Background:
I’ve been with a school for about a month and half. After realizing I don’t want to stay here, we came to an agreement that I would be free to go when the CNY starts. No troubles. Come this week, I had a concussion that left me knocked out at home and everyone wondering where I was. I was found passed out on my floor and everything seemed ok once the situation was resolved.
The next morning, I was told that my contract would be terminated that day due to my attendance (see below), so I don’t need to go to work anymore. I didn’t mind until the penalty clause was brought up and that 30k would be deducted from my salary, which is all I’ve made so far this month.
About my attendance, I’ve missed 5 days total in 1.5 months. I know that’s a lot, but it’s within what was agreed in the contract. One day was personal, which was scheduled off a week in advance, per the contract. My contract also permits for 3 paid sick days, if I go to the dr and get a certificate.
During the first month, I got 3 sick days; 1 for having heat stroke and being ordered to not work that day. The 2nd I was taken to the dr by my boss for having sprained my ankle. The dr even told my boss that I should stay off it for a day and let it heal since it was pretty badly sprained from a motorcycle accident. The 3rd one, I had a flu with a 40C fever. I went to work the next day and was given a verbal warning for missing 4 days already. I expected it, even though all 3 were documented by the dr.
The end of the month came around, and now we’re to this week. Everything was going fine, except that I mentioned that I wanted to leave this area and go back to Taichung. We agreed that around CNY would be best. But the Tuesday I got knocked out for quite some time from a concussion and was found passed out. Like I already said above, I was told the next day that my contract would be terminated.
Now, the only part I’m not pleased with is the penalty I’m being fined now. I wouldn’t mind paying it if I was still here until later, when I had some time to have some money left over after the fine. But because I’m being terminated early, I’ll be walking away with about $500NT for 15 days work. Is there any recourse for this since my absences were all medically documented and the one personal day was asked for in accordance to the contract?