2nd year contract. head co-t at odds over sick time/contract.

[erock1982]

I know, I rarely post here. But, I do lurk a lot and haven't seen anything like this issue before so here goes.

I've had chronic sinusitis for a decade. It sucks, I hate it, it's familial. Anyway, I'm in the tail end of a 2nd year in Korea. I work my butt off. 44 hours per week, 29 teaching hours. Unfortunately with that much work I get sinus infections every 3 months or so. It'll knock me out for about a day and I'll have to go to the hospital. So, in the last month or so I said screw this - I have medical insurance, I have money, I should get this problem taken care of and get some specialists to prep me for surgery. I've tried to schedule the appointments with specialists in the best way possible and even gave this woman the chance for initial consultations to choose what time would be best to take off. While I was there at the hospital alone I had to choose the next session so I looked at my I-pad calendar (the only way I can keep my 3 schools and retarded course-load in order) and chose a day after lunch when I had only two classes left. So I told her yesterday that I would have an appointment today. We are obligated to give at least one hour notice. I gave a whole day.

This teacher and I have had spats at times. Generally it is over nonsensical stuff but I've learned to bow to the Kor and just agree even if I disagree. But some things like contractual obligations I won't and haven't budged on. They see it as flexible (culturally I get this), I see it as absolute (because it's governed by law in a country run by rule of law). Fast forward to this morning - I approach said teacher to tell her I informed the VP that I'll be going to the hospital today for a CT scan and that everything is fine he just needs me to do the paperwork for using time off. She then tells me that she called the hospital about my conditions and asked about the times of my appointments and what is wrong with me exactly (inappropriate no matter what culture?), that I should do the surgery in my own country not Korea (is this not why I have and pay for medical insurance every month? I asked "So, you're saying Korean doctors are not as good as American ones?"),  and that due to taking sick time and missing (2) classes that she is "worried about my contract being renewed". I was just totally shocked, upset, and sad about this. I have given nothing but my best 110% for my schools (for nearly 2 years) and kids no matter what other concerns I've had. Late pay, arbitrary decisions that lack logic, etc. We got into an argument - not just a small one but I actually lost composure and swore at the situation - not her mind you just the situation. I recall her pulling the same shit last year around this time for the exact same reason. She also threw a litany of complaints at me for smaller nonsensical things it isn't necessary to get into here after telling me the aforementioned.

My contract states (public school direct hire) that I am allowed 11 days of paid sick leave with proper documentation. Not only have I used only 6 of those days through the year but I provided documentation and advanced notice in each instance despite not having to do so for the first 3. Nowhere that I could see does it say that this is a metric for renewal. She also stated that 30% of my renewal score comes from my open class which is probably mid to high score, 30% from her, and 40% from my VP/P. The later I have excellent relationships with as far as I'm aware (bottles of whiskey every Christmas go a long way).

Anyway, sorry for the rant. It seems I have a problem now on two fronts - one, I'd like to renew at my school for a third and final year but I'm being told that I'm at risk of non-renewal - two, I really need surgery and with my job hanging over my head I'm not sure if I should risk paying several million won for this and not have enough saved for a furlough in the USA while I wait for a new job in a better place (I'm considered sub-urban by Kor standards). I was even planning on doing the surgery on my own time during Summer vacation so it wouldn't impact regular school time or English camp.

My solution was to make a survey about my teaching performance this year and at the end put "if it was your decision alone would you continue this NET's employment? ( ) YES or ( ) NO. That would seem to be a reasonable way to say F-you since I know the responses will be positive and I'll also have a paper trail. I'm so angered by the situation I can't even think straight. I didn't realize that I wasn't allowed to be human and have a medical condition and have it treated and still keep my job at the same time.

Suggestions? All ears folks.

[lotte world]

Have your surgery.  The VP and P probably both know what your co-teacher is like.  Renewal is not entirely her decision, and in fact, your contract is probably with the Principal.

Besides, it sounds like the surgery is important and useful, and probably more affordable and convenient here than back home.  If you get it done and don't get renewed then you're still better off.  You could probably change schools for the last year if you still wanted to stay.

[erock1982]

Yes, lotte world, you are absolutely correct my contract is with the Principal alone. I have a good relationship with the man. His son studies in Las Vegas and we've had many chats over the past 2 school years. He even sat down with me to show me the family vacation album for his trip to 미국. I know the man likes me.

It's nice to have someone so experienced comment right off the bat. I guess I should be concerned with my own needs and not worry so much about what she said. It's still I dunno depressing. I like my school and kids and don't want to be threatened in such ways.

[deanitsin]

Principal is king/queen. He gave you the time off. There's nothing left to discuss. Smile and look confused at your coteacher and just keep repeating that the principal gave you the time off, and you don't really see why he would have done that if he had a problem with it. She knows she doesn't have a leg to stand on if the principal has given his permission. She's just blowing hot air. 30% is lower than 40%. That's all there is to it.

[SBracken]

This is one of those times where it seems like there's just no compromise: Korea culture says how dare you ever take a sick day- let alone 6?! What a lazy, selfish, horrible person! And not only are you missing work, but you're skipping CLASSES! Don't you realize that some other poor, hard-working, selfless teacher will have to work EXTRA hard now to compensate for your failure? How could you get/be sick? Don't you care at ALL about your coworkers?

