Korean Job Discussion Forums

[akiakiaki]

I have a few questions regarding breaking a GEPIK/ Elementary school contract after being in Korea for 7 months.

Long story short, I've been in and out of the hospital for the past month dealing with an illness and, at this point, I really just need to get out of Korea and go home and see doctors back in the USA.

Anyways, I plan on tell my school on Friday that I will be leaving in two weeks. I know that I'm not giving them a month's notice but, in the case of an illness, I think it should be excusable.

Should I prepare a letter or resignation to give to the principal? If so, does anyone have a sample I can look at?

Next, I have a friend that wants to come to Korea and teach and is interested in my previous job. I'd like to mention it to the school but, again, I'm not too sure if she should also go through GEPIK or negotiate the contract on her own.

Thanks for any help.

[ChinaBoy]

GEPIK contracts require 60 days notice.

[The Gipkik]

You're sick, right? I mean, you're sick, right? There is something physically wrong with you that is preventing you from performing your job as you would like it done? Break, and kindly say goodbye. There is no debate here. However, kindly is the word, eh?

[Otherside]

First part: Breaking contract.
Step 1, hand in notice (in your case 2weeks), step 2 get paid, step 3 forfeit your "housing deposit" step 4 go home. Simple.

Definitly mention your friend to the school. They need a teacher ASAP, your friend needs a job ASAP. Your friend wants THAT school, school doesn't want to pay recruiting costs. Win-win. You would be helping everyone out, and if your lucky, your school may decide to re-imburse your deposit as you minimized the downside. A big "if" though.

[akiakiaki]

Yes, I'm sick. Not like faking sick. I have the hospital bills to prove... and the mountain of medication.

Thank you for all the advice. I was hoping to get the housing deposit back.

[Snowkr]

I feel for you, OP. I've been there too.

I went through the exact same thing in China years ago and it was pretty rough. My school handled it well though, fortunately. I did not give adequate notice either but I had a doctor's note to submit detailing how important it was for me to get home ASAP.

If you can get something like that from your doctor here, it would probably help a lot. However, if you can't and it's not in your best interest to work out 60 days, then I totally agree with the others...

You should just resign as professionally as possible (some employers here make it hard; hopefully yours won't) and go home. I do think that getting a new teacher is their problem though, not yours.

All the best!

[tob55]

Go into your school and give the records of your visits to the hospital/clinic and it should be no problem. The contract says what it says about giving notice, but in cases of medical emergency, they must release you from your contract, no questions asked other than the medical questions.

I replaced a guy who had a similar situation, and the doctor said if he didn't leave he stood the possibility of dying in Korea. I finished he remaining 11 months of his contract and was given credit for completing a full year because I hired on to complete a contract that was terminated for medical reasons.

The school should understand, and if they don't it is still not their decision to make regarding your personal health. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

[Burndog]

Hey akiakiaki,

I sent a PM about this, but my name's Matt and I am the GEPIK Regional Rep for Suwon and want to help you with this. I agree with the above. Your GEPIK Contract states that the school can terminate your contract -

"If it is determined that the Employee is prevented from or incapable of performing his/her duties set forth in Article hereof for a medical reason, whether it is a physical or psychological ailment."

So...you just need to explain to your school that you are incapable of performing your duties. Generally your Principal would then write a letter terminating your contract 15 days from the date of the letter. You would be responsible for arranging your own return flight etc.

I think that recommending your friend is a decent gesture, and something that the school will appreciate...but logistically unless your friend already started with their paperwork, they probably won't make it in time (the CBC can take ages!).

I sent my phone number in the PM, and like I said...if you want to talk to me about it feel free to call. The Regional Rep role is a voluntary one, and we aren't paid by GEPIK or anything like that, we're just teacher's who want to help other teacher's who may be having difficulties. Which means that my advice is the same advice that I would give a friend...it's not biased or weighted in favour of GEPIK or your school. I reckon if you're sick...you're sick! Your contract has a provision for this situation...so it should all be alright.

[akiakiaki]

thanks again for all your help!