Korean Job Discussion Forums

jhicks99 · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul, South Korea

We recently had a teacher at my school get fired (won't go into it). I ended up picking up one of their afternoon classes (taking my total work hours right up to the 100/session). Now 3 days a week i am teaching my morning kinder classes, and then going from 2:30 - 6:55 straight with no break. That's 6 classes of 40 minutes each, 5 minutes in between classes.

Needless to say having to stay an extra 45 minutes on top of what I'm used to coupled with having 6 classes in a row leaves me extremely tired and frustrated by the end of the day... it also puts a significant dent on my social activities as I'm often really tired after school and am now getting off a class later.

I remember reading in an earlier thread that 4 hours was the maximum someone could teach consecutively (the thread mentioned the 5 minutes between classes didn't count) without a 30 minute break. I read the Korea labour standards post and couldn't locate this info in there.

Can anyone verify this for me? I really want to go to my boss and tell them to stop putting me through hell three times a week. The other 2 days a week my schedule is pretty horrible too... Maybe since I have 4 months left and no intentions on returning they're just dumping on me... I don't know.

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

Sounds like you're definitely taking up some of the slack, for the fired teacher. Ask for a firm date, when the replacement teacher starts?

This link I found on Daves might help:

http://www.dmitryvolokhov.com/pdf/Korean%20Labor%20Standards%20Act%20-%20Searchable%20PDF.pdf

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2060540

gangpae · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Busan

I think you are entitled to a 1 hour break in an 8 hour shift.

Boodleheimer · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject:

yes, they can.

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

Hakwons (if that is where you are) can and will do whatever they want as long as it suits them.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

Labor Standards Act

Article 53 (Recess Hours)

(1) An employer shall allow a recess period of more than 30 minutes for every 4 working hours and more than 1 hour for every 8 working hours during the working hours.

gangpae · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Busan

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject:

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

gangpae · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Busan

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

ttompatz might be on paid leave/vacation time.

See article 60

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject:

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

I would tell them to stuff the 45 minutes after you're done your classes. Just go home when you're done. If they bitch at you, bitch back.

Chambertin · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: Gunsan

Didn't you guys see MIB, he didn't die he went home.