Korean Job Discussion Forums

jadarite · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject:

Here's my 2 cents.

It is great that we can get an exit order, allowing us to change jobs. However, I strongly suggest people think twice about making use of this option. Make it choice D, E, or F (for failure).

I worked at two hagwons and there were several times, if I had known about this option, I might have dished out the cash and flown out of the country. Instead, I was able to negotiate my way out and get the LOR and transfer as ttompatz mentioned.

This saved me all the hassle and headaches of finding a new school. Just because you leave, your chances of finding a better school do not improve abroad. They actually decrease. You can meet with schools if you stay in the country and make sure it's a school you really want to work at. This will secure a more healthy working environment for students and teachers (which are the two most important people in all this).

In addition to this, if we teachers abuse this option of getting an exit order when things don't work out, then other things like housing might go. If schools lose money because teachers are splitting, how are they going to deal with it? They are going to find out where they are spending money.

In Japan, they don't care how many degrees you have. You have to pay your own rent. Considering in Korea, they usually sign 1 year contracts for apartments, it's not that hard to imagine them pulling the plug on free accommodations. They haven't seen the light yet.

Of course, if you haven't been paid on time, use the exit order strategy, but please consider the implications of doing a quasi-midnight runner and what it will do in the long run.

Exit orders can be a great short term solution for a serious problem.

cheeseface · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Location: Ssyangnyeon Shi

But then again getting an f2 does mean that you will be legally married and unless you want to commit to that person honestly for the rest of your life, it's a pretty shotty thing to do just to get a visa.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

I was just informed that they don't want to give me a LOR until they know for sure that they will have a new FT. I was told my request is "unreasonable" because other teachers here commute from Seoul (2 hours away by subway), so why can't I? Then they wanted to know the details of my wedding plans (since they know I'm moving to be closer to my fiance so our lives will be easier after marriage). I told them we haven't made any concrete plans yet, so my coteacher / handler said I should remain here until I am married, then I can find a new place and a new school. My fiance lives nearly two hours away as well.

What I didn't tell him is that the family thing is only half the reason I'm leaving. The other half is that I find this job extremely unsatisfying and the better I am at my job, the more work / headaches I'm given. They said if I could find a new FT to replace me and stay here until after they arrive, that would be reasonable. As it is, I gave them two month's notice, and am leaving just before Winter vacation starts, effectively giving them until March to find a new teacher.

But the principal is worried about the kids who want to attend winter camp. I told them that for the last 4 camps I did, a maximum of 8 students signed up, and of those, only four remained the last day of the camp. The students here just aren't interested in learning English (or school, for that matter).

I'd like to stop working effective immediately, but I don't have my criminal background check so I cannot apply for my new visa yet. I was told that if I'm transferring my visa I won't need a new CBC--only my LOR, diploma, transcripts, contract, health check, and passport photos.

gangpae · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Busan

Be careful, the dude down at immigration or what ever government office you'll have to deal with might interpret the rules differently from ttompatz.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Sweet pea · Joined: 13 Oct 2008

I had a contract with a school (not through EPIK/GEPIK) that had a clause permitting me to terminate early with 30 days written notice. I applied for and got a job with EPPIK/GEPIK and gave my written notice.

The principal tried to tell me I couldn't leave til the end of my contract. I could, and did, and had no trouble with immigration or my new job. The school was angry because they didn't want the work of finding a new teacher.

harryh · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: south of Seoul

My wife finishes her contract on 30th November and gave notice that she would not be renewing her contract.

The boss hasn't got a replacement lined up yet, and has told my wife that she has to stay until he gets a replacement.... yeah right pal. Control freaks here.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Rob'sdad · Joined: 12 May 2008 Location: Seoul

Young FRANKenstein

nuthatch · Joined: 21 Feb 2008

harryh wrote:

Beej · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Eungam Loop

This notion of "I forbid you to quit" is very common in Korean workplaces. I have had many Korean female friends in this situation. Despite my advice, they all stayed at jobs they hated months and months after they wanted to leave. I guess the bosses think this will work on foreigners too. Ridiculous.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:

OP,

Your problem is you told the truth. In L-land, in a situation such as yours one should NEVER do so. One should make up a load of BS that allows the K to 'save face'; while, at the same time, preparing to defend against the enevitable vindictive attacks the K will make when he/she finds out the truth. Creativity and timing are everything.