Korean Job Discussion Forums

The Bobster · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I�ve been lucky, at least to hear what stories other people tell.

Had a guy try to claim I wasn�t a good teacher 10 1/2 months into my contract (yeah, less than 90 days from severance pay) even though he�d given me a glowing evaluation six weeks after I was hired. Fishy, huh? Told him I had every intention of finishing out my obligation to him, because that�s how my parents brought me up. Time came, he instructed me to buy my own ticket out and he�d reimburse me the same amount as he had when I arrived, when I had also bought my own ticket � do you think the farker kept his word? Coulda gone back and done the work to get my money, but he was just enough of a jerk I was happy to lose $600 just to be shut of him. Did get the severance, though.

That�s it. That�s the worst that ever happened to me. Had some others try to stiff me or nudge me out the door or deny me a benefit that was promised, but I just held firm, smiled and told �em I�ll happily keep teaching their classes while the Labor Board sorts things out, oh, and when they get here let�s not mention anything to them about that Turkish guy in the country on a student visa you passed off to the parents as a native speaker who was substituting last summer �

Thing is, other times I HAVE come out ahead. One time I had asked for an advance on my first month�s salary, and the school forgot to deduct it later . I didn�t notice it myself until after I�d left the school and was going over my bankbook. Another time, the wongjamnim taught my classes for me for 10 days while I flew home to the States cause Mom was in the hospital, and it was obvious I was worried she'd kick it with an ocean between us � no such thing was in my contract, of course - even gave me $300 out of the drawer to buy presents for the kids.

Those two things, just by themselves, more than make up for the missing plane fare from the other guy, of course.

So, what about it? Have I just been lucky, and have you ever gotten the shaft to a major artery? Discuss.

RJjr · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Turning on a Lamp

I've actually come out ahead. No complaints from me.

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

I got cheated/lied to on pension.

Also, my apartment was way way below the standard I had in mind when I was in Canada before coming here, so I guess I got cheated on that. It was basically an inexcusable, yet cheap, pit. The day my hagwon boss would live there would be the day I'd accept it as suitable.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Never got cheated once in Korea. I'd be pretty surprised if anyone has. Korean businessmen are just too honest, IMHO.

Atavistic · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:50 am Post subject:

I got evicted cause she didn't pay rent. She also didn't pay me. She also stole my things.

So...yes.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I had a good 2-year run with a hagwon, honest & pleasant.

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Yep - by all of them in this country.

It's my fault. I'm bad.

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

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

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

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

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

OP- You need better choices in your "poll."

expat2001 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I had this one co worker , a canadian ,who decided that after her first year in Korea , she'd go to England to do her CELTA. The problem was , the contract clearly stated that the employee would get a one way ticket back to the country of origin.
She asked the director , if she could change the ticket's destination.The director agreed , but on one condiition. The teacher would have to teach an adult /ajuma from 10:30 -11:30 am ( the regualr classes didnt start until 3:00 pm. The teacher had to do this 2-3 time a week for a few months . To top it off , she ; the teacher ,wasnt getting overtime ,cause she had less then `120 teaching hours.
About one month prior to the end of the contract ,the director kept on asking questions about the CETLA. For example , "are you still going?"
"how much does it cost?" "Where will you sleep?" "have you completed paying for it?"
Exactly , 2 days before she ; the teacher was about to leave , the director brings her into his office with the contract in his hand. The director points out ,that the contract clearly states that , the teacher will get a ticket to his/her country of origin.but the contract said nothing about sending the teacher to another destination .THere was no way he was giving her a ticket to England!
He ; THE DIRECTOR , said I will give you a ticket to Canada ,and then you can fly to England from canada or I will give you 400 000 won ,and you can pay for the rest of the ticket to england.She took the 400 000
The director knew that the teacher had already PAID for the CELTA.
The next day , it is her ; the teachers , going away dinner , and the director actually put the moves on her
FU#KING KOREANS!!!!

jaykimf · Joined: 24 Apr 2004

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Deception Sums Up Year of 2007
By Kim Tae-jong, Korea Times (December 23, 2007)
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/12/117_16011.html

2007: a year of 'lying'
By Song Sang-ho, The Korea Herald (December 24, 2007)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2007/12/24/200712240001.asp

Bribery for Promotions Is Alive and Well
Chosun Ilbo (November 29, 2007)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200711/200711290025.html

Most Academic Fakes Still in the Same Job
By Kim Soe-jung, JoongAng Daily (November 12, 2007)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2882622

A Country of Liars
by Kim Dae-joong, Chosun Ilbo (July 3, 2005)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200507/200507030027.html