Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sulla · Joined: 17 Jan 2007

I am wondering if this is possible. My current position finishes in less than two months. However, I would like to get another job (at a Public School) instead of immediately leaving. The time off that I want is in January. I believe that most schools have winter vacation during this time. The time off that I need would be around two weeks. Any advice would be welcome.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:

Public school winter vacation runs approx. January - mid February (the exact dates vary from school to school and district to district). In most districts, you will be entitled to take half your annual, contracted holiday days during this time. Depending on where you work, this means you will have between 7 and 14 (working days) to play with.

It's highly likely they will want you to do an English Camp sometime during winter vacation. If the exact dates of your holiday are important, you could make those dates a condition of employment before signing a contract.

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

I work in a high school with another NS teacher. When he started last year, his last contract at the other school ended on Dec. 5. However, he wanted to travel before starting the next contract. The school amended the contract to state that despite the contract commencing on Dec. 6, he would receive no compensation until January 14th. It worked out great for both parties. Maybe somthing like this would work good for you too.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

My contract comes up this week and with the drop of the won I am seriously thinking of more cash. I bet they won't budge.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

While a principal has wide - almost God-like - discretionary powers, the amount of your salary is not one (unless you are hired directly by the school).

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject:

This 'timing' is perfect -

I just negotiated extra holidays with my principal. In exchange for staying 45 min. late (finnish at 5:15 instead of 4:30) to teach an advanced class (part of my 22-class total) I get 2 hrs. 'credit' toward extra holiday time i.e. four advanced classes equals one extra day of holiday during winter vacation.

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

cruisemonkey · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:18 am Post subject:

Yes, I thought it was pretty good - especially because the class is one of my twenty-two per week.

For extended work (more than eight hours per day or fourty hours per week) a 1-1 ratio is crap because you don't teach eight hours of classes per day (22 classes per week averages to 4.4 per day).

Plus, a 1-1 ratio doesn't meet the minimum required under law. The Korean Labour Standards Act states "An employer shall additionally pay fifty percent or more of the ordinary wages for extended work..." i.e. 'time-and-a-half'. It also states an employer can give leave in liew of paying additional wages.