Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevieg4ever]

...since they arrived in Korea?

By abused I mean lied to, had money not paid to them, had money paid late, had documents withheld from them, been forced to work illegally, forced to live in sub-standard accommodation, had to fight for basic amenities stated in their contract such as health insurance and pension, been threatened, been asked to do special 'favours' (ie something ridiculous) outside of their contracts or in the name of culture eg unpaid overtime or cleaning phaeces outside of their room etc etc

You get the general idea. It doesn't have to be one of the above but the offences commited in this country are numerous and therefore too many to list individually, I am sure you'll appreciate.

Lets put this to the test as numerous posters seem to think that people are either a) just imagining these episodes, b) have too much time on their hands and just go around making these things up for fun, c) hold a vendetta against Korea for no apparent reason.

It is quite clearly obvious that these offences happpens far too frequently.
Its a disgrace that they happen at all in my opinion.

[Guri Guy]

I most certainly have been by my first school that I worked for in South Korea. They screwed over many people and are probably still doing so. I worked at a *shudder* Wonderland. I think you can tell from my name where it was located.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Smee]

I've had minor annoyances and frustrations, was once not paid for a three-week winter camp, and once spent a week in a love motel (alone, sadly) while waiting on an apartment. I wouldn't consider any of those to be abuse, compared to what still routinely happens in the English racket. I guess I'm on the fence about the blackmail thing---dropping my case in exchange for keeping my job---but while I consider that highly offensive to me, I'm still not inclined to see that as abuse, simply because taking an unpopular stance on issues will always have consequences. And the minor annoyances---having to put in extra hours here or there, repeated redundant degree checks, having to show up for tons of meetings---are, yeah, kind of sucky, but while those aren't necessarily in our contract, those obligations come with pretty much any job you'll have.

Thankfully I've never had to room with the boss, been withheld insurance, had to forfeit documents, been forced to work weekends, been housed in some roach-infested basement, been forced to tutor on the side, or been physically attacked. I've heard of others who have.

[stevieg4ever]

I just want to leave this to the poll without starting more senseless debate. I have also had salary withheld, been paid late, lived in substandard conditions and been constantly lied to.

By the way I should also add that I am of the opinion that, even after a couple of days, if 75% say they havent and 25% say they have it still demonstrates that abuse and exploitation is still rampant and far too common. Invariably many will disagree...

I thought I would also add that this isn't a dig outright against Korean people.

[nomad-ish]

i think there was a poll just recently about this. it showed that the majority of people that replied had had some mistreatment or abuse from their schools. as for me, i've had problems with overtime pay for teaching workshops, and extra class pay (they decided to pay me per student).

overall though, it's helped me learn a lot of important lessons, as well as how to cover my bases in the future. my only piece of advice to new teachers coming in is to be careful of doing extra work or volunteering to help with things at school.

[IncognitoHFX]

I think a lot of these things wouldn't happen if new teachers started to refuse working at hagwons or afterschool programmes.

[Real Reality]

[nomad-ish]

[Captain Corea]

I've had NUMEROUS disagreements with my employers, but nothing I would categorize as abuse or exploitation.

[tob55]

Lied to, thousands of dollars lost, discriminated against, all water under the bridge, over the dam, whatever you want to call it. Things are good for me here. Better in many ways they were not good back home in the States. Not sure what the intent of the thread is, but no need to cry over spilled milk. If you are working in Korea expect some good and bad things to happen. It happens anywhere else in the world as well.

I enjoy my life here, and try not to think about the negative things that cause me to appreciate less the benefits I have come to enjoy IMHO. Stop and smell the kimchi, life is too short to spend all our time thinking about how down trodden and bleak the situation is because we have been mistreated in some way.

Didn't vote, but you probably already know my answer through this thread posting. Cheers

[blaseblasphemener]

I said yes to the question, since I didn't recieve health or pension for a year at a hagwon job.

However,

When I think back to what I was making working in Canada and for the amount of hours I worked at a salaried job, that was exploitation.

I'll take the Korean work system any day of the week, as it applies to most foreigners. I've never thankfully had to work at a wonderland.

[Ginormousaurus]

I guess I've been lucky. I've had nothing but great employers.

[hugekebab]

[Draz]

I was "exploited" at my crap student jobs back home way more. At least here they pay a living wage.

I've never been "abused" at work though. Just because you don't like it doesn't make it abuse.