Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mush]

I just wanted to share my experience as a warning to those who are thinking about terminating their contracts with BMOE early.

Here is the situation: I have been working at a middle school through BMOE since March, 2009. I was recently offered a university position here in Busan, which put me in a tricky situation. Long story short, I accepted the university position and gave BMOE and my school the 30 days notice required to terminate my contract early. While obviously far from an ideal situation, I timed my termination to cause minimal disruption for my school and BMOE. I will finish the semester and leave at the beginning of the summer vacation, which means the new teacher can start at the beginning of the new semester (thus attending orientation, etc.).

After reading through the original "Busan School District Screwed Me Over" thread (http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=164602&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=BMOE&start=15) I was fully aware that I would not receive a release letter and had therefore given myself enough time to leave the country, cancelling my visa, and to start the visa process anew.

So, yeah, everything was looking good. That is until someone at BMOE took it upon themselves to contact the Director at the university and to tell them that they should not hire me because I was 'breaking a contract' with BMOE! The university subsequently contacted me and withdrew their offer of employment. So now, I have given my notice to terminate my contract for a job that I am no longer being offered.

Wonderful! Thanks a lot, BMOE. You've been very helpful!

[Caffeinated]

Sorry to hear. I guess this should be a warning to not divulge details of your next job to your current employer if you're breaking a contract. Did you explain to the university director how you had made arrangements to cause the minimum of disruptions to your current school?

[Seoulio]

Part of me feels for you, but then another part of me says this is Karma coming back.

You didnt like the job so you look for greener pastures, and your original job is upset by it.

In the end you ARE breaking contract and what if you are not happy at the University? Then you are just as likely to break contract again.

To me this is info the new school has a right to know.

When I started for SMOE I told them flat out that I was working for a slave driving hogwon and I was breaking contract to work for them, but I also gave them reasons why I would not break contract.

You should have been honest with the University up front, youd likely still be employed by them

[Mush]

Thanks, Caffeinated. I agree. Definitely a lesson to be learned here: full disclosure can come back to get you. I have sent an e-mail to the uni director explaining my side. I'm not expecting anything to come of it, though.

[Mush]

Fair points, Seoulio.

However, looking at my employment history (over 5 and a half years in Korea) will show that I have not made a habit of breaking contracts (this would be the first). On the contrary, I have regularly extended contracts to cater to my employer.

It would have been clear to the university from the dates on my resume and my response in the interview when asked about my employment history ("I have just started my second year at the middle school") that I would have to finish the contract early. Had I been asked directly, I certainly wouldn't have shied away from explaining my situation. Further, I did inform the university via email over a week ago (on Friday, the 11th) that I would be terminating my contract early so would need to start the visa process from the beginning. That seemed OK with them. That is until the vindictive beings from BMOE contacted them.

[Sector7G]

Giving 30 days notice as stipulated in the contract is not "breaking" a contract, it's following the contract to the letter.

I am not trying to play with words, either. "Ending" a contract early by following the terms of the contract is not even close to "breaking" a contract, like quitting without notice, for example. The only Karmic connections as far as the OP is concerned should be favorable ones, though in the OP's case he or she may not see them right away.

[Juregen]

[Seoulio]

Mush,

I don't really know what your work situation was like, and I am in no way trying to judge you, My comment was only meant as a kind of comment that you did in fact "break" the contract, and the BMOE while vindictive and petty, simply told your employer that.


I broke my first contract, and was always worried that they would tell my next jobs this.

I do not agree with the last poster that its ground for a civil case, ( however I am not saying I am right, just that I do not agree) If they said you showd up to work on time and were a good teacher that would be reporting accurate facts, if they phone up your next job and say "he broke contract" then thats an accurate fact too.

I definately feel more sympathy for you than I feel you "deserved it" or anything. I am not saying you deserved it, it sound like a crappy thing they did to you. WIth any luck this will be a blessing in disguise and you will have a chnace to work for someone who really appreciates what they have.

PS if your University was willing to renig on the deal so easilly, would you really have wanted to work for them anyway

Good luck man.

[kpmth00]

I find what BMOE to be very unprofessional. You followed protocol and you say that you did the best you could to lessen the blow.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

[ontheway]

[WadRUG'naDoo]

[WTP Trust]

[Senior]

You didn't break the contract. When you sign you are not legally or morally obligated to stay for the full year. You gave 30 days notice, which is plenty. Anyone who says you are "breaking" the contract is an idiot. You should give the education office a piece of your mind as well. Contacting your new employer is a dick move and could probably be viewed as slander, considering that it cost you actual financial harm.

[discostu333]

Surely giving 30 days notice is not 'breaking contract' if the option to do so is written into the contract itself?

Sounds like the OP did everything they could to avoid causing disruption to his/her school. I don't see a problem with this if a better job offer came through.