Then there's the logical side of things ;) If you have a good relationship with the big P man (and the slightly smaller but still big VP man), and they understand your (very logical) situation, just forget your co-teacher. I think you already took very considerate actions by asking her when would be best for her for you to take the time off. With 29 classes a week, it's likely any leaving-early's or coming-in-late's will cause you to miss one or two. You could also point out that by having the surgery, you wouldn't need to miss 'so many' days in the future. You said you considered summer recess, on your own time? If the P/VP are okay with your surgery during the academic calendar- take advantage of your contractual sick days, and savor your vacation! Goodness sounds like you earn it.

I wouldn't worry too much about having to leave your schools and students behind- this sounds like just one loon

[matthews_world]

Pretty simple really.

Do you wanna keep your job?  Get your procedure done over your lucrative vacation time.

Even though you might be chummy with your boss, your co-teacher has some weight also in his decision.

1 or 2 days per the who year is a maximum sick days is even a line that shouldn't be crossed in the P.S. environment.

[ironopolis]

Basically, I would agree with others as regards what to do over your sinusitis treatment - just get it done and don't worry about it.

It does appear from what you say that the problems with this co-t are not just related to this particular sick time issue and that your relationship with her wasn't very good anyway. I'm reluctant to say too much on co-t relationship issues because it's hard to know who needs to do what when you've only heard one side of the story. Maybe she is a bit of a loon who most people would find hard to work with.? Or maybe you're just a bit too confrontational? I'm not there, so I've no idea.

What I would say though is that you should try to keep your relationship with her as good as you can, however much you might want to say F you to her. By all means get your treatment done, but keep your cool with her and don't give her any extra ammunition against you. IF you really do have the VP and P's ear that much, then you shouldn't have any need to get confrontational with her as you'd have the option of going over her head to the VP.

When your renewal time comes, if she doesn't want you renewed but she is regarded as a bit of a nutter by the VP, P and many others then you might well be ok. But be wary of assuming that just because the VP and P are all smiles to your face that they'd take your side against her if she made strong representations to them for you not to be renewed.

[sejongthefabulous]

Perhaps your co teacher is trying to send you a hidden message.
Just because you all buddy-buddy with administration doesn't mean they want to keep you employed.
Have you talked with them about this issue?
Even for the best teacher in Korea, 6 sick days and counting is really going to annoy the other people in your school, unless it's all at once and because of a critical condition that moves them to pray for you at church.

Also, as for your survey.  They will all just tick yes and then think you are being annoying and rude. They will easily figure how to use it as evidence against you. (not following proper procedure?)
Yes I would renew you if it was only down to your teaching skills, but showing up to apply them and not annoying coworkers is more important when they are the ones evaluating you. It would only be helpful if you were evaluated by parents and students, administration won't directly contrast them.
Take the medical holiday during your vacation time. Most of the teachers at my school have even planned their pregnancies around school holidays.

[jurassic82]

That sucks about your coteacher. I had surgery about a year ago. I work at a public school as well and they were pretty cool about me taking the time off. I had a herniated disc in my neck and was in a considerable amount of pain. My surgery was on a Saturday and I only missed two days of work the following Monday and Tuesday. You have the sick days in your contract to take a surgery like that if it is really needed which in your case it seems like it does.

If I was looking at it from the other side where I was the employer hiring an employee for another year and they told me straight up from the start that they were going to take maybe a week off to get a surgery and I would have to have their coworker cover their classes I would be a a bit apprehensive about hiring them for another year. I totally agree with you that you should get the surgery done but I can see how it could annoy your coteacher and contrary to what others say she does have a considerable amount of influence during the renewal process.

I would play it nice for now and wait for all the papers for renewal to get signed and then bring it up again. If you keep pushing it it could lead to problems. I know it sucks but maybe doing it during your vacation time isn't a bad idea either. You have been here long enough to understand how sick days aren't really taken unless the person is seriously ill or had an emergency. As much of a headache your coteacher is I would keep in mind the fact that she would have to probablly cover your classes when you are gone and that is an extra load for her.  Anyways, do what is best and I wish you all the best.

[donuts81]

It's because you simply told her without asking for permission first. She is flexing her muscle for you to see. NETs are the bottom of the heap and she is probably feeling stress from somewhere, real or imagined, about your sick days.

Don't do the survey you were thinking about. No one is going to take your side publicly in an argument against a senior Korean teacher. I don't think we would even get the benefit of the doubt against a 5yo, but that's a different story. Additionally it's just going to create a giant rift between you and your school.

If you want to smooth things out.....

I would suggest going to her and explaining your side of things; this is something you need done; you thought that this way would be the least disruptive; you didn't think that the school would be upset and was a little shocked by the response etc.

You could also mention that you realize now that you should have consulted with her first and that you will try to do that for any future appointments. Pull the cultural misunderstanding card and try to blow it off.

If she is still looking PO'd you could ask about any upcoming sports, camp or exam days coming up that you could reschedule to.

Or you could just ignore her. You can't make everyone happy all the time.