Korean Job Discussion Forums

bettyspaghetti · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul (Mokdong)

So I went through KIM's Korea recruiting and got a job that I like (the area, hours, etc.). Part of the deal was that the school pays for round trip airfare, not reimburses me for it. That is what my contract says. I am supposed to be flying out on June 3rd and I already have an itinerary for the flight. But then I get this:

_____________________________________________________
Dear Ms. Duncan:

This is Sue, the ***EDITED OUT*** Academy.
I received a tour itinery regarding your flight schedule from Kim's ESL Recruiting company.
And I understand you have to make a prompt payment to purchase the ticket.

Our company's standard is to make the payment of the air ticket after the teacher's arrival in Korea.
Yet, I would like to give an exception to your case; however, I found out that our company credit card is not useable in oversea.
Therefore, I sincerely ask if you could make payment first, and present the receipt upon your arrival.
Then we will give the amount in Korean fund that you can use right away in Korea.

I would appreciate if you send a prompt reply with your thought about it.

Sincerely,

Sue M. Kim
Manager
***EDITED OUT*** Academy.
_____________________________________________________

I only have $1600 and I won't get paid until July 15th. (Maybe a little on June 15th but not much). Also they gave me the email address of one of the girls who works there and she said the bosses were great, the hours are great, but that often they don't pay you on time. Eventually they always pay you just not on time. I don't even know how much this ticket is. And what credit card doesn't work over seas? That sounds totally bogus. Crap I went through so much to get my visa! I have my E2 Visa so what do I do? It seems a little shady...

olabueno · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Location: Busan...as of 7/19

Yeah, just went through a similar problem. Just be persistant. If they say no, then it's really your decision on what to do next.

Have you checked with your travel agent re: accepting payment from Korea? I called three agents before I found a company that would process it.

They could aslo wire transfer the funds. If you stick to your guns, they will find a way to send payment.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

Although being reimbursed is usually not a problem (and these days more normal than the school paying for the flight in advance) I agree that you should be VERY pleasant but equally firm...I'm sorry, I'm simply not able to pay for my own ticket; I'm sorry, I'm simply not able to pay for my own ticket; I'm sorry, I'm simply not able to pay for my own ticket; I'm sorry, I'm simply not able to pay for my own ticket; I'm sorry, I'm simply not able to pay for my own ticket....

They'll figure something out...

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

bettyspaghetti · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul (Mokdong)

Um yeahhh that's what I thought. The travel agent is Korean too. Out of Canada. I didn't book my own flight- I guess the recruiter did it. As soon as it is business hours (it is only 7 a.m. here and thus only 6 in Vancouver) I am so calling the agent!

I forwarded the letter to the recruiter so hopefully they will iron this out. How about the recruiter pays and they reimburse them?

I looked up tickets to Seoul and they are around 1,000$. I don't really mind paying if they really reimburse me. I've just read on here that a lot of time it takes a month to actually get reimbursed despite what they say.

I may have been reading too much Daves ESL but I get the idea that I need to start firm with the school or they will walk all over me. I had this problem in Thailand (even though I really enjoyed working there) working for Nike. Another teacher quit and they wanted me to take over her classes for NO additional pay. Um No.

Hopefully KIMS KOREA will get back to me but it's Sat. in Korea. I am moving out of my apartment. I have quit my job. I just don't know what to do. Going to a new place with like $600 to live on.... hmmm....

Also they kept telling me that my apt is 5 min from the school and then the school wrote that they wanted to know the status of my visa and that they had put down a deposit on my apartment... Um so how can an unknown place be 5 min from the school... They didn't even have an apt yet. The girl I am replacing lives with her bf...

Grrrr.

mj roach · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

some hakwan owner/directors get you to pay your own airfare on promise of reimbursement then once you get here string you along and use it to 'control' you when you find that all is not as represented. change hours to split shift, add saturdays, shoe box/moldy basement housing, force overtime for peanuts...etc. etc.
or worse...you pay and have no/little cash left when you arrive they take one look at you 'change' their mind and dump you in the street. work you for a week then say 'the kids/mothers' don't like you...your accent, too fat, bad teacher etc. etc. think they'll even pay you for the week?
it does happen.
tip - if you're paying for your ticket...come here able to take care of yourself till you find another job
have you read 'flu, fired, and cops' posted by atomjuice2 in the general 'dis' forum? imagine trying to get 'reimbursemed' in a similar situation

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

They can pay for the ticket w/ their card. But, it's understandable that they don't want to as the OP could disappear into the woodwork after arriving and they'd be out the cash while the Op gets a free ride to Asia. Really, I don't blame them. However, if they want you bad enough they will. Money shouldn't be a problem just tell them you need the money reimbursed immediately after arrival and beginning work. I'd say a week is fair. It could work the other way though. I imagine that there have been teachers left in the lurch at the airport cause the boss took one look at them and ran for the door. Very Happy

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

Do not pay for the ticket (unless it's a public school job) out of your own pocket. Make either the employer or recruiter buy you a one-way 'on their dime'.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

This is your first lesson in Korea.

Just say, "No."

Find another job.

It's their loss.

Atavistic · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

My last hogwon job the foreign teachers told me that they always got paid in full, but sometimes late.

I got evicted from my apartment because my boss didn't pay my rent, she owes me over 2.5 still, and she owes my coworkers--the ones who said it was a fine place--over 20 million together (3 people).

DO NOT TAKE THIS JOB.

bettyspaghetti · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul (Mokdong)

So now that I have my e2 visa can I just look for jobs at other schools or am I required as per immigration to work only for this school? I am kind of in awe that they emailed me this on their Friday, and I am supposed to be there on Wed..

I haven't heard back from the recruiter. I know that Hagwons can be hit or miss. I'm in a bad place now though as I have put all my stuff in storage, no job, etc.. I thought my ticket was paid for until this morning.

Grrrr grrrrr.

If the fear of theirs is that I won't show, then couldn't I just pay, say, 1/2 of the ticket? Should I suggest this? Like $500 instead of $1000? And then get them to email exactly when they will be be reimbursing this amount. I am just dubious that they will stick to what they wrote since my contract clearly states that are providing the ticket (not reimbursing)...

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject:

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

Send this email to your boss. [email protected] His English name is John, don't know his Korean name. He has offices in Korea, the US and Canada, and can get the same fares as those from back at home, and your school can transfer money straight to him, or pay with their Korean credit card, as his main office is in Korea.

We used to ask our teachers to do what you are going through, but I changed that policy, as I wanted to show more trust towards our new applicants. Part of it was the price of the tickets, but now that I have found away around that, we are more than willing to pay for our teachers tickets.

bettyspaghetti · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul (Mokdong)

That is awesome. Of course I don't believe that their card doesn't work but it puts them in a position where they have to buy my ticket. I can understand them not wanting to get burned. However, this should be in the contract- not sprung on me 4 days prior to my leaving. I want to have a good attitude. I have worked in Asia before so I know what to expect on some levels. I haven't worked for a Hagwon though, and for my hours and pay I still think this is a really good deal. I will send them that email after I hear back from the recruiter...

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004