Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fadedgirl]

How do you know when it's time to leave your job?

[Zulethe]

[balzor]

[GoldenPennies]

there's a magic formula you can apply, i don't know it

[madhatter]

You must give more details. Why do you feel like quitting? How long is left in your sentence? If you have a few dollars saved up, there's nothing wrong with going home if you have a good reason. I left Korea (after my contract ended), and ended up working at home in ESL for double my Korean salary....and I don't even have an education, celta, or tefl degree. It's a big world.with lots of opportunity.

In the words of Jerry MacGuire, "stick your balls out there...that's how you become great"

[fadedgirl]

In April, I asked the Assistant Director, the head teacher AND the Director of the school for a week off in June. I asked the assistant director twice, the head teacher five times and the director of the school 3 times. Finally, the director of the school said yes. I saw all three of them write the dates down on their calendars.

So, I went on vacation.

When I got back, the assistant director said he needed to meet with me. He said that I was never approved for those vacation days, that I went on vacation because I needed to go on vacation (WHY would I come back then?), and that I was insubordinate and disrespectful towards my coworkers. He claimed that no one knew where I was. (My korean co-teacher told me that she tried to tell him but he wasn't listening to her.) He said that the staff and the parents at the school always complain about me. He also mentioned the fact that the school "lets" me live in a 2 bedroom apartment and gives me a "great" salary. He gave me a warning letter, told me that they were taking 2 days pay out of my paycheck and that I would have to work 1 Saturday a month because it's written in my contract.

I have never worked a Saturday as long as I've been in Korea, which has been nearly 4 years.
I have NEVER had a problem like this about my vacation days.

I met with the director of the school on Tuesday night for 2 and a half hours. He claims that he had no idea about the dates. Why would I just randomly ask for days off in June and NOT mention the dates? Then he hung HIS entire argument on the fact that I didn't leave any class notes. Well, I wrote them on my calendar and the 2 other teachers I work with knew where they were. By the end of the meeting, nothing had been resolved. He only said that he would talk to the assistant director about the situation and that the 3 of us should talk about it together later.
That was Tuesday. Today is Thursday and clearly I'm not holding my breath that it will happen.

Now the reason I'm so antsy to make a decision about quitting or staying is the fact that in my contract it says that I need to 60 working days notice to get a letter of release.

What would you do?

[Goon-Yang]

I would tell him penalty clause are illegal and he can't dock your salary.
I'd also ask him to show me where in the contract it says I have to work on Sat. Then I'd wait for payday and quit. Just get up and leave. You can do that, even if there's some clause in the contract that says you have to give 30/60 days notice. A company has to give notice. You don't. Leave the country and go somewhere cheap for the length of time to get new documents.

Welcome back.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

When you feel too comfortable, it's time to quit.

[shifty]

You can fix this one. To do that you're going to have to take the initiative and stare them down.

Tell them the Saturday thing is a no can do. And that you don't want that brought up again, because the whole idea is absurd. In a flat casual voice say it is also impossible that your salary be docked by two days.

Bring up a complaint about yr apartment, jeezus I myself would hate a 2 room apartment with all the cleaning in its wake. If they bring up the parent complaints nonsense again then scoff wholesale in an impatient manner..

Then tell them that you willingly concede the 2 days vacation, that they can in fact have some more, maybe as many as 5, that is paid vacation. Ask them 3 times if they understand, PAID VACATION.

Don't do the 2 month notice thing, unless as bluff or threat.

Don't be dragged into 2 hour plus meetings; essentially they're getting to haul you over the coals. You have to make them uncomfortable in yr little times together.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

How dare you take vacation?!? You must be punished!!!

How Middle-Ages can you get?

[fadedgirl]

I'm not bluffing about quitting.

I've already decided that if they tell me I have to work on Saturday that I'm handing in my notice right then and there.

Seeing as how I sit next to the assistant director, and HE's the one who told me that I have to come in on Saturday and he's docking my pay...well, things are really uncomfortable at work. He tries to say things to me to belittle me, but I just let it roll right off my back.

I fully understand that the director doesn't plan on talking to the assistant director. Why should he? At the end of the day, all three of my supervisors look like idiots because they ALL forgot that I was on vacation and no one even asked me before I left where I was going and where I was going to stay and stuff like that. I just happen to be the low man on the totem pole and it's easier to blame me.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

[shifty]

He'll have to liaise with you before the first Saturday takes place if only to inform you of the times etc.

Just say that you don't work Saturdays and when he pursues the conversation politely listen, but respond only 'I don't work Saturdays'.

Hang in there, it's just a temporary hiccup. You'll be stronger afterward, and in their eyes as well. Relax and have a good sleep!!!!

[chojieun]

I don't think you should quit because of one problematic situation. Stand your ground and try to figure things out first. Kind of seems like they are just empty threats. You never know, things may go back to normal.

[recessiontime]

you know things are great in a country when working 1 extra day a month is grounds for quitting.

im not saying the k's in your story arent douches, they are, but to me at least your problems seem minor.