Korean Job Discussion Forums

marina_ballerina · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Location: Nowon, S. Korea

I've been working at my hagwon since the beginning of Feb, and when I asked for the afternoon of X-mas eve off my boss said okay. BUT she also said she was thinking about firing me after December, with only a month left on my contract.

The reason is that I don't have the energy I used to, which really isn't true, if anything I have more energy than when I started.

What should I do?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

You should rollover and cry. Razz

Seriously, what did you tell your boss when she told you this?

marina_ballerina · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Location: Nowon, S. Korea

I was just like, 'kamsahamnida, I'm going to work so hard! You are so gracious!' etc.

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

tiddles · Joined: 25 Aug 2009

Yeah, the labor board will totally back you on this, it'll just take a few months to get it sorted.

Laugh in her face and tell her to call your attorney about it.

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

In Korea, Christmas is just another day. If your hagwon is open then you should be working Christmas Eve, take in consideration the other foreigner teachers and Koreans working on this day.

Of course, this shows you have no energy. Why should you be special?

They have to arrange their schedule just to fit your demands.

Have you taken other 'special days' or sick days off?

Your boss will take this all the way to the Labor Board.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

wesharris · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Requesting an extra day off, her or there, isn't to bad mate.
Deja, you're just being negative,

Stan Rogers · Joined: 20 Aug 2010

You can't go to the labor board because the boss said he/she is "thinking about firing" someone.

Only if the boss actually does it, then you consider that option. South Korea does not arrest people for thought crime.

OP, the day before Christmas doen't have any meaning to Koreans. When in Rome, you are expected to work as the Romans work.

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

Christmas Eve is nothing, just like everywhere else (I'm not aware of any place that grants December 24 as a legal holiday). You said that Christmas (i.e., December 25) is just another day in Korea. December 24 is just another day; however, December 25 is a legal holiday.

It's not out of the ordinary for someone to ask for one extra day off or to substitute that day off with a vacation date. It's certainly not out of the ordinary to ask for it one time in a year.

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

I don't see any problem with asking for a day off. You get a certain number of holidays in the contract. You ARE allowed to ask for them. The boss might say "no" but there's still no reason why you can make the request. It may even be to their benefit because in my experience, many students won't come to class on Christmas Eve anyway. They may be either celebrating it or getting an early start to the legal day off on 25 December.

Anyway, OP, wait until you get notification in writing that you're being fired. In the mean time, try to get your documents together in case you need them on short notice. AND, don't bring up the topic of being fired. If the boss forgets to give you written notice and then tries to spring it on you in the 10th month, you're case should be stronger at the Labor Board. If she fires you now and gives you the contractual 30 days notice (or more depending on your contract) then she'll have more leverage if you challenge it.