Korean Job Discussion Forums

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

So I've been here for over 6 months now, and was told yesterday that I'd have to leave for a training session for 5 days (over the weekend--my time). I had no classes for the day, but still had to remain at the school, leaving me only the evening to pack, organize a pet sitter, and cancel my set-in-advance plans for the weekend. Also, this was going to be the first weekend in 3 months that I wasn't going to be in Seoul. It was to be spent studying Korean, going to the gym, yoga, and giving a cooking lesson to my Korean friends. Rest. The woman at the Ed Office had the gall to say it was only interrupting my play time! Because we don't need rest after a week of kids. Who needs sleep?

I tried to tell them that less than one day of notice was not the way to go about doing this, but they said it was my duty. I asked if I would get paid, and they said I wasn't working, to which I replied if it wasn't work, I didn't have to go. That's Korean logic for you. It's not work, but it's a duty. 12-hour days seems like work to me.

Anyway... I was wondering how much notice you were given?

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

I had that happen with GEPIK last year. Luckily, the place was close to where I live, so I rode my motorcycle there and then went home every day. When they told me that was unacceptable, I simply told them that 1 day of notice for a 5 day/4 night conference was unacceptable as I was watching my friends dog, and she had asked me two weeks in advance.

Anyway, you're going to get this all the time. The best thing to do is CONSTANTLY ask questions. If you ask a lot of questions all the time, you'll find out as soon as your handler does, which unfortunately is not much earlier than you do now.

dirving · Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: South Korea

I'm no Picasso · Joined: 28 Oct 2008

"I'm sorry. I already have plans."

"But it's your duty!"

"I'm sorry. I don't work Saturdays or Sundays. I already have plans. See you Monday!"

gmarthews · Joined: 20 Sep 2005

I don't know about anyone else but this course is mandatory and I have to work on Sunday - my day off - i am gonna have to work some 60 hours all told including the Friday back at school but they refuse to pay overtime because they say that it isn't work!

If they can tell me when is work and when it is not - that sets a worrying precedent. I have no choice but to work on my day off with no recompense.

I'm no Picasso · Joined: 28 Oct 2008

gmarthews · Joined: 20 Sep 2005