Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thursdays child]

Contract's up in Feb. No-one has 'officially' said anything about it. I wasn't planning on renewing, but never made that known - keeping options open. Anyway I asked my supervisors about the 'possibility' of resigning.... whoah you should have seen them squirm!! I've done a good job this year, made no enemies - but i get the strong impression I'm no longer wanted!

So, how should I approach the situation - ask again? Plead? Screw em?

[Karabeara]

I know one teacher who was offered the small raise he was asking for, but was told the school was not sure that the governent program would approve it. He did not see that as enough to be sure the raise would be there, and had to make a quick decision about another job, so he gave notice.

Also, when it came down to the contract, the vacation had been cut away. By contract, he had only two weeks, but had been given much more, off of the record. Last year, he had been forced to sign the contract limiting him to two weeks of vacation, but told last year that he would still get the normal vacation time - in secrect, of course. Now much of that time has gone away and the job was not so interesting to him when compared to another.

He had warned them they would leave if that happened, and he had prepared it, because the school had a history of taking away something when they gave something. Because they did that he gave noticed and is now moving to another position. The school expected the teacher to sign, and I was told there was a look of shock on their faces. The teacher told them it was because of the vacation issue.

For your position, however, I would be talking to them posthaste. Tell them you want to stay. If they do not want you, then you need to be looking also! Things are happening fast! You need to go to them today and tell them you want to stay, or they will hire someone else.

[Ya-ta Boy]

You said you had not been planning on staying. From that, I gather you don't really like it there but were going to use it as a fall-back. I'd say forget about it and start making other plans.

[thursdays child]

Yeee, my point being: should my shcool have already asked me to stay?

I have many options, it doesn't put me out at all if they give me the heave ho - I just fancied staying to try and overcome my commitment issues!

[JacktheCat]

[JacktheCat]

As to the OP, you should know by now that Koreans always leave things to the last possible moment.

Making a decision two months before the end of a contract is an eternity to them.

Subtlely drop lots of hints about what you want in order to re-sign, and see what happens.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I just can't understand why so many public schools want to take this route. Do they want to rotate FTs on a yearly basis? They can have you teach just as much as KTs during the breaks and still offer six weeks paid holiday, three in summer and three in winter. Most people I know who have two weeks in their contract end up getting more than this, so why not just make a small concession that will make most foreigners a lot more happy and content?

[xtchr]

Last minute notification seems standard withing the public school system, some of the Korean teachers I work with won't find out until the last week of Feb which school they have to teach at in March.

Does anyone else get confused reading these forums when the word 'resign' is used to mean quit, but also to sign again?

[Grotto]

The problem with the public school jobs is the government wants everyone to follow the GEPIK guidelines...which suck.

How long will it take Koreans to get it through their thick skulls that 2 weeks off a year just isnt enough time?

[thursdays child]

[changmee]

My public school asked me to stay for another year in November. When I told them that I wasn't going to re-sign they were upset. In addition, instead of spending my contracted four week winter vacation in Korea, I'm going to return home. I told them about this in November and they said that it would be no problem.

However, today they told me that they may not be able to pay my last months salary because I'm "going home early." When I explained that it was part of my contracted vacation time they seemed to understand. I am going to speak to the vice principle this afternoon to clear things up hopefully.

So far I have had a really great experience at this school, I really hope that I wont leave with a bad taste in my mouth.

[Thomas]

[Gwangjuboy]

My school really wants me to renew, but they told me that my holiday would be cut from a month a year, to just two weeks. However, they told me that I could still have a month a year off, but it wouldn't show on the contract. I am a little worried about that prospect, so I will get them to write it down on a seperate piece of paper just so they don't "forget."

[Paddycakes]

Gwangjuboy,

If they do that, make sure it's signed in blood and notarized in front of a judge or something.

Koreans are famous for saying one thing, and then when it comes to pony up they'll change their tune and say "oh, that was a mistake."

[bourquetheman]

My school told me the exact same thing and I believed them. Now all of a sudden they are strictly going by the contract. Heck even my supervisor (who doesn't know whether it's Tuesday or Chicago) doesn't know specifically my winter class schedule and told me she just assumes I have to be here everyday. I said "No no no, last winter I taught 2 classes ONCE a week, so now you're telling me that I'll be teaching 5 days a week? She has NO idea and says she'll "look into it" but thinks that I have to be here everyday. B.S. on that one. I am counting the days till I leave here. I just am tired of the politics here, other than that the students are fine and the English teachers are great. Oh well, enough bitching..............