Korean Job Discussion Forums

korea.teacher · Joined: 04 Feb 2009

Hi:

I received a variety of comments recently (both here and efl law.com) over my post about age discrimination at an institute and need to get your opinion on a particular response.

Background. I just started two weeks ago and was told after a few days by the program manager that the owner was angry at me, didn't want to meet me, was considering not reimbursing me for my visa trip expenses to Japan (but changed his mind), would be evaluating me for the next two weeks and then making a decision.

The Reason. The institute manager said my recruiter lied about my age, telling them I was younger than I am. She said the owner wanted to hire a younger teacher. Age wasn't discussed during the application process with the recruiter or interview with the institute. The recruiter knew my true age early on when I emailed a copy of the photo page from my passport and then sent it to Korea for immigration processing.

Tomorrow's the start of my 3rd week, so hopefuly I can get a response on my current status at the institute.

Your Opinion: Some people told me to start looking for another job, some said I should contact the labor office, and some said, well you know.

What do you think of the following email I received from a fee for service agency offering to get involved. Any experience?

"First off, you already know in your heart what the correct thing to do is.

Secondly, you know that because of your lack of Korean proficiency and experience here in Korea, you are completely at a loss for action (which is what they feed off of here).

The reason I asked for your phone number was so that I could communicate these points off the record. Aside from having my own international school here in Yongin, and working with the Police Agency Foreign Affairs Division, I have a job as a counsellor for foreign relations, working with foreigners just like you to get what they need.

I charge a fee for getting things done. Simple as that. It's a several step process, and feel free to weigh your options.

EFL-Law recommended way:

1) Get another job -or- get a lawyer

My recommended way:

1) Give me your hagwon's location
2) Give me a time that you're not working
3) Give me your hagwon's manager's phone number

Considering my fluency in Korean and my vast knowledge of employment laws here in Korea, it has never taken more than a single phone call from my and my senior police detective to get things moving on any situation.

If they are breaking the law or not following your contract, scare tactics work 100% of the time."

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

Too many unknowns here. If the school wants another teacher, why don't you just ask them to transfer schools?

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I'd stay about 10 miles away from that person AND change my phone number.

ontheway · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:48 am Post subject:

If age is really the issue at your current school, then you should just start looking for a new job. If you and the school cooperate, you can probably transfer your visa to the new school and you can get your airfare and severance picked up by the new school.

Sometimes, however, people in Korea have been known to dissemble the tiniest little bit. It may be that age is not the issue at all. It could be a financial problem at the school or who knows, but in any case you should move on.

Of course, they may not want to tell you what they really don't like about you, in which case there may be some other problem that you are not aware of that will make it more difficult for you to get a new job.

In any case, you should get moving and start looking for your new job. You're already in Korea, so you'll have the chance to visit schools and find something better.

Good luck.

Netz

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

How old are you anyway?

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

NoExplode · Joined: 15 Oct 2008

Netz

cruisemonkey · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:57 pm Post subject:

My 'local-dong' gangsters are cool (and rather largee for Ks). They won't let me pay for maek-jju because last year, I 'bounced' an abusive - to the bartender/waitress - drunken, ajosshi out of the hof. Cool

Unbeknownst to me (at that time), the waitress was one of the gangsters' daughter.

I work at a PS and have never had to avail myself of their services... but you never know; and it's always good to have friends in the right places. Wink

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

What's this dude charge? PM me. Very Happy

pogoro · Joined: 27 Apr 2008

"The recruiter knew my true age early on when I emailed a copy of the photo page from my passport and then sent it to Korea for immigration processing."

You are well within your rights. The employer made a mistake in not checking your vital statistics before hiring, if that was an issue. Stick it out, do a good job and don't give him/her any other reason for firing you.
Good luck.

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

Many schools play "hard ball" with older teachers and try to squeeze them out of quite a sum of money. Many schools won't hire older teachers so they figure that you have no where else to go.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Back when I was 40-something, the woman who hired me was a little reluctant because she thought I was "too old." After she saw my teaching methods, the way I handled the class (almost NO discipline problems), the fact that enrollment went up, AND that the students could speak English, she decided that older teachers were a good thing.

If you like your school and your students, stick with it. Prove to them that older teachers can be better than younger ones!!