Korean Job Discussion Forums

lch8 · Joined: 26 Mar 2007

I don't even know how to compose a sentence right now...I will try.

I've been at my school for over a year. My boss asked me to extend. I never went home after one year. I recently decided that I wanted to go home for Christmas. I asked her for 3 extra days. My boss said yes on Saturday when I asked for it. Today she called me into her office and told me it wasn't "necessary" for me to return. I didn't know how to react. I kinda just walked away in disbelief.

After my first class I went to her and told her that I didn't understand why she fired me. I also told her that Friday will be my last day and that I'll leave the following Wednesday. I also told her that I wanted to be paid for the entire month. Then she said that she didn't understand why I wanted that. She changed her story and said that she thought I had said I wasn't going to return. I CLEARLY told her that was going to return. I told her my return date when I asked for the time off.

I don't know what to do. In my contract it says I should have been given 20 days notice and a chance to fix the problem. I wasn't given that. There was no problem with my teaching. She also has some shady business practices.

What do I do? What can I do? Please help.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Who's got the number for the labor board?

PGF · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

lch8 · Joined: 26 Mar 2007

Anyone been through something similar? Is it too much to ask to get this month's entire salary even though I get paid the 25th and I finish working Friday?

insynch · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Location: canada

This site might help.

http://efl-law.com/globalforum/

Countrygirl · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Location: in the classroom

Clearly you are in shock. Just remember this is not about you. Probably you crapwon boss needs to dump someone and thought it would be easiest to get rid of you.

I was fired twice at my hogwan for calling in sick (I really was sick -- they told me to just come to school and sit in the classroom -- just need a warm foreigner body in the room). Changed their minds once I was better. If I remember correctly, if they fire you they have to pay for your airfare home. Read your contract.

Look at this as a blessing. ESL teachers are in more demand now than before due to immigration issues. Find a better school, get a better wage, and move on. Loyalty and hard work means nothing to some owners. Plus she seems to be full of crap. Fight if it makes you feel better. But really, do you want to fight to stay there?? Just don't take it personally. I doubt it has anything to do with your teaching abilities.

babtangee · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject:

If you've been working for her over six months, she has to give you 30 days written notice (and/or equivalent wages). Call the labor board, they will confirm this. Tell her this, or have the labor board tell her.

But then, I don't know if that means you will be home for Christmas or not. You might want to negotiate a shorter notice period (the contracted 20) if being home for Xmas is important to you.

The Hammer · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

Always Know...

When to Bail!

lch8 · Joined: 26 Mar 2007

I know its not me. She's just a money grubbing b*tch. I don't want to fight. She did change her mind and tried to make it all better but I told her it was too late and that I was leaving. I want to leave by Monday. I just want her to pay me my full month's pay for this month even though I get paid on the 25th.

boyne11 · Joined: 08 Jul 2007

shaunew · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Location: Calgary

I would ddong chim her. Then fish hook her, pull really hard until her head is facing you, with her mouth open spit in it and push her to the ground. When you walk over her give her a good bye kick to the ribs.

P.S. if you do this please record it and put it on youtube.

Dome Vans · Guest

Get the Labour board involved.

This hopefully should scare the hell out of her, especially if she's has some dodgy practices. Check and make sure that your tax and insurance has been paid by her.

Get the money that's owed to you.

Split.

Blacklist the school.

As mentioned before, find a better job, you'll be in demand now.

Be happy and enjoy your work and feel needed.

The Hammer · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:36 am Post subject:

Yeah put 'em on

That'll teach 'em!

buymybook · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Location: Telluride

You need a 'work release' letter if you want to return and work in Korea. Do not tell her what you will do, you could inform her that you know something about Korean labor laws and that even though your contract says 20 days, the law is 30 days and that you expect her to abide by the labor laws.

Ask her to give you the notice in writing. If she doesn't give you the "work release"(which she probably won't), you are F*****.

Keep your cool and you have to determine whether to go to the labor ministry before or after receiving your last payment(s). Either way, the Hagwon may not pay you your last payment. How many employees work there? If there are 5 or less, your Hagwon will only receive a SMALL fine for not paying you and they don't care since the fine is probably smaller than your last payment.

lch8 · Joined: 26 Mar 2007

I went in today. I told her it was my last day and that I wanted a month's pay. Her husband was in the room too and he got mad and started barking. I stayed cool. She changed her story a few times and she even bargained to have me go home for Christmas and have me return on the 31st. She said that's what she was trying to tell me all along. She's effing lying because when I had gone in on Monday I told her I was planning to return and she told me she wanted to finish the contract early. I told her that when she said that she had terminated the contract/fired me. She said that's not what she meant.

I told her I didn't want to have to call the Labor office and her husband acted like he dared me to do it. At the end we settled for 1/2 a month's salary.

What would happen if I were to call the Labor office now? I know they don't pay medical. They do take out taxes but I have no idea if they actually pay them to the government. I'm here til Monday.