Korean Job Discussion Forums

tombirner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007

Fellow teachers,

I signed up to do a winter camp at a solid-seeming university in Seoul. My contract states that the school is under duty to provide each teacher with one bedroom to his or her own free of charge (or something like- basically it says quite unambiguously that each teacher is supposed to have his own bedroom, either in his own studio or in a 2BR apartment with another teacher). I get here and they say they are putting me into the same one room studio with another teacher. I actually didn�t re-read the contract until today and now realize they are blowing off the contract. When I called them out on this, they said it was a translation mix-up or typical horse$hit, but the English version, which is supposed to be binding and provide us with some security, is not open to interpretation.

They are clearly working outside the contract. Before I went back and realized I was supposed to have my own bedroom, I requested my own place and agreed to pay 300,000W for it, which didn�t please me then and obviously doesn�t please me now. I think they probably just have me by the balls� I don�t get paid until the last day.

But out of principle and also because I�d rather keep the money I�m owed, even if it�s only a few hundred thou, is there anything I can do?? Some labor board or something I could take it to? It�s a very black and white issue, and I assure you I am in the right. They basically told me they�re sorry but it�s too late and there�s nothing that can be done now. I have no power, really, because I am really counting on this paycheck to fund my vacation to follow.

Also, if they can just ignore this aspect of the contract, who�s to say they won�t do it again? Seriously, what power do I have to stop them from finding some BS reason to fire me the last week of the camp, so I don�t get paid?

Appreciate any help. I doubt I�ll even go through whatever hassles to hang on to 300,000W, but I want to make sure I at least have an option if I get screwed over on a larger scale sometime in the future.

Beej · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Eungam Loop

Dont do the camp. Fnd another. There are plenty out there.

tombirner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007

Are they still advertising anywhere? I thought it was pretty late to find another... plus, I'll have an issue with switching my visa.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

It's a camp. You will be staying in tents and roasting hot dogs over a fire.

Jandar · Joined: 11 Jun 2008

How long is the camp?

It takes Immi 2 weeks to get around to investigating.

tombirner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007

It's less than a month. It's actually no big deal... 300,000W. Just the principle pisses me off.

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

School is letting me do a winter camp...anyone know of any?

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

School is letting me do a winter camp...anyone know of any?

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

poet13 · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:32 am Post subject:

For 300,000, I hope it's an 8 hour day, or two short days. Don't do the camp. They want to feck with you and save a few hundred thousand. Feck 'em. Walk away.

lawyertood · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:14 am Post subject:

I believe the 300,000 is his out of pocket for his own place and not the pay for the camp.

poet13 · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:35 am Post subject:

Yes, I see that now. But still I say, if they want to muck about for a few hundred thousand; walk away.