Korean Job Discussion Forums

plokiju · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

Yet another vacation issue. So here it is:

The school where I work is changing location. They've decided to do it during the vacation period, which I understand. I'm sure you can guess where this is going, my boss wants everyone to help in the move. He wants off to sacrifice 2 days of our relatively short vacation (one week). He's told us not to make plans for the first 2 days of the vacation week. The vacation is also from Wednesday to Tuesday, which isn't that big a problem but when you cut out a weekend and another 2 days on top of that, all I have left is a glorified long weekend.

I'm sure that this can't be a clause in my contract and he hasn't offered us any compensation or other days off. I know the other 2 foreign teachers have an issue with this. I don't know if the Korean teachers do.

I don't have any other problems (well, serious ones) and don't want to create any trouble at work. Unavoidable perhaps but how would you broach this subject besides giving the "*beep* you, I'm not giving up my vacation"?

stumptown · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:22 am Post subject:

This seems to be a new problem here. My first year here, I got two full weekday vacations. After that it has been sketchy to say the least. I suggest for all future contract negotiators to make an addendum into your contract that the vacations you are entitled to is a five consecutive weekday vacation. I got f-ed out of mine because I did'nt do that so my wong-jang decided that the weekend constituted for 2 of the 5 days.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

tell your boss that you have made plans and wont be available those days...darn it all

stumptown · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:14 am Post subject:

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

I would play the foreigner card. "I really, really need to go home for a week and see my family!" Or just say you've booked tickets ahead of time...

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

Grotto is pretty blunt about these sort of things. He is serious. Probably what grotto suggested is something you should have said when your boss first brought it up. You should have said. Oh gee I uh already have plans. I fly out of here on the first day of vacation to ummmm uh the Philipines, thats it. Sorry the flights can't be changed. Too bad you didn't say this earlier.

I'm sure the korean staff won't be pleased. Ask them about it. maybe if you get everyone to say "we are teachers not movers" and then convince him to hire movers. at the very least you should get paid for it.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Get a friend in your home town to cut out some old lady in the orbituary column and fax it to your school and say "That's my aunt, I really need to see my family".

stumptown · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:47 am Post subject:

Damn, that was a good one. I'll remember that one next time!
Cheers

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Unless you were fast on your feet and told him you had a flight booked for Wed./Thurs. when he first mentioned the moving days, I think you are screwed.

The only thing I can think of to suggest is to ask if the lost vacation days are being tacked on to the end of the vacation. Or maybe later...how about two extra days at Chuseok?

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

The more you explain and qualify your objection, the more you open it up to being criticized or argued against. The best thing you could have said was:

"No"

Another equally effective but more diplomatic answer you could have given would be:

"Sorry, no"

As for me, I like to soften the blow a bit, so that they realize I would love to do it but things are beyond my control, and it's not a reflection on them or any kind of personal attack. I say:

"Sorry, it's just not possible on that day."

or

"Sorry, can't do it."

plokiju · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

Unfortunately, I'm not that fast on my feet. I also really prefer not to have to do any lying. Besides my parents were just here a few weeks ago and I haven't been here that long.

The strange thing is that he is hiring movers for the tables, chairs, and books, etc. So I really don't know what else is left.

I feel like just demanding he add a few days at the end of the vacation but I'd imagine he'd just either say no or someone else would end up taking my classes, neither of which are really that fair. I think he may have been generous with the xmas vacation so he thinks he can cut this one short. I wasn't there for that holiday, of course.

I don't mind helping in the move all that much I just wished I got some kind of compensation, financial or otherwise. Maybe there is. Our teacher's meetings are 90% Korean and sometimes they take it for granted that we understand certain things. I really don't like this 'the boss is king and cannot be questionned' kind of attitude that seems exists here or is that just my impression?

steroidmaximus · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: GangWon-Do

has he been punctual with pay?

has he helped you out?

is the job good?

is the apt. good?

if yes, then he's kinda of expecting that you 'give a little back'.

plokiju · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Just because your boss has lived up to his/her contractual obligations doesn't or shouldn't win him brownie points. Heck, most western bosses are expected to be good to their empoyees. So what if he gave you some slack during Christmas, when is he going to give you your summer break? You've probably been good to him too. Really, don't think that because he has not screwed you around he deserves a "Director of the Year" award. Make sure you get the vacation time alloted to you. The best way is to just say NO. I can't do it. I made plans and have to keep them.