that there have been some people in the past who had problems with taking the leave at the end of the contract and not getting paid for severance etc ... because they had left Korea)

[KYC]

[icicle]

If you work until the end of the contract ... working the last day would cover that .. then if that is included in the contract then they should pay for your return airfare ... Shouldn't they?

[Scouse Mouse]

[KYC]

My contract ends on 8/25. I have 7 vacation days so I want to finish my contract on 8/14. I will come back on 8/25 to start a new job.

My school knows I will come back to work for another employer BUT they don't known exactly when.

I want my school to provide the 1 way return ticket back to the States. My new employer WILL fly me back to Korea.

Again, my concerns are severance & if my school will provide the 1 way return ticket back to the States.

It's all very confusing..but not really! I have had friends in EPIK do the same thing. Granted, the ppl at their schools are sleazy like mine.

[Countrygirl]

Have you actually read your contract?

Article 9-3 "Home leave vacation must be taken during the vacation periods not conflicting with school schecules either just before or just after the contract year is up."

and Article 12-1 (paid leave) Paid leave may be taken at any time school is not in session, and must be approved by school principal at least 15 days in advance."

Requesting vacation doesn't seem to be an issue - just make sure you give a written request before they plan the camp (and, no, I don't think that your co-teacher's lack of English is a reasonable excuse to not submit a written request. Even Korean's with little English can read dates. And the whole point of the written request is to have proof for Wenise that your co-worker is being unreasonable.)

I know that if you renew, you will get the amount of money equivalent to a round-trip airfare even if you don't go home. My husband showed me that it is written in the Korean contract (since that is the contract that GEPIK goes by.) If you can't find something that relates to your situation, call GEPIK. But it seems to me that you are procrastinating because you are scared of your co-worker and you are making a mountain out of a molehill. Get a paper trail going then see if you have to delay the start of your next job. But seriously, you could have called Wenise and found out in 10 minutes if it was possible to get your return airfare and severence if you leave 8 days early.