Korean Job Discussion Forums

[drexler]

If, for certain reasons, you need to get out of a dreadful hogwan, cannot givew the 6 wks notice, no chance of a release letter...is it workable to bolt and then work illegally for another 5 mths. It's a very tricky and complicated scenario.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

It might work if you relocate a safe distance.

Why not get a six-month job in another country and then come back?

[jmbran11]

It is possible. Quite possible actually. There are many recruiters/schools who will hire you regardless of your visa status. However, you would need to change to a different area, and you should leave your employer with the impression that you've left the country (maybe e-mail a co-worker and tell her that you're back in _____). You will also need to vacate your apartment and find a new one. Don't expect your new illegal gig to give you housing (or any other benefits). If you are not giving notice at your school, you need to vacate the apartment before the day you first miss work, because they will come looking for you. Maybe you could crash with a friend temporarily. You may lose some money in the process while getting a new job. And, you probably won't get any sort of severance, return airfare, or pension refund.

Now, I'm not sure what would happen when you try to leave the country at the end of the year, but my guess is nothing.

[dmbfan]

O.P.

Look............don't work illegaly. Doing that only feeds the fire for bitterness towards English teachers. Just.......suck up and go to China and work a 6 month contract. They are easily available......and who knows? You might have a good time there.

But, do the right thing and keep it clean, ok? You will only be hurting the rest of us if you don't.


Good luck.

dmbfan

[plokiju]

I think it really depends on whether your soon-to-be-former employer reports that you've left to immigration or not. I don't think they would but it's possible and if you ever got caught I think you'd be in a boatload of trouble.

Also, while there may be plenty of schools that would hire you regardless of your visa status, they probably wouldn't rank much above your current place of work. A solid school wouldn't have trouble finding teachers through the proper channels. It's up to you, and is pretty possible, but I don't think it's a very good option. Either tough it out for the 6 weeks give notice and look for a new job during that time or just come back after your visa would've expired.

As far as I know, if the school refuses to give you a letter of release you just have to show that you tried to get one, gave notice, etc. Takes a bit more energy and paperwork probably but your boss can't totally prevent you from working elsewhere.

[drexler]

Thanks for the advice. Someone has already bolted and paranoia is rife. I'll probably end up giving the 6 wks notice. They're gonna screw me somehow but I'll just have to accept that.

[drexler]

...but if it happened that you give the 6 wks notice but they drag their heels on the release letter, is there any way of recording it somehow when you do give the notice? Or registering the fact with the labor board or something?

[ED209]

[plokiju]

The letter of release is more for immigration and doesn't have that much to do with the labour board. The letter of release just cancels your visa allowing you to get another one.