Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kiteflyer]

I have a visa expiration date of April 02, 2009.

My current employer is not renewing the contract, so I booked a trip to Japan for a day on April 04-returning April 05.

The contract states April 07 as the "end date." Even though the contract I originally signed stated April 03 as the release date.

I have a 90 day tourist visa when I return.

Employer is not answering the phone when I call.

Only telling me, "Do your job appropriately 'til the contract is finished."

Originally, when they informed me on such short notice that they do not want to renew our contract, they'd give me a letter of release, severance pay and the plane ticket money however I wanted (I buy it first and then they'd reimburse me).

I went ahead with the plane ticket and they are not "happy" with the plane ticket I bought. So I re-arranged it and they are still not happy with the price, which is about 250,000 won more than what they claimed they "found" through a travel agent I do not have any contact with, in Seoul.

I really don't mind what they think, now, as they are not communicating with me.

Trick is, how do I get the severance pay and plane ticket figured out?

Last I spoke to them, they said they found a cheaper ticket with another travel agent and they'd book it. Which I don't like doing, and apparently cannot, since they're not answering the phone. They asked me to cancel my paid-for ticket. Seems I should be able to turn in my receipt and simply get the lesser amount that they quoted me from their travel agent in Seoul, who is working on their behalf. I do not know if the employer has taken the responsibility of securing a plane ticket to my home airport, yet, nor when. If they book it, I have not control over the arrangements, the dates or the possibility of a refund.

I do not know when or how to surrender my apt. key.

I have not heard from them since, and well, it's one week until I must leave Korea. They aren't aware of my visa expiration date, nor that it ends 2 working days before the contract supposedly "ends." I am not "extending" with them for any time period. I've already applied for my NPS refund, which comes due to me on April 07, according to NPS.

All of these things, plane ticket, severance, etc... are included in my in the contract and this is with a public school.

Got good ideas???

[Juregen]

May I suggest you first tell them the earliest day you are willing to leave and the last day you are willing to leave.

Anything else is pushing it, but they are in luck, airplane tickets are dropping atm.

For your severance, they law says they have 14 days, try negotiating that you do not want to leave BEFORE you received your severance, so the departure date should be taken into account by when they are willing to pay the severance.
The severance amount is the average you earned in the last three months.

for the rest I did not see any clear questions.

[oldfatfarang]

Be careful if your school offers you cash for your flight (based on the cheaper airfare they've found). That's a common Korean scam to reduce costs

I fell for it once. My school quoted an airfare special which didn't really exist. You know, like a travel agents fare-hook to get you in the door. The real fare's always more expensive (as I found out when I bought my flight).

Good luck.

[cruisemonkey]

How could a public school not be answering their phone?

Do you mean "not answering" literally... or... 'won't talk to you'?