Korean Job Discussion Forums

inverse_narcissus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Location: Masan / the pub

Hi all,
I've got an ickle question for ye.

I'm working in a public school in Masan, and I'm a bit mixed-up about my vacation allowance, maybe you can help me.

On the one hand, my co-teacher has said that I must take my vacation during the school's summer and winter vacation times, when teachers and students alike have one/two (?) weeks off. He's admitted that he may be mistaken about this.

On the other hand, my contract states that:
Employee shall apply for and obtain Employer's consent to take a leave at least fifteen (15) days in advance. (Article 14, clause 2)
Now, if my vacation time was allotted to the school's vacation time, why would I need to inform my employer 15 days in advance?

Which do you think is the case? Do I have a set time for vacation or am I free to take them as I please?

Either way, can anyone tell me what exactly are the dates for the school vacation this year? (summer, winter)

Thanks in advance,
Simon / i_n

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

The dates vary from school to school. Most likely summer break will be from the middle / end of July to around the third week of August. Winter break is usually longer. However, many schools put on extra classes during this time, run by a skeleton staff, with junior / contract teachers (like you) given a disproportionate share of the load.

Yes, you should take your contractual holidays during this time.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

You should try and take your vacation during the school holidays (you'll probably be teaching a few classes when you are not on vacatoin). However, if you have a date orientd time that you hve to be away, they are sometimes accomodating. I have a family wedding I MUST attend in May, and it was no problem asking for time off even though its in the middle of the semester. Family is important, so they understand family obligation probably better than western employers. Also, since you haev a co-teacher, its not that tough on the school.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

inverse_narcissus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Location: Masan / the pub

luvnpeas · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:35 pm Post subject:

You aren't able to take vacation when school is session. When school is not in session, you are still expected to work. You come into school, prepare lessons, review materials, organize things, pretend to do these things by having an educational site loaded into one browser window while reading up on your favorite sports team in another, etc. (Ooops, cynicism.) This is also the time you can take a paid vacation.