Korean Job Discussion Forums

[korea.teacher]

Short Version: In less than two months on the job, I've been told I might get fired because of my age and that it's a kind of age discrimination in Korea but it's just business. I was also not told about not getting paid for a class I was asked to do on my day off because, as my manager explained, employees at my institute are a kind of servant.

Can someone explain the last part to me?

Long Version: Last month when I started my job (adult conversation classes) I was told I might be fired because my recruiter had lied about my age and the institute had wanted to hire someone younger. The institute manager told me it was a kind of discrimination in Korea, but the owner was a businessman and it was just business.

On the last day of the month the manager (who quit that day) said the owner had decided I could stay. The other native speaker teacher at my school told me he had actually taken a phone call that day from someone interviewing for my job.

Apparently the recruiter who lied about my age and created my problem at work was also looking for a replacement for me so they could continue to do business with my institute.

This month, the new manager asked me to work on my day off and present a sample class to prospective students. I learned the night before the class from other teachers that I would not get paid. When I discussed this with the manager, she said employees are a kind of servant at the institute and didn't think to ask me about working for free.

I explained how this seemed to be a continuation of last month's problems. No initial apology, just kept asking me if I would be teaching the free class (I taught the class because of the late date but said no to future classes).

The next day the manager wanted to know why I hadn't joined staff for a beer party? I tried explaining again, maybe got through a little. The situation is incomprehensible to me.

The manager, however, now asks me when I'm going home on my breaktime to conduct level tests of students.

Is this just business as usual at institutes in Korea and what does the manager mean when she uses the term "servant"?

[Mr. Pink]

1) How old are you? You point out that you were much older than they expected, are we talking retirement age here?

2) You are not a servant, but your contract probably has clauses for doing work outside of class for the benefit of the institute, such as level testing, meetings, professional development, etc. The boss probably sees the things they have asked you to do as falling under this.

3) Why didn't you go out and drink with your co-workers? Koreans are ALL ABOUT team and unity and the group. If you fit within the group and are older than they wanted, they will let the age thing go. If you do not fit into the group, I can see your days are going to be numbered. Like any job you might have had, you have the play the "game". It seems you were just clueless what the rules are in Korea in terms of what it takes to keep the boss and coworkers happy.

[Milwaukiedave]

This kind of attitude is common, but it's not ok. If you are asked to work hours above and beyond your contracted hours (I have no idea what that is) you need to sit down and have a talk with the manager. Once you let them take advantage of you, they will walk all over you. You are not a servant or a slave, you are an employee.

As to the whole thing about your age, if the employer is holding this over your head (with very little details it's hard to tell), you need to keep careful track of conversations you had with both the current and old manager in case they fire you.

If talking with them doesn't get you anywhere, call the Labor Board and file a complaint.

[marlow]

With a lying recruiter and quitting managers the situation sounds messed up anyway.

I don't see how age should matter at all if you are a professional. We could say this is Korea, but this is the part of Korea you want to stay away from. Sometimes their culture stinks.

It sounds like they were trying to replace you but the replacement fell through with that part about the person interviewing for your job.

I'd like to know how "day off" your day off was supposed to be. Your one non-working day, a Saturday, or a weekday without classes?

I'd look for another job as you don't seem appreciated at this one.

[korea.teacher]

Previous poster asked about my age.

I'm 55. My recruiter told the institute I was 40 and the owner after seeing my photo and resume hired me (I look young for my age).

I had no idea that age was an issue when I interviewed and later came to Korea, after all, my age is on my passport.

The recruiter never said anything to me about age. The institute never said anything about age to me, even after receiving my documents, corresponding with me and then going to Japan for visa processing.

Only after I started work did the manager tell me the owner was so angry he didn't want to see or talk to me, was thinking of not reimbursing for travel expenses and would be making a decision about keeping me.

Another teacher told me the institute let me go to Japan because they needed an emergency hire. Kind of makes sense since they continued working with the same recruiter who lied about my age to find a replacement for me.

Then this other thing came up, being referred to as a "servant"? What's that about?

Like I said in my earlier post, this kind of treatment is incomprehensible ......so I was looking for some clarification.

[korea.teacher]

Previous poster asked about my day off.

My institute schedules two Fridays off a month without pay. I was told I would be teaching a sample class on one of those days at an open house.

I looked into applying for other positions but now I'm thinking of just giving up on teaching altogether after the institute makes up their mind.

The flipside. My students tell me I'm the best teacher they've ever had. I've had a professional career and also have previous teaching experience in addition to a TEFL.

[marlow]

[Jammer113]

It sounds like your owner doesnt really understand western culture or maybe doesnt speak english well. I doubt he understands how mind-bogglingly insulting he was.

That said, this sounds like a bad situation that can only get worse. If you've had these problems so far, what is your boss going to do when he's really stressed? Either about you, students, the business, profits... What happens when a student complains about your age? Do you think your boss is going to support you, then?

You should make sure you have lots of cash saved and keep all your documents ready to find a new job if need be.