Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

Has anyone who is teaching or taught in a hagwon taken a week of bereavement or family emergency medical in the event of a dying immediate family member? Nothing in my contract mentions this situation.

How should I go about this tomorrow morning when I go into work? I know I am an adult and could just buy a plane ticket, say bye, and go, but I would rather keep my job and finish the contract on good terms, if possible. I couldn't do anything about it today as I could not get a hold of anyone from work, while the travel agents and banks were all closed due to it being Sunday. I have to get on the horn early tomorrow morning with something that will set me on my way ASAP, but on best terms.

Is it reasonable to tell them I must go home for a week and then buy the ticket tomorrow? My mother is dying in an ICU of a major hostpital in the states with the grimmest prognosis while all her family except me are spending hours a day in her room and we are crying on the phone. I just cried for 2 nights straight since learning about it late Friday night. I also thought I would just have a relative call my boss Monday morning and tell them mother already died just to make it that I am automatically on my way. I am getting ready to call relatives again as it's getting to be early Sunday morning in the states right now.

I have to go ASAP. I know I am going to talk to my head teacher and director ASAP, but I haven't clue what I am up against or how they will work with me on this tomorrow morning. I am sure they will not be very pleased over losing a teacher on such short notice. And then I can't really teach tomorrow since I have to put my plan together quickly such as buying air ticket and going to the bank. I am already packed; I packed only one bag and left the rest here since I plan on coming back.

[korea252]

I'm sorry, I've never been in your situation so don't have a personal experience to relate.
As a human being with feelings I would hope your director would understand your circumstances. I hope you get to see your mum asap.
Buy your ticket, talk to your director, and go then home.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Woland]

Tell them that you need to go, exlain why, and regardless of response, go.

If the owner has any decency, s/he will agree to this immediately. If not, well, would you rather work for such a person or spend time with your mother and family?

[ttompatz]

[sojourner1]

There is no reference to it in labor law. None what so ever.

As you mentioned, public schools do provide 1 week paid.

[sojourner1]

What is up with this crazy arse *beep*? It replicates my posts . I am getting upset.

[sojourner1]

What is up with this crazy arse *beep*? It replicates my posts . I am getting upset.j

4 friggin times with no reason. The transmission is repeating itself somewhere, be it a server, my machine, or simply in a line.

[theatrelily]

I am terribly sorry that you are going through whatever it is that you are going through.

I had to leave when my mother died my first year in Korea. I got the call on Saturday, called my supervisor on Sunday and flew home Monday.

All in all my school was really good about it. I got a week's paid vacation (even though I had vacation booked 2 weeks later), a 400,000won bereavement gift and they offered to help me pay for my ticket home.

...now granted I had a great relationship with my boss. I think they were strongly supportive because it was immediate family and my director saw herself as a mother-figure to the foreigners.

I'm not sure if it was my right according to the labour laws, but I hope that your school has the decency and basic compassion to offer you the same amount of respect that I was shown.

...it certainly makes a huge difference when having to process something so difficult.

Hope all works out well, you're in my thoughts.

[sojourner1]

[Young FRANKenstein]