Korean Job Discussion Forums

zeal · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Location: South korea

I have been looking for a possible new job if my boss didn't want to renew my contract and if I could maybe get a better job. My hours aren't a lot but that wasn't my concern I worked what hours the school gives me. I have usuaully gotten consistently 15 to 25 hours but up to 36 hours a week in work. I usually am given 1 to 1 classes to teach but they don't always show up but I go to school unless I am called and told that class is cancelled and don't need to go until my next class or maybe not at all which doesn't happen too often. Mostly I end up showing up and being there several hours without class and nothing to do. Anyways I asks my boss to have a month off between signing up between contracts saturdays off if the institution starts becoming busier. I am working monday thru saturday with a pretty open schedule for the institute between 1pm and 10pm since I have been working there. I also asked for a week vacation during the christmas and new year break since I did not take any vacation this year. I don't believe that I have strenguously asked for something that is way extreme. I am constantly on time for work I do not show up to work drunk and I have only missed 2 days because I was very sick when I have 7 days of paid sick leave. Now my boss is upset that his school isn't doing good and that I am not wanting to work exactly what I have been. I thought it was ok to consider other employment or changing work but now because of it my boss has told me either sign up again or maybe he wont even allow for that now and now wants to fire me by the end of this month. I am on my 10th month by the end of the month I will be in my 11th month I started last may and I wasn't told until 13th of this month so I haven't even had a day notice. That is my situation so is there anything I can do about working should I sign a contract if he is still willing to sign one for renewing it or should I just get fired is there some ways or place I should go about talking to them about there being just one month in my contract and I wont be getting my bonus since he is just firing me. If he is going to being firing me which looks like the case and it is the 11th month do I still need a transfer letter from the boss to get another job. If I don't need a transfer letter then what is stopping me from getting a new job now can the boss actually take any legal action against me if I left now instead of waiting to be fired at the end of the month if he didn't renew my contract?

I am sorry my post is long I hope someone may have some answers. This is my 4th school in a going on 2 and half years it seems everyone tries to screw you differently here. Maybe someone knows a foreign teachers advocacy here that I should contact.

zeal · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Location: South korea

I was just notified on the 13th from my boss. He just started helling because of the hersey from other co-workers he didn't ask me anything. I am willing to work because he has been a fairly good boss until now.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Your boss can't fire you on your 11th month just because you refuse to renew your contract.

I assume that they didn't actually fire you yet, but if they do, ask for it in writing and go straight to labor board to file a complaint.

They're doing that to avoid paying severance and airfare. Go straight to labor board and they'll straighten things out for you.

poet13 · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:56 pm Post subject:

Yeah, stuff that. He's trying to save himself a wad of dosh by ripping you off.
Like the other guy said. Get it in writing, go to the labor board.

FYI. He has to give you 30 days notice and pay you for it too. So firing you in the eleventh month with 30 days notice carries you through to the end of your contract. I wouldn't re-sign with him for anything.

rawiri · Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Location: Lovely day for a fire drill.

You have rights in these situations. It's not ok for your boss to do what is financially best for him. Have a meeting and then if he persists then call the labour board.

buymybook · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Location: Telluride

Lay low, don't tell him what you plan to do. Look for a job without him knowing and do not tell him you know anything about the Labor Office. If he fires you before your contract get it in writing as mentioned before.

To get what is due to you after your contract period you should search for a job near the labor ministry where you will need to file a complaint.

Call the labor office to learn about the location! They have an English speaker on the phone but in person you may have to go with a Korean to file a complaint. This is the difficult part since you probably don't speak Korean. You could possibly go there and get the form and then fill it out later and return it, however if/when you get a hearing date you will again probably need a Korean, this time to go there with you. Gather evidence if you can i.e. the written notice of firing and hopefully the reasons why they chose to fire you. If you don't get the reasons in writing that could give them more time to invent reasons. You do not want to give them any ideas/reasons.

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

Labour Board; ph 1350, press 7 for an English speaker.

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

Don't leave now unless you are in absolute hell.
It's only two more months.
Demand a meeting. Be civil. Avoid direct threats.
Show your boss the contract and a copy of the labor act.
You can search this site for a copy or pm me and I'll get it for you later.
It's a shame you have negotiate for what is rightly yours but that is what you should be doing. From what you have said I wouldn't run or wait to be fired before talking things over with him. Do call the labor bored to find out your rights and give you the confidence to deal with your boss. Sometimes all it takes is a call from the labor office to put the fear of God into your boss and get your money. The labor board frowns on 11th month sacking. It's a common ploy by hagwons trying to save cash.

Also if your contract promised vacation and you didn't get this may work in your favor when dealing with the labor office. Once your contract is finished and your E2 expires you are free. Since it is only a couple of months and he does fire you, well go home visit some family let the labor board know you are coming back then kick wangjannim's butt

all the best