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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:39 am Post subject: Is it true SMOE states in contract: No release granted |
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Is it true that the public school contracts with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education state that they will not grant a "letter of release" under any circumstances?
Someone working for a school near here told me this. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:41 am Post subject: |
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| If you quit, they won't. Why would they help you out if you screw them on the contract and quit? I guess a family death is a valid reason, but if that's the case, just wait out the contract period before coming back to work in Korea. |
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reactionary
Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Location: korreia
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:53 am Post subject: |
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not granting a letter of release is OK because of a contract? 
2 weeks notice is enough back home, the 30 days most jobs ask for here is fine. it's not enough? what if you end up with a crap school/work environment?
if this is true about SMOE, I'll make sure not to work there. these are jobs, not jail sentences. |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:09 am Post subject: |
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Can someone tell me why you need a letter of release?
Or is it just some mythical thing?
Appreciated.
DD |
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SweetLou
Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Location: mt. bu
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:14 am Post subject: |
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| maybe one finds a job with a better salary and/or working conditions... |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:35 am Post subject: |
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What if you're stuck with a school that treats you like garbage? Or a co-teacher that is difficult, or has a chip on his/her shoulder for having to work with you. It happens.
Someone called it a "jail sentence," and this is exactly what it can be like.
I have a feeling that a lot of people end up just doing runners rather than sticking it out. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:17 am Post subject: |
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| bassexpander wrote: |
What if you're stuck with a school that treats you like garbage? Or a co-teacher that is difficult, or has a chip on his/her shoulder for having to work with you. It happens.
Someone called it a "jail sentence," and this is exactly what it can be like.
I have a feeling that a lot of people end up just doing runners rather than sticking it out. |
Deubel: A letter of release is needed for someone on an E-2 visa to get another job without waiting for the 12 months of their contract to pass.
Bassexpander: Usually, SMOE employees have resources to use outside of their schools. People with a shitey school or co-teachers can work with teachers at workshops, work with their district and with SMOE's main office.
SMOE contracts are pretty solid, and while schools do differ, SMOE does what it can to enforce regulations. |
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jkelly80
Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Location: you boys like mexico?
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:34 am Post subject: |
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| Is it possible to request what part of Seoul you'd want to teach in with SMOE? I would imagine it would be rather difficult especially for a first-timer from outside the country, but I figure it couldn't hurt to try, rigth? |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Deubel: A letter of release is needed for someone on an E-2 visa to get another job without waiting for the 12 months of their contract to pass. |
I'm no expert on immigration in Korea and visas etc..... I asked my question above simply because I would like some factual information about the "letter of relaease". I've been told several times of teachers simply finishing their contract, finding a new job, exiting the country and processing a new visa, re-entering and then working. No "letter of release" required or asked for at all, by immigration.
Nowhere to my knowledge does it say anything on the immigration site about a "letter of release".
I do think that presently, the issue of a letter of release might be a myth. Others in the know can confirm with fact or deny. I'm only stating my suspicions that a letter of release is indeed only a low class "letter of recommendation". That's all.
SMOE's policy is just to try and prevent teachers from jumping ship so easily (after much time and money invested in their position/hiring) and let them have a sober second thought about it. I don't think it has any ramifications about teachers being unable to get another job other than they won't get a recommendation - quite appropriate in most cases where a teacher doesn't finish a contract.
DD
DD |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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True, but without a letter of release, you can't get a new job. Not unless the particular immigration official is high on happy-punch that day.
DDeubel, the LOR is most definitely needed, although some immigration officials at some offices have been known to let it slide. The immigration officials transfer offices every 3 years (I read here) so one city/office can be tough for 3 years, another can be good... then change. I hear Busan is hell these days.
So they're got you, and you're stuck.
I needed a LOR from a 6-month contract, even though the contract was finished. That was 4 years ago. The immigration official insisted. I wasn't happy, because the boss took his own sweet time giving it to me. It wasn't until I caught him at school, in front of 4 other teachers and a few students, and I stuck pen and paper in front of his face that he signed it. In short -- I embarrassed him into signing it.
The LOR is a throwback to Korea's days of slavery, where bosses owned their employees. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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| ddeubel wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Deubel: A letter of release is needed for someone on an E-2 visa to get another job without waiting for the 12 months of their contract to pass. |
I'm no expert on immigration in Korea and visas etc..... I asked my question above simply because I would like some factual information about the "letter of relaease". I've been told several times of teachers simply finishing their contract, finding a new job, exiting the country and processing a new visa, re-entering and then working. No "letter of release" required or asked for at all, by immigration.
Nowhere to my knowledge does it say anything on the immigration site about a "letter of release".
I do think that presently, the issue of a letter of release might be a myth. Others in the know can confirm with fact or deny. I'm only stating my suspicions that a letter of release is indeed only a low class "letter of recommendation". That's all.
SMOE's policy is just to try and prevent teachers from jumping ship so easily (after much time and money invested in their position/hiring) and let them have a sober second thought about it. I don't think it has any ramifications about teachers being unable to get another job other than they won't get a recommendation - quite appropriate in most cases where a teacher doesn't finish a contract.
DD
DD |
Yes, the LOR is needed only if one wants to jump ship. You cannot get a new contract while you are still under a contract unless your employer releases you from it. Do you think there may not be valid reasons for wanting to do so sometimes? |
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ED209
Joined: 17 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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| bassexpander wrote: |
The LOR is a throwback to Korea's days of slavery, where bosses owned their employees. |
A throwback? when did those days ever leave Korea?
Now get back to work you surfs! And think yourselves lucky to have a job in the ROK! |
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