Korean Job Discussion Forums

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

First off, I actually like it here in Korea these days. I've been here going on six months now (the 10th is my month date). I've been working at a Hagwon where I'm well compensated, but at the same time there were some horrible financial problems at this place over the last few months where we weren't paid for over a month and a half. I kept thinking, I'll stick it out, mainly because they're at least paying for my rent, and they kept promising to eventually pay. And then, a week or so ago, they paid us up to date.

The Hagwon was sold to someone else, I think. I've honestly tried really hard to get the details of what happened, but no one gives me the same story. It's either been sold to someone, someone new is going to manage it, or some new sponsor showed up, or aliens from the planet Zantar are planning to start teaching students. Honestly, I have no idea what's really happening these days, although I keep being told a new guy is going to be managing the place "soon".

Now, I could probably live with that, make it to the next pay period (the 10th), and then see what's happening, but I received the rent notice today in my mail box. Usually, I get that, and I give it to the school's secretary, and then it gets paid that way. They take the utility stuff out of my pay, and that's fine. But as I was reading this rent thing today, it just didn't look right for the numbers, so I brought it to one of the KTs who deciphered it and indicated that the school hasn't paid the rent in 2 months now, and that the landlord is asking for 3 months rent on this rent period (I don't even know who the landlord is...this was always handled by the school).

I'm starting to get concerned here now because the rent is really in its 3rd month of not being paid, and I have no idea half of the time what is going on here (the boss has taken to infrequently showing up, as he's never been around when I've wanted to talk to him...or when he is he tries to steer the conversation to anything but money, other than blank assurances everything's fine).

Part of me thinks I should just chuck this whole thing and pull a runner as I have enough to make it home, but not really enough to survive for long once I get home (haven't had the time to build up that nest egg yet). A month ago, I didn't even have enough to afford air fare, so I've moved a bit ahead of that curve.

Any helpful advice? I don't have documents together to try for another job here. That's just not going to be able to happen in the time that I need to do something. This whole immigration mess here just doesn't seem like it was designed to assist anyway. Getting an LOR is not going to happen; I can pretty much count that out as they're not interested in assisting in that way (learned that during the bad times with pay).

bundangbabo · Joined: 01 Jun 2008

Get the hell out of there - I was in hagwon hell and left as soon as I had the airfare and I was granted another E-2 once I was back in the UK. From leaving hagwon hell to starting at my new public school job? Three months.

This sitaution is going to get worse - if you have the money for a ticket out of dodge then get it spent!

tenchu77491 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009

^You bounced without notice and got a new e-2 visa without a problem?

I bounced without notice from a hagwon as well.. I am in the middle of trying to get a new e-2 visa number. I will know within 6-10 days if I get it or not. I am wishing I get it because if I don't I highly doubt that old hagwon is going to help me out. Pain in the butt.

bundangbabo · Joined: 01 Jun 2008

tenchu77491 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009

bundangbabo · Joined: 01 Jun 2008

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

You can always get a visa to China and teach there for a few months while waiting to get back into Korea! No problemo

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

tenchu77491 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009

Seems like the afterschool program is owned by Daekyo company. Is this a plus or minus on my ability to get a new e-2 after bouncing?

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

tenchu77491 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

I generally stick around for any drama that may transpire.
During the crash of '97, my hagwon went bankrupt.
We'd battled the landlord's turning off our water, harassing us, etc. for months. Because the boss didn't deal with him, pay bills, etc.
Anyway, that was my first year and when I realized no one's gonna lead me by the hand.
It was kinda fun. I left and got another job. No transfer of visa status, just went and worked til the original visa expired.
Don't believe all the rumors here about fines, fees, overstaying visas, et al.

Oh. When I did leave, I took EVERYTHING useful from the apt. Used a lot of it for the next 9 years. Cool

tenchu77491 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009

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

sarbonn,

So, you are paid up so far what you are owed? You are now considering a runner after they pay you in April for March? Is this true?

If so, you are not in a bad situation. You are not responsible for rent. It's true, there is that fear you might be kicked out by the landlord. However, you have much cheaper options than leaving. You could get a goshiwon or something while you get ready to leave if this were to happen. Currently, someone on here is renting her apartment I think for 500,000 won per month, and there is no key money except a one month deposit. You would still have to get a plane ticket, and as long as they are paying you then you will have more money to work with when and if something bad happens. In a way, you could probably get an exit order if something bad did happen. If you do a runner, it will more difficult to return.

I would send 75% of that money home and not buy a lot of stuff. Keep your expenses down. If you can't take all your stuff home, figure what you will do with it now. Give it away or sell it. Be prepared to move at a moment's notice. If you found someone to rent from, you could keep your stuff there maybe and in return just pay them a storage fee.

If I misread your post and you haven't been paid what you are owed, then don't bring up the rent issue. Hound them until they pay you for work. Don't give them the impression you are leaving or even considering it. Get rid of what you don't need as I mentioned earlier and when they do pay you, find out about the rent issue. If it has been paid, you might want to stay and do as I suggested above. If it hasn't, then you could hint to them that it makes you feel uncomfortable and directly say something like, "This type of thing doesn't make me want to stay in Korea". Don't make it sound like a threat, but more of a mere suggestion that they better do something. Then follow your heart. If you gotta leave, you gotta leave. Good luck.

One final suggestion would be to try to negotiate with them to find another school. When you are 9 months into your contract you can change locations. This will save you the airfare costs and get you working at another school. I did this and it worked out rather smoothly. You'll lose about 1-2 million won in this process, but how much would a plane ticket along with all the troubles of getting another job at home be?

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

OP,

You've been paid up to date, have enough to fly home but not much more, right? Jobs are hard to come by at home, most likely.

I say: Take a deep breath and stick around. Don't let the rent issue bother you as it's not your responsibility. Budget a bit more than before and build up your bank account--it will give you some flexibility. If nothing else, stay till payday--that will be another W2 million to work with. You have a job now. Hang onto it as long as possible while working out a new plan.