Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

I'm wracked with guilt and feel the need to publicly confess:

A few weeks ago I signed a contract with an after school program (yes, one of the illegal ones). They promised me a position at a public school in the afternoon. The next week they informed me that the position they offered me fell through, but not to worry because they would find me a different school.

A few days after that another agency called me and offered me a position. Afraid that the first agency wouldn't be able to find me a position and tempted by the better offer from this second agency, I accepted their offer. Shortly after accepting this second offer, the first agency called me and told me about a position they found. Needless to say, they were less than pleased that I had taken another job.

Why do I feel guilty? Becuase I reneged on a contract. I make a habit of honoring my word.
If I felt guilty, why did I renege? Several considerations semi-justified my decision:
- I signed the first contract with the understanding that it would start in early March. Only after did they tell me it was mid-March. There was nothing about the starting date in the contract, but they knew when I wanted to start and didn't tell me until I asked. They also didn't tell me until after the contract signing about the unpaid level testing they wanted me to do.
- As I said, I was worried the first agency wouldn't be able to find me a position. If they hadn't been able to, there would have been no recourse for me to hold them to their promise to find me work.
- The second job offer was a better one. I don't think I based my decision on this consideration much; I tried to base it on moral considerations rather than what would work out better financially. But my thoughts aren't totally clear right now and I can't be sure.

Did I do the wrong thing? I don't want people to tell me what I want to hear- please give me your honest assessment.

[shetan]

Dude, I think people dont really care that much.

You got offered an illegal job, it fell through so you took another job.

Its normal to take the best job offered and they are not your friends, so dont wory about it.

[cdninkorea]

[cruisemonkey]

What's with all the moral angst? You knowingly signed an illegal contract, then broke it after the employer renegged. Now, you're all 'twisted'! Go see a psychiatrist.

[cbclark4]

They had a job for you then they didn't that's not a contract they did not deliver there was no quid pro quo, there was no meeting of the minds there was no agreement.

No autopsy no foul.

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

[Michelle]

[mr. positive]

Did you sign a contract to take whatever job they gave you, or to take the job that fell through? If you signed a contract to take the job that fell through, then you didn't break the contract - the job never happened that would have made the contract valid.

[postfundie]

stop feeling guilty....stop it RIGHT now!

[crusher_of_heads]

[PGF]

tip #1: if it's an illegal job, do not sign a contract. do things by word of mouth. do not let anyone copy your passport, visa or arc card.

rule #2: do not break rule number 1

[Return Jones]

Any agency that is offering gray-market jobs has most certainly screwed a bunch of other teachers already. You were probably next in line. I'll take the bold step of speaking for everyone on the board by saying that you have our collective permission to be guilt-free and forget about it! Move along, nothing to see here....

[Mebertz]

Having a code of honor won't help you when working with Koreans. Keep true to your mates, work hard, and go where the money is. If you think bosses won't drop you like a bad habit if they aren't happy with you, or that they will keep paying you when the school is financially troubled because of some 'honor' code, think again. Better yet, ask all the people that have been shafted. Of course knowingly screwing someone over is distasteful, but that wasn't the case here.

Mike

[grnmle]

You sound like an idiot - feel guilty

[Yesterday]