Korean Job Discussion Forums

[canoe_jesuit]

I just started a job.. My first day is on monday.

I arrive to school (and my apartment) to discover they changed the contract - 25 students per class, is now 40 students. They changed my office conditions, and they put a woman with 6months of teaching experience as a McManager to keep us in line, and they give her less hours and more money (she's only been there 6months). They told me i should give A's to kids in the advanced classes but give lower grades (less A's) to kids in the intermediate and beginner classes. When I asked to discuss the differences in workers contract benefits, I'm told to "mind my own business and be quiet!!! added with some heckling and downright rude treatment.

So, I'm pretty much ready to leave, even though I haven't even started. My E2 is brand new. For me, the 40 students is the deal killer as my salary is CRAP and students don't learn jack.

I've told them I want them to sign a letter of release but some new recruiters are thinking I might have to get a whole new E2 visa because I quit under 9 months of work. Other recruiters are saying I might be okay to transfer a new job to my current (brand new) E2.

This employer is saying they want me to write a letter of "resignation" but I asked them to remedy some of the problems or sign my letter of release. With hopes they would remedy.

I really need some input,

much appreciated,

[Teelo]

You quit, you get stuck with the bill. For everything.

[sarbonn]

I was going to say just tough it out because the problems really aren't that bad. But it sounds like you've already jumped in with both feet by asking for a LOR, so I sort of suspect the atmosphere is never going to improve for you because it's hard to bounce back from something like that. I guess you have to decide if this is too much for you to take, if you have alternative options, and that sort of thing before you continue to jump whichever way you will.

[canoe_jesuit]

"you quit, you get stuck with the bill"

what do you mean exactly??

[johnny_larue]

I hate to tell you, but from what you're telling me it seems like you're SOL. You could find a new job, but you might have to prepare for a visa run to Japan. I feel very badly that you have to go through with this ordeal.

I find it especially troubling that your handler wants you to give grades depending on which class the students are in rather than their actual understanding of english.

I think this should be seen as an example of why you need to give due dilligence when looking for work with a hogwan.

Good luck.

[Teelo]

[canoe_jesuit]

"I hate to tell you..."

Honestly, the employer was CLEARING holding back and ready to spring this kind of riduculousness at the last minute. When i was in the interview, they offered me my own office to compensate for the CRAP pay and terrible location of the school. It was one deciding factor for me taking it. They yanked it the minute I arrived and only ended up giving it to me because I pointed out their bad actions. They honored it but said it would be shortlived, most likely.

They also said food is included (a major reason why i took it) because of its remote location... Everday is the same food, soup broth without anything it in, rice and kim chi. So, the food offering was kind of misleading.

[canoe_jesuit]

I just wrote them to say I cannot write a letter of resignation, as I had already figured out I shouldn't write one. I did write them an email of complaint but left out any "resignation" details. I told them I cannot quit due to legal reasons and I'll be ready for work on monday.

See if this results in a LOR or water under bridge.

[ChinaBoy]

they'll make your life a living hell until just before 6 months, then fire you and withhold all the money from your last month as payment for the recruitment and airfare

[valkerie]

Hmmmm, this sounds suspicious IMO. U didn't even start this job but you know all about the food EVERYDAY?

U too a job with CRAP pay (your words) because u got an office and a free lunch, but this was good comp for being out in the boonies?

40 kids in one class in a hogwon?

[John_ESL_White]

OK. No BS.

They lied to you.

The school sucks.

You already asked for a LOR.

They WILL NOT PAY YOU IF YOU WORK FOR THEM FOR A MONTH!!!!

I promise this. If they do, after what you wrote, I'll pay you (not really).


They did pay your airfare one way, right?

Get your ass out of that school and enjoy beautiful Korea on their airfare dime.

While you are visiting Seoul, try to interview at a few places and find a place that is more suitable to your needs. Figure out what you have to do to get a new visa and do it.

The End.

Do not report to work on Monday. You should just finish-e.

Anything else is going to be stupidity, bargaining, asking for this or that, threatening, etc....


Chances are they will not cancel your work visa. (at least that's been the experience of my many friends who've quit). They're too lazy or do not know ho wto do it.

So, BONUS, if you have a friend here, live with them, get a PT gig until you find a FT gig.

PM me if you want a job relatively near Seoul, in an apt., hagwon with a room in that apt.

good luck

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Not always. Your future Korean employer might give "saving face" money to your old employer when you get your next job. Then again, I was "fired" just before I turned in my notice. Oddly enough, the school wanted to keep me for summer camps and was unhappy when I landed my next job. So yeah, work illegally and you can keep working. Skewered ethics there.

[Chuvok]

This thread has just convinced me, I'm never coming to Korea....



My largest group has 8 students, and my employer is in love with me (seriously, I think she is!).



I don't need the extra few hundred dollars I'd earn in Korea.

[D.D.]

This is a troll writing this as the other guy said he starts on Monday and he already knows about the food everyday.

Also how would he know about the salary of his co-worker.

[ChinaBoy]

The OP is a troll or is it the idiot Chuvok who isn't even in Korea and wants to tell us how great his life is?