Read 1045 times

Quitting Public School Job
« on: August 23, 2022, 03:50:14 pm »
I want to quit my public school job. I don't want to be sued or anything. It says I need to give a 60 day quit notice, but I want to give a 30 day quit notice.

My plan is to give my 30 day notice. Since I have about 10 days of vacation leave, I will teach for 2 weeks and 2 weeks vacation.

My question is what is the legal actions the school can go after me if I quit? Also, can my public school go after me legally because of the students? They have to find a new teacher within those two weeks because no one can teach those classes?


  • Mr C
  • The Legend

    • 3927

    • October 17, 2012, 03:00:40 pm
    • Seoul
Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2022, 06:17:04 am »
Read your contract.  If you leave your contract early, you might have prorated vacation days. 

They're also quite unlikely to approve vacation days while school is in session.


Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2022, 07:33:27 am »
Might be better to just do a run. This is your first year correct? So no severance and maybe no pension claim too. Just go.
Blocked users; your mom


  • 745sticky
  • The Legend

    • 2505

    • March 26, 2020, 01:52:57 pm
    • Korea
Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2022, 09:48:21 am »
I want to quit my public school job. I don't want to be sued or anything. It says I need to give a 60 day quit notice, but I want to give a 30 day quit notice.

My plan is to give my 30 day notice. Since I have about 10 days of vacation leave, I will teach for 2 weeks and 2 weeks vacation.

no shot they approve that, just pack your bags and make a run for it. obviously you probably aren't gonna get hired by epik again and if you want to continue pursuing work in the country it might be better to just put in the 60 days and do it by the book, but if you're fine with ditching entirely just go




Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2022, 10:56:35 am »
I have a marriage visa. Does that make a difference?


  • Billy Herrington
  • Hero of Waygookistan

    • 1330

    • June 30, 2022, 12:02:07 am
    • China
    more
Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2022, 11:45:52 am »
Go into work on Monday. When they give you your kimchi for lunch, throw it in your head master's face and run away screaming YOLO!  8)


  • Billy Herrington
  • Hero of Waygookistan

    • 1330

    • June 30, 2022, 12:02:07 am
    • China
    more
Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2022, 12:31:48 pm »
Afterwards, get on a plane home, but make sure you go on first class so you can enjoy a celebratory glass of rye.


Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2022, 09:13:48 am »
I have a marriage visa. Does that make a difference?

Depends on your situation. Is the job terrible? Can you tough it out?

You can quit a job here and doubtful the school will come after you but you will be burning a big bridge here for possible future work.

Blocked users; your mom


  • Renma
  • Expert Waygook

    • 632

    • September 01, 2014, 06:09:42 am
Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2022, 10:10:26 am »
You'll be screwing over your school and coworkers if you give them 2 weeks notice or midnight run. Your coteachers and other staff will have to cover your classes and the school will be left dealing with all the loose ends you leave behind. In the longer term, it'll probably sour everyone's opinion on native teachers as well and cause problems for your eventual (if they opt for it) replacement. They won't approve your 10 days off mid semester so that you can leave at the 2 week mark instead of 30 days (really? lol). I don't think they will find a replacement native teacher in that short a time, it's possible they could get a temp Korean teacher though (my previous school struggled to find temps when needed as there was a shortage in the area).

My contract states that if you don't give 60 days notice they will report you to immigration. I wouldn't worry about legal action beyond repaying prorated vacation days (as Mr C suggested), and your flight allowance if you're quitting before the 6 month mark. I don't imagine this would be an issue unless you try to avoid repaying those. It will likely blacklist you from working for that office of education ever again, and EPIK as a whole if that was the path you took. If you live in a small town it may affect your shot at other local jobs as well.

If none of the above is of concern to you, then as the others said it is probably easier to just leave. Since you're married though I assume you will be either staying with your wife or (if leaving the country) returning eventually? If it's possible I would just do the 60 days. It would be better for your school and coworkers, though I think even then the education office and epik/gepik/whoever won't look kindly on you in the future.


  • Augustiner
  • Hero of Waygookistan

    • 1010

    • December 06, 2021, 01:18:06 pm
    • Anyang
Re: Quitting Public School Job
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2022, 01:51:07 pm »
I have a marriage visa. Does that make a difference?

You're clearly looking at what makes a difference on your end, rather than what makes a difference to your school.  Perhaps you have a crappy situation at your school and you don't care if you leave them in a lurch.  What don't you just have an honest conversation with your school?  Tell them you want to leave and you'll give them 60 days but you'd like to leave sooner if possible.  I got into my first public school because a teacher renewed and then had renewal remorse.  I was at a hakwan that was failing from the get go and they gave me a letter of release.  I knew the after school teacher and I stepped in for the guy so he could split.  All parties were happy.