Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ohmybuddha67]

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1. Signed a contract for 2.3 which was changed to 2.15 after arrival despite my protests. And they decided to change it well before I arrived and could have notified me.

2. Working 9 hours a day now instead of the usual 8 and getting no overtime pay as stipulated in the contract. (they make up the rules as they go along, and to hell with the contract)

3. No 6 month evaluation, also in the contract, because it comes with a pay raise and they don't want any part of that.

Those of you who know English Channel know that these are in addition to already getting NO paid vacations, 2.0 base salary for 40 hours of work and only one way airfare reimbursement after the contract is finished; clearly worse than the average hagwon.

And for this branch you can add severe micro management that makes you feel like a child, constant change, no consistency, always drama and BS with Korean staff who act as spies for the boss, and a boss who is as clueless as they come and only got the job because she is the owner's sister. This is definitely a hostile environment with a lot of distrust and one in which we foreign teachers are not even close to being equals with the Korean teachers.

I have worked at 5 hagwons in Korea and this is the worst managed of the lot. I am not anti Korea, so don't misinterpret this. But as 4 of us are leaving soon (3 in the middle of our contracts) they will be hiring and I felt prospective teachers should be warned.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[sojourner1]

That's absolutely awful.

[TheChickenLover]

If they adjust the contract w/o your consent, then you should simply suggest they would be happier with someone else. Also state clearly that you would never have come work for them if they used the adjusted final contract as your final offer.

Walk away, find a better job & be happier in life.

Chicken

[ohmybuddha67]

I was in a financial situation where I couldn't afford to walk out, as much as I wanted to. Even after I refused to sign the new contract they still changed it on me anyway. I'm finished here in two weeks and looking forward to leaving.

[jangsalgida]

You say they sent you a 2.3 contract which you signed, the problem is that they didn't sign it, correct? They sent you an unsigned contract, well go figure! If it was signed(probably wasn't) take it to the Labor Ministry.

Did you contact Mr. Webster/Stonefield? They probably wouldn't support you because the contract wasn't signed by English Channel. What are you complaining about? You shouldn't be surprised with all that Hagwon experience you say you have.

You bit on their bait and are quiting early, so you will not get severance until you find another job and complete the contract 1 year from whenever. You are shooting yourself in the foot by whimpering out. Working at 5 Hagwons doesnt' mean much, have you ever fulfilled a contract until the end?

[aka Dave]

[jangsalgida]

[aka Dave]

I have no idea what the OPs contract situation was. I was just saying it's wrong for someone to send a contract and then change the terms when the other party signs it.

If you're saying newbies beware, I can't argue with that. That goes along with what I was saying. Newbies beware, there are scumbag hagown bosses in Korea.

Honestly what's your angle? Do you work for some sleazy recruiting agency? I can't imagine any foreign teacher approving of this type of behavior. Kind of baffling.

[jangsalgida]

Never said I approved, but I doubt the contract was signed by the employer when it said 2.3 so therefore it doesn't mean anything. It's worthless until signed, common sense should tell most folk that.

[ohmybuddha67]

jangsalgida

Stop whining and grow up. Is that the best you can do? How about bend over and take it? Yes, I have finished a contract; several actually. But I take exception to someone trying to take advantage of me or others. Now maybe you play the part of good little soldier. But those people get walked all over here. I know where I'm at and I do expect this sort of thing from time to time, but not from a big franchised institute. And even though it happens, am I wrong to expect a contract to be honored? I'd be interested to hear how you'd have handled this situation, since you obviously have such strong feeling on this subject. And there's a big difference between warning and whining, my friend. Seeing you get all worked up is pretty amusing, though.

[jangsalgida]

[ohmybuddha67]

Didn't anyone ever teach you not to talk with your mouth full?

And the contract was signed, as was the amendment (new contract), which I refused to sign. I could cut them up into little pieces and mail them to you as a puzzle.

[jangsalgida]