Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kill_creek]

I have several questions. Hopefully I can get some advice.

First off, my school is not in the location, which is stated in my contract. I am about 30 minutes away. I am also working at two schools (of the same name - run by the same boss), but I was not informed of this before I came. To be totally honest, my schools actually name wasn't on the contract. My school is only a branch of the name on the contract.

Second, my boss cannot speak English.

Third, it took tem o month to get me a phone. My TV was broken.. that took them a month to fix (they tried to make me pay for the repairs) ... but it still isn't working properly. They say they will help me.. but never do.

Fourth, sent me to Japan with out the proper paper work. (They had to mail it to me) I ended up paying for Hotel accommodations and an airline ticket upgrade fee. They said they'd pay me back. It took a month and a half for them to finally pay me... with constant reminding.

Fifth, my paycheck was short 150 000 won for no reason. The boss made a mistake. Now he thinks he has the right to decide if I will receive it. I have been here a little over 2 months. Still no word on my pay. Also my contract says I get transportation payment (my schools are far from my apt). They didn�t give me enough money to cover the costs.

There are several more little things to complain about but that's enough for now. I just wanted to get some feed back.

Thanks,
Nova

[osangrl]

I'd quit. Screw them. Ive walked out on so many contracts here. A stupid visa isn't worth the hassle. If you think they will not pay you or whatever, wait till your next pay and leave. Pack up your stuff, go to japan come back if you want. Thats what i did, but i made sure i had a place to crash and a couple of part time jobs lined up before actually running. Your boss sounds like an ass. And ur not suppose to work at two schools. Leave. There is so much better out there. Im so sorry that u are in this crappy situation.

[Kyrei]

I don't normally advocate leaving a contract but since yours sounds bogus anyway, and school very disorganised and poorly run, I'd leave. Besides, the two school location thing is illegal anyway.

Kyrei

[Son Deureo!]

Since they're having you work illegally by having you work at two different schools that aren't listed on your visa you've gotta get that changed or get out of there ASAP.

You may be able to convince your boss to rectify this for you, and telling him that you want to talk to immigration about it might light a fire under his ass to make you legal.

If you want out, do you care if you can work in Korea again? If not, then wait until your next payday and run.

If you do care, then things get a bit complicated. You're working illegally, but if you leave without a letter of release, you can't get another E-2 visa. It sounds like osangrl is suggesting that you leave and get a tourist visa and work on that (correct me if I'm wrong), but that's just swapping one illegal situation for another. It doesn't sound like the best idea to me.

Since your boss is making you work illegally, you may be able to convince Immigration to release you from your visa.

In case you haven't already done so, you might want to contact the fine people of www.efl-law.com who can answer some of your specific questions about making you legal.

So far as getting your phone, your TV fixed, and other small problems around your home, I'd suggest you try to handle that sort of thing yourself if you can. A good boss will help you take care of that sort of thing for you, but you obviously don't have a good boss. Taking care of it yourself, enlisting the help of your landlord, or Korean friends who actually care about your well-being unlike your boss will ease some of the tensions in your workplace and be more likely to actually get things done for you.

[osangrl]

just work illegally, yes that is what im suggesting, most everybody does it who cares, don't worry.

[tsgarp]

Since you appear to have poor English skills which leads me to believe you are not a native speaker, If I were you I would count my lucky stars for having an English teaching job at all.

[hellofaniceguy]

No one can use you unless YOU let them. So, why let the school use you and screw you over?

[ratslash]

dude, GET OUT OF THERE NOW!!! before it gets worse, before they owe you even more pay, before they screw you some more. LEAVE!

[bjonothan]

As far as I know you CAN work for two schools at the one time as long as it is stated on your visa. My visa has the name and address on it. Running is not the preferred option in most cases but this guy seems like he needs to experience a few hardships himself. I would line up a job somewhere else and then get my pay and do a runner to Japan and come back.

[SuperHero]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Ummm, then you don't get out much, Supe.

[SuperHero]

[bjonothan]

Actually I think that the recent crackdown on illegals has thinned out the number quite significantly. I did it myself for two years because I was making up to 5.5 mill. a month working for schools that couldn't hire a full-timer. I am sure there are still some around but not on the same scale.

[Homer]

Osang...did you just brag and take pride in the fact you ran out on your employer on many occasions?

If so, thats a bit sad....

[Kiddirts]

trust me, QUIT.