Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kiteflyer]

I've had it with this! korea!

My school now informs me, six days before I am to leave and finish the contract, and ONE hour before my arrival time at work, via SMS text message, that I am to show up at a new school I've never seen before, and which is not sponsoring my visa, and I must work ...Nor have they told me know how to get there nor where the school is located within the city.

This is all very strange, and speaks to local inefficiency of preparing ANYTHING.

I can have NO sense of peace while living here.

Can you tell me how this affects my visa and if I really have to do this? This is not covered in my contract.

I want PEACE.

[cruisemonkey]

Pretend you didn't get the message... go to your school and play dumb. When they tell you to go to the other school say "No... it's illegal for me to teach anywhere but the school listed on my ARC."

Edit: I see in the title this is a PS job (the above refers to hogwans). Multiple work locations ARE covered in most PS contracts... and even if they're not, it doesn't matter unless your actual school sponsors your visa. Still, what they gave you is not enough notice or information... like I said - go to your 'regular' school and play dumb... tell them you're not prepared. If they make you go to the other school, show up and play games... give them 'word finds' and watch movies for six days - eff 'em!

[antoniothegreat]

also, ask them about your travel bonus. any public official in korea gets money for leaving their regular work place to pay for transportation and all. if you really care, pretend you cant find it and take the day off.

[Beej]

Play the " I got lost game." Oh you said "Ichon" I thought you said Inchon.

[CentralCali]

If you're a public school teacher, then the school isn't your visa sponsor. That honor goes to the Provincial Metropolitan Office of Education.

[Underwaterbob]

I would definitely conveniently lose my cellphone and "get lost" as so many others have suggested. Sounds like a great opportunity to go exploring.

[pkang0202]

[kiteflyer]

I am at home this evening and I just got notice (once again by SMS text message) that I have to go to YET ANOTHER school location, tomorrow, instead of the one I usually go to.

At this point, I am working for four different schools, a different one every day, depending on the whim of whomever is requesting these actions, and I simply want to finish and go home.

[kiteflyer]

What about the year-end documentation letter signed by the primary school holder of the contract, where I've worked accordingly, for one year?

Due to all the shuffling around, I will not go there on the last day of work to pick up my stamped document that proves I completed my one-year stint at the location.

I've already asked for it and the admin woman at the public school will only write it for an end date of the day I request it.

So she gave me one two weeks ago, when I found out they were not renewing the contract, I asked for it on the spot. So, it states I worked from April 02, 2008 to March 06, 2009 --the end date is the date I requested the document.

I have been there since that date, working only on a Friday, even though I formerly worked for nearly one year there M-Th and worked a different school on Fridays, which is registered in my passport as THE additional school. Now it is changed around to where I am not working the additional Friday school at all, and am being shuffled around at last moment, required to work at two other schools that are not even within my contract nor sponsored officially in my passport nor on my visa. And I will finish my said contract by end date (April 03--as printed on ARC card that the admin. lady at the PRIMARY school where I am SUPPOSED to be working as per contract, not these tertiary schools) has a copy of and is referring to the ARC when drawing up the document.

Any suggestions?

This document affects one's pay raises at public schools and universities as of this year and in subsequent years in Korea.

[kiteflyer]

Here's where it gets really interesting.

The Korean recruiter that holds the contract is still sending orders to the Co-workers, who are then writing me text messages EVERY morning, changing my job site, ONE HOUR before work time.

Now, it's up to FIVE different public school after-school programs which, of course, are not part of my original contract, nor listed as the second place of employment as stamped in my passport/ visa-sponsored.

So, I went to immigration yesterday to get this ridiculous-ness to stop, whereupon Immigration called the head recruiting office in Seoul (my "manager") who then called me in tears asking, 'Why did you call immigration?" (duh) ...Since you've left me no other choice by asking me to do actions that are not in my contact and which are illegal, that's why.

Another thing is: I got a copy of the contract that is on file at the Immigration office AND IT'S NOT SIGNED BY ME! Someone else in the Seoul office forged my signature, so I never even reviewed that contract. What happened is: they changed the dates. By that time, I already had my E-2 visa.


What to do?

Calling the Labour Board is my next obvious step.

All of this has to stop.


I am getting indirect commands and unable to contact the recruiter/ "manager" in Seoul, who is evasive, not answering the phone (and when she does "my battery is dying"... click --).

This is more about controlling someone, not teaching the kids. I have done an exemplary job teaching and not taken ONE sick day...

[cruisemonkey]

So you're not a public employee... you're being farmed out illegally by a private individual/company as an independent contractor under the quise of having a PS sponsor your E-2 visa.

You have been screwed/screwed yourself by accepting a job as an independent contractor for a 'shady' after school program.

I think you only hope is to make sure you work the last day of your contract at your main, 'visa-sponsor school' and have the office staff give you a Record of Employment (that will reflect 'one year') on your last afternoon.

Good luck!

To all potential newbies - DON"T WORK FOR ILLEGAL/SHADY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS - YOU"LL GET SCREWED!

[bogey666]

[Toon Army]

OP

have they pulled the double bank book scam on you? a lot of places do this. Hopefully not to you too.

also which recruiter hired you? WinEd have a reputation for this

[kiteflyer]

TENET Korea, based in Seoul.

[efemmera]