Korean Job Discussion Forums

meangradin · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

I constantly read about all the problems people have with their jobs, and I really do sympathize with them. However, I have lived in Korea on and off since 1995, and in that time I have worked at every type of school there is, and I can honestly say that I have never had a serious problem with a school treating me poorly. The worst thing that happened to me was a school once tried to include Saturday and Sunday as days off when it came to my vacation time, but as soon as I told them I did not agree, they accepted my position. Knowing that it is human nature to only say the bad, and not the good, I was wondering if I am alone in this experience?

However, just to be clear, I do not doubt for a second the veracity of many of the problems mentioned on this board.

LuckyNomad · Joined: 28 May 2007

Been here for about a year. No problems. No complaints.

seoulman1 · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Location: Jamsil

A Korean will look you over and instantly recognize your screwablity.

most people just get screwed because they are askin for it..

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

You should be a rape counselor, seoulman.

And lucky--- awesome avatar. I'm a fan too.

LuckyNomad · Joined: 28 May 2007

I was wondering if anybody else in this world knew Bone.

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

LuckyNomad · Joined: 28 May 2007

Ginormousaurus · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

4 years and no problems. I was once paid late (on the following Monday instead of Friday) because the owners of the hagwon were on vacation. However, all teachers were given 500 000 won to get us through the weekend.

faster · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

5 years, no problems.

Homer · Guest

meangradin,

Here since 1997 and my experience mirrors yours.

But some people do indeed end up in a bad way here.....as well as some people do create their own problems.

Nextyear · Joined: 30 Jun 2005

Sorry guys. No matter where you work there are always some problems. It's how you handle it to solve them.

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

kermo · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:29 am Post subject:

The only place I had real problems was a hagwon gig I hastily accepted. I took it on the recommendation of a Dave's poster I didn't know very well, and I failed to noticed the lack of pension and health care-- it didn't even occur to me that they would try to get away with that.

Anyway, the workload was ridiculous, so I calcuated what was physically possible to accomplish, and told them that they couldn't expect more. The management tried to confiscate my passport, and I told them to give me a good reason or forget it. They told me I wasn't allowed to have fun or play games, but when the kids finished their work, I let them practise or review in a game format. When they gave one of my co-workers the The Royal Screw-over, I got the hell out.

I reckon it was my fault for being there in the first place. The other 5/6ths of my time here has been quite contentedly spent.

As for other people who have serious problems, there will always be irascible characters who churn up muck wherever they go, and there will always be naive or feckless types, but I will happily acknowledge that some bosses are just horrible people.

LuckyNomad · Joined: 28 May 2007