Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sapa]

Our contract states:

will be entitled to observe paid public holidays and receive 10 days of paid vacation during the contract term

However, our principal has scheduled them in to coincide with public holidays so our next holiday falls during the lunar new year public holiday, which I think means the Monday and Tuesday should be automatic days off not taken from our 10 days allowance.

We had 5 consecutive days off in August with one falling on the public holiday. So I'm thinking he must owe us one days holiday for then, am I right to be causing a bit of stink about this?? thanks

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Hogwon's have "principles"?

[OculisOrbis]

You're right in your interpretation, but your boss won't see it that way and good luck trying to convince him/her. If I were you, I would stand up to him/her and insist on the time. Weekends and stat holidays are not part of your paid vacation time.

Alternatively, its not as bad as some scenarios where the boss counts the weekend as part of you 5 days of entitlement. Meaning you could have gotten sat - wed and have that called five days of vacation.

I worked at a hagwon where they tried the second scenario and I said 'no way'. I also insisted on a complete mon to fri to account for my five days so that there was a weekend on either side of my vacation days.

I was the only foreigner there and took my 5 work-day vacation while the six korean teachers enjoyed what was essentially a long weekend because no one would speak up for themselves. I felt guilty for about 2 seconds on thursday when they were going back to work, then i went back to sleep and prepared to enjoy my next 4 days of free time.

Just be prepared for your work environment to decline if choose to stand up for yourself. I haven't met a korean hagwon owner/manager that didn't hold a grudge. You might not notice until the year end paid-out screw-over, but it will be there for the remaining time on your contract so be prepared.

[Allen]

My principal at a PS is trying to pull the weekend holiday/ vacation thing. My CT says it a Korean law that you must count weekends. I laughed at her.