Korean Job Discussion Forums

peachlily · Joined: 11 Apr 2008

I thought I got a great job with a "prestigious-looking" hagwon in the daechi-dong, kangnam-gu area near the end of April. From speaking with the other teachers, all male by the way, they told me time and time again that I was not going to get screwed. I was wrong.

The first thing that should have tipped me off was that I had to pay for my flight here. They said the school could not purchase the ticket for me because I needed to get my F-4 visa first. (I opted not to get the E-2 when I first applied for the job). So I paid. I believed that the American head teacher wouldn't try to screw me over.

During the week leading up to my flight out of the states, I asked where my apartment was going to be. The American head teacher replied that it "would be a day or two". He replied this way several times including the next morning after I arrived. They didn't pick me up from the airport, I'm in Ohri at my friend's apt, thats kinda far. hour about.

I met the principal today (he is owner of the hagwon, which is not a chain hagwon btw), and he was the sketchiest principal I've ever met, the most obvious thing was how UNPREPARED he was. My friend and I just got the sense that he had no idea what he was doing and after I repeatedly pushed on the apartment issue--he says in an uncertain way: We're looking at one that might be ready around June 20th. WTF.

After I complained, the head teacher called me back and said they would concede and find me a hotel/motel FAR from the hagwon. They want me to start teaching this monday. They want me to commute from this hagwon for more than a week--thats if he really meant that I could move into an apt on the 20th. He also offered no form of compensation upfront as in commute money (2 other teachers who arrived days before me had apts ready for them, walking distance to the hagwon). I'm so pissed that he thought that this was really going to be okay with me.

My options? any way to legally hammer him into submission without calling up a lawyer? because I KNOW FOR A FACT that this should not be happening.

What would you do?

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

I think it was a big mistake to pay for your own ticket when most employers would've paid for your ticket. As for the motel, as long as it's livable and your employer is paying for it, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

bejarano-korea · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

mmarshalynne · Joined: 23 May 2008

I was just getting ready to mail out my papers to Hagwon #2. Hagwon #1 had revealed that they didn't want me to sue them and that the truth was they don't pay medical or pensions and they take 10% off the top of every employees paycheck. Hagwon #2 promises as an enticement: sole occupancy of a furnished 2 bedroom apartment supposedly the same as his current teacher with one year old furnishings, and 20 days vacation per year plus Korean holidays.

My contract reads that I get the apartment/house of current teacher and specifies the 20 days vacation. I asked for photos of the apartment from my first recruiter -- he left the company and a new recruiter came indicating he was taking over. I got the pictures this morning. The three pictures are as follows: 1) bathroom shot [The shower is a hose attachment to the bathroom sink.] and 2 & 3) two pictures from different angles of the same bedroom. Is there a kitchen? I'm thinking that something is wrong here. Is this a house with shared living? What is the deal? I've sent an email to the recruiter to ask what is up.

But, I am beginning to wonder is it just a given that you will be promised things that you will not be given and that by enticing you into a situation that you may feel you can't just walk away from (because you are 7,000 miles away from home and need a letter of release to get a job with someone else) they are just conducting what is considered smart business practices in this culture.

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

The pictures that you have been sent are probably for a studio apartment which is the NORMAL accommodation provided by schools to single teachers ... The shower you have described is the norm for Korea ... not just part of a bad apartment ... A studio apartment is basically a one room apartment where the kitchen is one part of the room ... with bed and everthing else part of the same room .... THere is usually a separate bathroom .... (My current one ... which was brand new when I moved in just over a month ago has a very small separate kitchen at the entrance to the studio ... then I walk through into the one room and then through to the separate bathroom ... It is very compact but has plenty of storage for me ... ) ... A studio apartment is NOT an example of being ripped off by a school ... If that is NOT what you want ... then take the housing allowance offered in many contracts ... pay the key money ... and the extra amount probably required to get the type of apartment that you want ...

Catullus · Joined: 09 Apr 2008

Hi Peachlily,

Long time no talk. I am sorry to hear that you are having a rough time. Are you working for the school that we spoke about previously, before you left? I hope that your situation will improve.

nolegirl · Joined: 17 Apr 2008

Wow.. peachlily that really sucks. I would ask someone with more knowledge (ttompatz) if you can work for another hagwon as I think you would have a really long and stressful year if you continued to work for this hagwon. Hope it works out

tigerbluekitty · Joined: 19 Apr 2007

It's quite common for stuff like this to happen to tell you the truth.

All I can say is.. you're not in the States anymore. Welcome to Korea.

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

mmarshalynne · Joined: 23 May 2008

I have had other pictures of bathroom's sent to me that had separate showerheads actually attached to the wall. I saw all sides to the bedroom... separate room... but no kitchen... no sight of the promised washer.... Perhaps, I'm just a little suspicious and a beautiful picture of a kitchen will be sent to me shortly... but so far its just a room and a bathroom... no furnishings... and no kitchen.

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Talk to a foreign teacher already there.

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

mmarshalynne · Joined: 23 May 2008

Swing the balance of power... Get the money for your plane ticket.... then they are invested in you... then make your demands.... By the way, I would have had my hand out for the airline ticket money the moment I walked in their door. What is their excuse for that?

[Sorry if earlier I digressed on your thread.... I was thinking of posting how things are never as they are supposed to be.... and then I read your post, which just illustrated the point.]

peachlily · Joined: 11 Apr 2008

yea mmarshalynne, I am going to demand the airflight reimbursement today. I was told to have lunch with the head teacher and principal today at 1pm. I don't want to because I'm clearly not happy with the two thugs and don't want to eat with people I don't like.
I asked for it yesterday, the principal actually looked CONFUSED. either he and the head teacher don't communicate, or he is just super dumb. Either way, I extremely dislike both men.

They already broke the contractual agreement that both parties signed by not paying for the flight/reimbursement and finding me furnished housing.

Wish me luck today --that I won't lose my cool and fly off the handle...

Stormy · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Location: Here & there

I'd enjoy the hotel but ask for commute money. I, like another poster, don't think that in itself is a big deal. If on the 20th there is still no apartment - then it's a big deal.
I arrived here for a public school job & had no apartment for about 5 days either. No hotels in this town so I stayed with one of the Korean teachers. No biggie.
I guess if the principal seems dodgy though it's another story. Go with your gut.