Korean Job Discussion Forums

Spryguy · Joined: 14 Oct 2007

My girlfriend and I have been here for a month now. I like the kids, I like the other teachers, I even like my boss (I know she's just a puppet for what the director is making her do now).

My question is this. I've already made the decision to quit if they follow through with what they've presented to us.

But in looking for a new school, will my situation be looked down upon because I left an old school prematurely?

We were hired under the agreement that a few of our requests were met. Upon getting here, many weren't met the way we agreed upon, but for the most part we were satisfied and didn't complain. (eg, told we'd get a 2 bedroom and work similar hours, but got a 1 bedroom and work different hours).

Now they're telling us we will have to work 12 hour days, 3 days out of the week, while only getting to leave 1 hour early the other 2 days (we are currently working 9-6, but will now be 9-9 mon/wed/fri).

So are new schools going to be reluctant to take on teachers who left their old school? Or do they even contact the school's we left?

Any input would be helpful. Thanks

daemyann · Joined: 09 Nov 2007

If they're breaking the contract, make your point and be on your way.

As long as you say as much when you apply, you shouldn't have any trouble landing new work. Answer all the questions your new employer has as openly as you can and you've got nothing to worry about.

enns · Joined: 02 May 2006

Absolutely get out that of situation. But break it nicely to your boss, that will help big time if or when he is called by a future school.

Other schools WILL be willing to hire you. My only concern is the new visa rules. Check into if you will need to return home first to begin work at a new academy.

Spryguy · Joined: 14 Oct 2007

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

Spryguy · Joined: 14 Oct 2007

[quote="caniff"]

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

If I'm reading this correctly, and I may not be because it's 5am and I'm just waking up, they're not breaking the contract. This doesn't give you a legal leg to stand on, but if they promised to change the contract or had other verbal agreements and didn't follow through, you shouldn't feel any need to follow through either.
Put differently: you have a moral leg to stand on.

If you quit is up to you of course, but if you do, you'll find another job. I got fired from my first job in Korea after six months and still found another one. It was a little difficult but I did it and now when I talk about it in interviews (in the interest of full disclosure I always do), no one cares because I've had so many jobs since then and have good references behind all of them.

Best of luck to you.

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

This wouldn't be an intensive month schedule, would it? Many people who teach four-five hour days jump up to 10-12 hours days twice a year (for one month each) for the intensive rotation. I hope this is it, because it means you'll be going back to your old schedule in February (many hoggies are on intensive schedules now).

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

How many teaching hours a week does your contract stipulate? Does your contract inlcude a schedule? Like 9-6?

You should be going by a schedule with a maximum number of teaching hours per day. Anything more or outside the stipulated schedule is OT.

120 hrs/month is 30 hrs/wk. An hour is no more than 50 minutes. Under such a contract, you should only be working within a 7 hour schedule at most. With split shifts, it's different, I suppose. Then you'd have 9-12 and 2-6. I guess you could have 8 hour schedules that would make it 9-12 and 1-6. Pretty fkn crazy if you ask me though. By law, they're required to give you an hour break for 8 hours. And this phone work and whatever other administrative bullsh1t should just simply be refused. 6 50-minute classes is enough work for the day. Anything more is more money.

This employer is just a stupid, fkn slave driver. They are not nice. You're being taken advantage of. Lesson learned. See what you can do to make things better for you there. Just see. I'm sure you could present a good case. If they're going to work you like that, you should get paid for it. If not, simply refuse to do it.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

End of the day you should have signed a contract that lays out the total hours and the working hours (9-6, 2-9, Monday to Friday). If that's in your contract then hold them too it. Sometimes schools will switch to a morning schedule for winter/summer camp but then they should be expecting you to work your block in the morning/afternoon vs afternoon/night.

Spryguy · Joined: 14 Oct 2007

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

I'm currently in the process of looking for a new job..after having left my job.

Will you be able to get another job? DEFINATLY.

The problem lies with the new visa regulations. NO ONE has a definative answer on what the hell is going on. Depending on who I speak to my options are (in order of what would be best):
A. Just transfer the visa to new employer - no problem. ETA As soon as it suits me.
B. Get all the docs ready (CRC etc, which I didnt need the first time..i don't know whether you have it?) and then go on a visa run, a bit of waiting around (which isn't ALL that bad) and an excuse to spend a night or two in Japan. ETA approximatly a month, but a fair excuse to relax and do some travelling around korea. (Although trying to get docs organised from Korea is a huge hassle)
C. Get all docs and then go home, visa runs aren't an option anymore, and get a new visa from my Home country. Meaning an expensive flight, a good amount of time sitting at home waiting for stuff to get sorted out and quite a lot of running around. ETA: a month or more + an expensive flight.

I've followed alot of advice on this forum which goes along the lines of "get out of that shitty job asap, and find a better job". And in hindsight it doesnt seem like the best call I could have made. The financial penalties of quitting your job honestly are quite severe (you will have to reimburse airfare - which will be highballed, as well as some other nickel and dime charges). Not to mention the huge uncertainity regarding what you need to do to get a new job regarding new regulations. My advice to you would be to try (obviously if its unbearable, then you can't) to stick it out for a couple of months until visa regs settle down, and then you can get some real answers on the process before you make your move.

joewaller · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Location: Bundang

If you leave, give proper notice and try to remain on good terms. This will help you with your release letter.

In the event that this is not possible, after you finish your notice period you boss is obligated to report the end to your contract to Immigration within 14 days. You are supposed to go with him/her or their rep to do this. This will end your visa and allow you to contract with another company.

How you frame this conversation is important. Make it about immigration law and don't mention the implications of them finishing the procedure (making a letter of release unnecessary).