Breaking EPIK Contract with 2 Weeks Notice

[JamericanTeacher]

So, I'm up for a position in the US, which I'm 95% sure I'll get, due to the hiring manager being a friend of the family.

It's a great, high paying opportunity, and there's no way in hell I'm going to pass it up.  Plus I'm getting tired of Korea. 

The problem is, I don't want to give my school notice until every I is dotted, and T is crossed on the job back home.  That won't happen until December 20th, with a start date of January 2nd.

That means I'd give my school 2 week's notice, which I feel TERRIBLE about.  They're such nice people, and I'd just hate to leave them hanging, especially with winter camps starting on Jan 9th.

So, my questions are: has anyone been in a similar situation?  How did you handle it?  How did your school react?

Any suggestions on how I should handle this situation? 

I'm recruiting my replacement so I can hand them a stack of resumes along with my resignation letter.

Again, there's no way in hell I'm passing up this opportunity, so suggestions on how to handle this will be more appreciated than judgement, or advice to finish the contract, because that's simply not an option.



Thanks, as always.

[lotte world]

Do it.  It's enough that you feel bad about it, and in fact it's not a terrible time to do it- school starts in March, which gives a reasonable amount of time to find a replacement.  You will forfeit your severance and flight home, but if the new job is all that then it won't matter.  Besides, if it's 95% certain but the 5% actually stops you getting the job then you won't need to hand in notice and you won't need to feel bad (but I hope it doesn't come to that).

In my opinion camps are not that important educationally- they're a lot of fun, but don't worry about it.

If you think your school might turn rather frosty towards you then your only other option is a midnight run.  Wait for the December 25 pay packet then simply leave.  I personally would find it impossible to do that to my school, and if I had to make the same choice as you I would be honest with them, tell them as soon as I could, suffer any bad vibes, and leave.  Naturally I would have decided in advance that the new job was worth it.

I'd be curious to see what others think.

Good luck.

[Mountain Crocodile]

With public school positions downsizing, there is no real future in public school education in Korea.  It is far too unstable to consider a long-term career choice since the risks of non-renewal are always one negatively opinionated co-teacher away.  If you have found employment back home, I would first like to congratulate you.  There are many who are seeking employment and if this pays well, it is an opportunity that should not be passed up.  The circumstances that you face are simply leaving your current temporary employment for more professional and stable work back home.  This will occur during the vacation period where classes are not considered mandatory, but mere time fillers to pass the time while you are at work deskwarming (another pointless and extremely asinine example of extremely poor staff management).

I had a similar circumstance in the past.  In that particular case, I simply sent an email stating that I would not be returning, wished them well and was going forward with another life direction that could not be passed up.  You are extremely replaceable in their eyes.  The only feeling they will experience is that of inconvenience.  Once a replacement arrives, they will quickly forget you even existed and move onwards.    As one poster stated, collect your pay packet and go get your new job.  I would not refer anyone to them as it is not your position to do so, and keeping connection between you and them is not a good idea.  I would not even resign, just book at flight and move onwards.  If you are tired of the country, ready to move on and the opportunity waits for you..take it.

MC

[plchron]

make sure to use your sick days and vacation days before you bail.