Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rae]

My contract expires on Feb 28. Is it too early to ask about my flight home? They kinda have an idea I'm not staying (they never expected me to stay) but I know they're hoping I will. I just got a new computer (as did a couple of other teachers) and they just built a really nice English room (the nicest room in the whole school).

When should I ask about my flight home? Who usually pays for this? Are they supposed to reimburse me? I'm not going back to my home country, so I'll a little worried about this and my area takes years to do just simple things.

My contract states:
If employee works fully until the end of the Term of Employment and returns to his/her home country (or another destination which is equal to or less than the distance to his/her home) within 10 days from the expired date of the Term of Employment, employer shall pay for the employee's return flight to his/her home (or another destination which is equal to or less than the distance to his/her home) based on an economy class airfare of the most direct flight available.


It states the distance and not price. I'm going somewhere that's technically a little closer, yet more expensive. I know it'll be a headache to even explain to them so I want to figure things out before winter break. I want to book early to save some money on the flight.


Advice please.

[n�fara]

Rae,

My POE sent out an email a few/couple of months before the end of contract advising teachers that they should purchase a ticket at least a month ahead of departure day. You'll need show them the ticket (e-ticket should be fine), your flight itinerary, and possibly a receipt that shows the actual payment for the flight. They may ask to see your credit card statement if you paid via credit card to see that yes, indeed, you did purchase the ticket.

At Jeju POE they reimburse you after the contract has expired. At the same time they will give you your severence money. Since that will likely happen after you've left the country you may want to give them your home banking info, so they can transfer the money there.

So, you will pay for the flight upfront, and the POE will reimburse you.

I don't know if I'd be asking them about flights at this time, since you'll be finishing in February and that's over 5 months away. Might be a little early, but maybe not


I've not flown to a different country afterwards, so I'm not sure how that will work out. You may be able to get away with it being more expensive, since it is closer, and they only mention distance, not price.

[Rae]

n�fara, thanks for the reply!

I was hoping it would be the school that repays me instead of the POE. Considering how they deal with things, this will most definitely be interesting. I figured it's 5 months away but we only have 3 months of instruction left. But I'll take your advice about not mentioning anything ... at least until Nov.

Thanks again for the reply!

[n�fara]

No problem, Rae.

Since Jeju is a bit smaller than some provinces, maybe it's easier for the POE to deal with us all together, and not leave it to the schools.

However, it may not work the same way in all the provinces. Where do you get your pay stub from? If its from the POE, then you'll probably have to take up the flight reimbursement with them. If you receive it from your school, however, perhaps they do deal with it themselves. But the money will likely still be coming from the Provinical office, anyways.

Good luck to you!

[ED209]

Different provinces may have different procedures. Be careful, I know some people who jumped the gun a bit and bought their ticket, then were told the POE would not pay for it and they had to get a refund. The POE then requested only tickets through Korean or Asiana air be booked, then the POE would pay for it. This was to prevent people from refunding and pocketing reimbursements. Have a chat with your POE first.

[Rae]