Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peterteacher]

I'm American male teaching at Korean Hogwan in Gwangju... been here just over 8 months now. It's been extremely difficult communicating with my director... first of all she's a WOMAN! (Nuf said) Seriously though... She speaks hardly a word of English even though she's been doing this for over 5 years(!?)

Last night I was informed of the Hogwan's "final decision" to fire me.

I've spent the morning researching this site, and here's a checklist that I've come up with:

1) Find out length of notice for termination they intend(ed) to give me vs. what's required by law. Rumors say 1 month standard? My contract doesn't specify anything.

2) Get termination notice in writing

3) Obtain LOR from immigration office, so I can get a better job.

4) "drop by" and Apply for a refund from the pension office.

5) File a complaint with the Labor board... regarding unfair firing in my last months with no compensation.

6) Report the hogwan to the Tax bureau office for mismanaging taxes.

7) Go back to work in the usual hostile environment that I've grown accustomed to these past 8 months.

Let me repeat that since all communications with my director requires UN style meetings, it is extremely stressful for everyone involved in negotiations.

My reaction to the news:
I was shocked, upset, worried, angry, insulted. The reason they stated was that there'd been numerous complaints by students and parents against me.... It's true that in the past few months there had been meetings informing me how bad of a teacher I was, but no real effort to demonstrate how to improve. Just complaints.


An interesting (related?) aside:
Recently I/ we were investigated by Foreign Affairs for teaching illegally at a public school. No results to report on that affair, yet. I say "we" because my hogwan paid me for the gig, and even had a contract with the school. That's how "we" got caught. Actually it was mandatory work that I protested, but they were greatly angered by my audacity, etc... By the way... a lawyer (misinformed or disingenuous) even said I was in the clear teaching there, even without informing immigration. Now I know it was a bad bad thing



PLease reply with helpful suggestions and concerns

[SeoulShakin]

Your list looks good, but was it really necessary to put she's a woman in such bold lettering? Is that really relevant?

[Tony_Balony]

Women are kind, understanding, gentile,nurturative and supportive. Thats the stereotype anyway, so are you expecting compassion from her?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

#3's the only really important one if you want to stay in Korea and #4 if you want to leave. Save #6 until after you've got #3, unless you have trouble getting #3.

[peterteacher]

THere was supposed to be an evil smile there. Meaning... "just joke"

Seriously, tho... most of these Korean forums assume boss is male gender. Both Hogwans I am familiar with have female owners/ directors.

I'll going in to work, now... cover me!

-PTeach

[CentralCali]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[garykasparov]

LETTER OF RELEASE

Teacher Name:

Nationality:

Passport No.:

Address:

Telephone No.:

First Name & Last Name has been working at Name of school from month day, year to month day, year in the position of Foreign English teacher. He was notified of dismissal on September 3, 2007 and his last day of work was on month day, year. I, Director First Name & Director Last Name consent to the above employee working for another English school or English academy.

Dated: month day, year

School Name:

Address of School:

School Telephone No.:

Employer Name:

Employee Signature:

Employer Signature:

/SEAL/