Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xCustomx]

The crap hit the fan today at my PS in regards to my contract. I've got a sweet gig because I was able to negotiate the terms in my contract. I'm obligated to teach one week of summer camp and one week of winter camp each year. The rest of the time is considered vacation, except in February when the students come back for graduation. In 2010 I am supposed to come to work for 6 days.

I told my co-teacher that I'd like to work 6 days worth of OT this summer vacation period so that I can get 6 days of in February when the students return. She consulted with the VP, the office of education and the administration at our school. They all agreed that it would be OK. This way I can fly back home the first week of January, go home for almost two months, and then come back the last day of February to collect my pension.

Today my school said that my contract was invalid since it doesn't follow the typical PS guidelines. I explained that the principal signed off on the changes I made to the contract and that the contract is valid. They want me to make a new contract that adheres to the PS guidelines, but this would result in me losing about 7 weeks of vacation. I told them there is no way that I'm changing my contract just because they made a mistake and signed off on my amendments. I said that if the school doesn't honor the contract, then I'm going to just call in sick during the 6 days in February that I'm supposed to be there, and there is nothing they can do.

I already threatened to quit, but they don't want me to. I told them to make me an offer that will make me want to stay at the school. They came up with that crap about making a new contract so it adheres to the PS guidelines but takes away 7 weeks of vacation. I just started laughing and asked if it was a joke. I'm wondering, if they just decide to fire me in order to break the contract, what rights will I have?

I haven't done anything for them to fire me, and they have admitted that they made the mistake in signing off on the contract. Can employers in Korea fire someone without cause?

[yingwenlaoshi]

I'm so surprised.

Tell them that you're going to find out what the labor board has to say about it.

[xCustomx]

[pie eater]

[xCustomx]

[teachergirltoo]

I have an amended contract also, as I am sure several of us that have been here a while do. I would see things the same as you, but would make that call to the Labour Board to give me backup.

[Xuanzang]

[D.D.]

As the aussies would say you were on a good wicket. You screwed it up by pushing for more by trying to get those 6 days changed around.

[xCustomx]

[polonius]

Most contracts have a clause that states that either party can terminate the contract by providing 30-60 days notice. There need be no grounds for the termination. If they don't have any reason, they can simply implement it.

I would stay relatively strong on your original contract. Try to find a middle ground, as they obviously don't like the idea of the contract that was originally signed, and they do have a way out of it. If you like you gig, try to get as much as possible, but be prepared to get less than you were originally offered.

I am sure you know this, but be polite, yet firm. Good luck to you, let us know how it turns out.

[Hanson]

[Ramen]

Just say "OK" to everything they say.

If they give you the new contract to sign, tell them that you need some time to look it over. Keep the new contract and don't sign it, just hold on to it. If they ask about it later, tell them you didn't have chance to compeletely review it and need more time. Just drag it on and on until hell freezes over.

[PamPhi]

[Epicurus]

several thoughts:

though I understand why you wanted a signed document to give you the vacation your school didn't mind giving you, I would have approached the issue differently. I'd simply rely on the "understanding" I had with my principal, (as you seem to have).

I'm shocked that as widely circulated as your request though, some a-hole somewhere, especially at the POE didn't put a veto thru the contract right away.

what also surprises me is that since your principal and assumedly the VP are ok with your vacations, why and how someone at the school would raise a red flag and upset the applecart, possibly risking loss of face for your Principal and VP. I somehow doubt it's someone at the school , but one never knows.

now that the proverbial cat is out of the bag, I would reconsider revisiting my first suggestion. These things are always best done on the down low, so have a chat with the principal about my original suggestion.

btw - who at the school is telling you now it can't be, considering the principal signed off on it in the first place?

[Ramen]