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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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daisy
Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Location: Ulsan
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:20 pm Post subject: HELP, I need advice on breaking my contract |
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I am sure this is an old issue, but to me it is new. I have only been at my school for five weeks but feel I cannot stay am am not sure of the ramifications of breaking my contract. I have a 60 day out clause, and if I have to will work it out, but think the situation is untenable. You hear all the horror stories of hagwon owners, but of course I did not listen, and I am sure that my director has some fine qualities hidden somewhere.
In many ways he appears to be a decent sort of guy, but very picky on little things. I can live with that, but after a misunderstanding about a child in one of my classes, his English is worse than the students, he called me a liar (that is the short version), something that has not happened to me in work situation in 25 years. So gone is all respect, integrity and the like. I have to get out, I know many would let it go over their head, but given my working conditions, I consider it the last straw.
So this is the problem. What will happen in terms of my visa if I leave? Do I have to give the 60 days notice? Can I just go and find another job? I am at a total loss at how to go about things. I have read much good advice to teachers with problems on this site. Please help, all opinions greatly appreciated.  |
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Skarp
Joined: 22 Aug 2003
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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Contact the EFL LAW site.
http://www.efl-law.com/
They seem to know the legal angle.
I am not sure what your exact situation is, but I beleive in hinges on the release letter.
Like I say - I don't know but I wanted to post you a reply and the website address.
Keep calm and don't burn any bridges. Easier said than done, I know.
Skarp |
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VanIslander

Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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You've been there 5 weeks? Swallow your pride and finish the three weeks on your bailout clause. You will already have cost the hagwon a pretty penny by bailing so eary into your contract after they paid for the recruiter and your airfare. Consider it the least you can do. Inform the employer of your decision and stick to it.
This advice operates on the assumption that you are on your first trip to Korea and take the "liar" comment as some form of outrageous abuse. If that's the worst you deal with, then can't you go a couple of more weeks? Do the right thing. Especially if you want to teach in Korea in the future.
But if you feel intimidated by your director to the point that you fear for your safety (whether or not it is justified) then up and quit tomorrow.
And daisy, if you have no plans to come back to Korea to teach, then you'll probably up and quit tomorrow regardless what I say. |
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Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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VanIslander wrote: |
You've been there 5 weeks? Swallow your pride and finish the three weeks on your bailout clause. You will already have cost the hagwon a pretty penny by bailing so eary into your contract after they paid for the recruiter and your airfare. Consider it the least you can do. Inform the employer of your decision and stick to it.
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I think the 60 day bailout clause means the OP is expected to give 60 days notice when he quits.
So far as the money the hogwon owner spent to bring him here, who gives a flying leap? The OP also made sacrifices, leaving his home country, family, and friends behind to teach in Korea at this school. The hogwon owner should consider how much he has to lose on a teacher running out on him before he decides to treat a foreign teacher like dirt. It sounds like there was a bit more than one incident that's making him want to quit.
EFL-Law can give you better legal advice, but the OP doesn't mention anything about the hogwon owner breaking any laws or contract clauses. It sounds like you're also hoping to keep working in Korea. In order to do that, you'll need a letter of release. You'll have to negotiate with your boss for that. If you can't convince your boss to give you one, or convince Immigration to release you from your contract, your choices are to leave Korea until your contract term expires or stick out your contract until it expires before you can get a new E2 visa here. Korea sucks that way. |
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sandstorm
Joined: 24 Aug 2003
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 2:19 am Post subject: |
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Are you in Seoul? I heard the Mok Dong immigration office won't even look at a letter of release unless you've been working for 9 months. But what goes for one office is different at another.
I think you might find yourself in a bit of a bind trying to get a letter of release from your director. I really doubt that after just five weeks he's going to be happy to let you go.
I don't have much advice to offer you, except that finding a good job here in Korea, a good hagwon job, is a crap shoot. Finding people in Korea who haven't had at least some significant or many problems with their hagwon director is also pretty hard. Your chances of finding a decent place to work and honest director are probably one in a hundred. Sure, leave your job but your likely to find yourself in a much worse situation
If you don't like Korea, cut your losses and move on. If you do like it here, then I think you could come across a lot worse situations than your boss calling you a liar. |
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daisy
Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Location: Ulsan
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 3:36 am Post subject: Thanks for the advice |
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Thanks guys, maybe I should try and work it out before I cut off my nose to spite my face. |
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Homer Guest
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 7:14 am Post subject: |
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Daisy,
Perhaps you should try to put things in perspective.
5 weeks? Thats still in knee jerk reaction period.
Give yourself time to adjust.
If that doesn't work out, do the right thing and give your employer notice.
This might cost you something like the air ticket he paid for you...but thats just part of the contract you signed (usually). |
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VanIslander

Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 8:00 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, yeah.
Homer, if you keep giving such good advice you'll lose your right to your handle and avatar. |
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