Korean Job Discussion Forums

[joshuahirtle27]

I am obliged my my contract to fulfill 12 consecutive teaching sessions between the time I arrive in Korea and the last day of my visa (1 year)

[moosehead]

doesn't your contract have a date on it?

it's usually the first paragraph - this contract is dated ____ and ends _____ which is usually 1 year later (sometimes 2).

if it doesn't - and the onus is on you for not catching that!! - perhaps talking to immi might help since all E2s are issued on a 1 year basis - he'll have to extend you if he expects you to stay longer - are you on an E2 ? or what?

maybe if you explain he should also pay you an extra month's severance as well? and it's gonna be easier for him to get a new teacher starting in March rather than April?

try to help him see how this works for him - tho I have to hand it to him he's got a whole new way of screwing w/his NET.

[joshuahirtle27]

[moosehead]

theoretically, yes, he'd need to prorate the 13th month for a 1 month severance - I'm thinking if you at least bring this up he's gonna flash on the fact you aren't swallowing his nonsense calculations.

as for the dates on the contract - not when it was signed - but on the first page - it's standard for any contract, anywhere to have a date as to when it goes into effect and when it ends - doesn't yours have one? heck, if it doesnt, chances are it could be null and void right then there - but of course that would be something you'd have to go to court over, which is pretty undesirable.

so - if the contract is undated, you need to figure out just what exactly it is you can tolerate, then go to him and make sure he understands you expect to be paid for the extra month - and bargain from there.

you also need to emphasize the necessity of discussing this matter with immi - again - if you are on an E2 or even an E1 - they are issued for 1 year - not 13 months - regardless of any contract - that right there might straighten him out - if you are level headed when you go to speak to them, you can have someone there call him and explain it to him why you need to have a contract extension because your visa will expire at the end of 1 year no matter what.

now, this is assuming there is NO date on the contract - so you need an extension to show when the old one started and ended and when the extension is going to take effect. immi isn't going to swallow it you were here 11 months and needed a 1 month extension if he tries to backdate it and you can prove on your pp you were here before then - plus showing paydates in your bank acc.

are you following this? I hope so. just don't lose your head over this he's really trying to screw with you - I don't think this is incompetence - it's more insidious - he's really trying to convince you of his twisted (lack of) logic.

good luck!

[joshuahirtle27]

Thanks :) I think I get it. The contract doesn't have an official start day written on it (yeah, my fault of not picking up on that) and I'm here on an E-2 which I know is only good for one year. The contract comes into effect on my first day of teaching which was the day I arrived... March 4th. I have all of my pay stubs too...

I really don't see how he figures 13/12 months is okay and I somehow doubt he can do anything if I say I'm not going to sign up for an extra month. If I were him I'd be more interested in replacing me ASAP since according to him I'm the worst teacher there.

[sojourner1]

Most of these contracts don't have a start date because the start date is when you arrive and process through immigration at the airport and no one knows exactly when that will be as you wait for your visa. This is one reason why hagwons want you to teach ASAP of stepping off the plane. If you arrived on March 2nd, 2008, then you leave on March 1st 2009. That's the one year contract that is the same as the visa period. Of course you can get an extension.

The only way to get a contract written accurately is to go public school, plan ahead of time of actual start date, and arrive on that date such as February 29th. It's for 12 months at a time, but of course, you can get an extension should you be suckered into that 13th month you so don't want to work, because you're so rearin and ready to go get up outta here.

Check with NPS if your employer is paying in.

[joshuahirtle27]

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Well if he's deducting your portion and NPS has no acct for you...well you figure it out.

[Zyzyfer]

[joshuahirtle27]

My ARC says March 4th and my visa is stamped that I entered the country on the 4th of march. My Visa has a final entry date of the 20th or something like that of April though. I don't know for sure since my passport is at the travel agency getting a china visa on it for Shanghai.

[Zyzyfer]

I believe that the ARC overrides the passport, but you should check with immigration to be sure. If it does, you'll have to get an extension to work there through March regardless of anything written on the contract, which your boss may find to be too much of a hassle. Whether he tries to wiggle out of paying severance is another matter entirely.

[joshuahirtle27]

[Zyzyfer]

[joshuahirtle27]

[kprrok]