Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

Hey I could not find this in any of the stickies, and I tried to piggyback the question on other threads to no avail. So, can any one tell me............

If someone wants to leave a teaching contract early in Korea, regardless of the reason, and that person wants to go about it the "right way", by giving "proper notice", but the contract has absolutely nothing(zilch, zero, nada) regarding a teacher leaving early, what would be the standard minimum notice to give?

I am betting it's 30 days, but would actually be willing to stay a little longer to make sure the school has time to find my replacement.

Anyone know, or know where I can find the info?

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Check your contract. The amount of notice your are required to give to the employer should be stipulated in the contract. If not, then you should give notice based on how frequently you are paid, i.e. every two weeks, once a month. This is the standard I have been familiar with most of my working career. Some contracts state 60 days, but when reading through the Korean Labor Standards Act, I see that is says

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

I wasn't trying to be critical of you. Thanks for clarifying again. Too often people jump to conclusions, and without knowing the circumstances, others have been quick to label a situation without having the full story. I wish you well in what ever you do.

anynag · Joined: 01 Jan 2009

Korean Labor law states 30 days as the minimum. However, many employers prefer 60 days notice. I would definitely recommend giving your employer a specific date (at or beyond 30 days) from the day you hand him or her your letter of resignation. Good luck!

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

Thanks and no worries tob55, I just thought you may have read my original post in haste, that's all.

Thanks to you too anynag. I kind of figured it was 30 days, though nowadays it probably takes longer to get a replacement unless they are lucky enough to find someone already in Korea. I actually want to give at least 6 weeks if I can.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

Another approach is to just tell them you plan on quitting. They will most likely reply, "What!!! You can't quit!!". To which you say, "I am very sorry, but I (blah blah excuse here)."

Then if you are lucky they will say something like, "But you got to give us _days to get a replacement". In my case, they said 2 weeks but it ended up being 4 weeks. I don't think they got a legit replacement, lol

The point being, if you write up a letter you have to give some time frame. If you say it to them in person you can get their reaction and find out how much time they need. If they can save money and get another teacher you might be able to leave sooner than some arbitrary date you put in a letter.