Korean Job Discussion Forums

[viva]

I've just been told that I am required to work 2 days of the 3 Lunar New Year Holidays. The hogwan's reasoning is that "there are too many holidays in January, and we need to have 21 teaching days, so we will all have to work this holiday as a result".

I am definately planning on taking a stand because I have already booked a flight to Seoul (under the assumption that the 14 National Holidays my contract lists would be honored by my employer.)

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice as to how I should approach this issue with my supervisor. I want to make it clear that I am not coming to work during those National Holidays, however, I'd like to be polite about it and remain in his good books. Any suggestions?

[shawner88]

Show him the tickets. Cry.

[ryleeys]

Bludgeon the living crap out of him, then say "have a nice Solal"


I'm supposed to work on Saturday to make up for the three off days... bleh.

[Guest]

Well, only you can determine what is "polite" in your situation. I have had the same thing happen 3 times in the time I've been in Korea; a change of holidays, this or that, and I had plans all arranged well in advance. I make it very clear to them that I will not adjust my schedule. What does your contract state ? Just the number of holidays ? Enjoy your vacation if that is what your plan is. I will not deal with people who want to cut this or that after the fact, especially when plans are involved. He wants to complain about the number of national holidays ... that's not your problem, he needs to take it up with, umm, the government maybe. Every other school pretty much has the same time off. You should simply say, you already planned vacation, it's in your contract, and that he needs to simply understand. Do not show him tickets or receipts. Once you start doing that employers will demand proof of everything for anything you ever claim later.

Enjoy it, I wouldn't budge and would be willing to find a new job over such a situation; though I rarely if ever have had a vacation. You could, if desired, argue violation of the contract and labor laws. You are supported by law that you do not have to work national holidays.

Enjoy

PS - As for crying .... umm, yea, uhuh

PSS - You can only be "forced" to do what you LET people force you to do

[ulsanchris]

politely tell him that you are unavailable to teach on national holidays and that you already have plans. its probably in your contract that you get all national holidays off with pay. just double check. then show it to him.

[Mr. Pink]

Isn't it illegal to force someone to work on a national holiday?

If ya have me figured out by now, you know what I am going to say:

Well Mr. Director, there are two ways we can approach this and both ways DONT involve me being at work for those two days . . .

[Real Reality]

I was talking with a Korean company worker today. She was excited about the upcoming holiday. She said she only has to work a little next week. They will go in on Tuesday to pick up a "gift", have a meeting with co-workers, and leave a little later. She and her co-workers can leave early for the holidays. She said she envied some workers who get to skip work on Tuesday. They can leave early for the holiday. Apparently, some in the company have far to drive to meet family. The way she was talking was that nobody works during Lunar New Year.

[kangnamdragon]

Are Wednesday and Friday technically legal holidays? I am pretty sure they are, just checking.....

[shawner88]

We were supposed to have the whole week off but the parents complained that was too long, so now we're only off the three days. Luckily I didn't make a plan. Typical Korean crap.

[Son Deureo!]

What students are going to show up during Seollal? Aren't they supposed to be busy doing family stuff, like kowtowing for money?