Korean Job Discussion Forums

muffintop · Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Location: SK

Principal and Ct had my recruiter come to the school six days after I started to get his fee, and at the same time let me know that the school will be giving me a 30-day trial period to see if I : will not bother my CT on her day off (had to go to the hospital and didn't know who to call) and to not ask any teachers for a ride up the mountain to work..to get their on foot ...They said it was alright if I took a taxi!!

Today the CT tells me that she cannot work this way..she is late often..sits in her office while I teach and is on the phone....or criticizes me when I teach...even though she has seen the lesson plans ahead of time that ONLY I do. She makes none to use in class. I gave her a CD I made for a PPT presentation and she just made a copy for herself and gave it back..even though I just asked her for her opinion.

She said my probationary approval time ends on the 27th and then I am done there and to find another job.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

This situation sounds alarming - and confusing. Have you just been fired - or just given a 'pep talk' to make you lift your game?

You write as though you've just been given 'notice' (e.g., fired).
But if you're working for the K govt. - and they want to fire you - you should get 30 days 'notice' in writing.

I'd be clarifying this with your principal - ASAP.

Also, I'd be asking the principal why the co-teacher is not in the classroom helping you.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

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

Or don't talk to your school and wait it out. The longer you are there without written notice, the more time and money you will get. You are supposed to get a written 30 day notice. If they want you to leave immediately, they still have to pay you for those 30 days.

If you tell them now, then your 30 days will come up sooner. It's a gamble, but one I would take if the school is being this way. Hopefully it would piss them off.

Joe666 · Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Location: Jesus it's hot down here!

Do you really want to be there any longer than you have to. It sounds like a miserable situation all around. If the 30 day notice is required by the school as others have stated, tell the "higher up's" ASAP.

Why subject yourself to that misery! I would not want to work in a situation where I was not wanted or respected.

muffintop · Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Location: SK

since they told me that it was an observation period my first month...despite a contract for a year and an E-2 visa and that I had until the 27th to work and to find a new school.

The principal will not talk to me. I went to him and he called the CT and she told him to say in English "he was busy" and "will have no time" to see me. The new GEPIK contract says "15 days written dismissal by the principal" not "30"..

This is in Seongnam. Where is a labor board for this area? Do I just continue to go to school after the 27th since there is nothing in writing and I would be violating my contract if I did not go and teach at the public school.

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

Absolutely keep going, everyday, even after the 27th.

If you don't go, that means you quit, and no notice is necessary.

You said by your own contract, you get 15 days IN WRITING. At least that's something. And you'll get paid for it. Is there anything about "probation" in the contract?

Young FRANKenstein

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

I am wondering if this is a new technique (or one I haven't heard of). The school just hires and fires teachers, since it is too short for Labor Board to step in the school gets away with it.

Or do they? I would find out if this is the first time or if the school has done this before. Perhaps GEPIK won't like it if there isn't at least a report of why a teacher is being fired so short in the contract.

A probation period sounds strange for a public school job. Are there unique things you have to do? This is my first year at an elementary school, and I have to say I am not at all qualified for the younger ones (1st and 2nd grader phonics crap). I just do the best and hope for better.

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:43 am Post subject:

muffintop · Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Location: SK

Noper to the probation period. Called GEPIK...they said they couldn t do anything since I just started....so do I find another job and get the visa transferred without using GEPIK and go to another province? What does that entail. What would I tell another school? I have not violated anything and am well-prepared for my classes and all is above board with my part. The CT comes in late, does not stay in class with me sometimes and is in her office on the phone...can see our office from a glass window at the other end of the class...

today she told me I could not use our phone in our office except for emergencies because the 031 and 02 numbers cost the school money and that when someone tries to call they get a busy signal (she is on it so much ..she must have apoxy stuck to the receiver) and she does not do lesson plans with me..except review what I send her in an e-mail for a week at a time and then we go over it ahead of class time.

Young FRANKenstein

Rory_Calhoun27 · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

Good luck with GEPIK- they seem to like to sit on their hands, say "It'll be worse if we get involved directly," and then not offer any info. re: finding a new school after your contract is up. At least from my experience.

You'd think being assaulted by your coteacher would have them responding in some more extensive manner, but not so in my case. Is being slapped an assault? i think so. In hindsight I wish I called the police, but wanting to handle the problem so no one had to lose "Face" that didnt need to was my Achilles Heel I suppose... Crying or Very sad

But I'm a gentleman, darn it! Evil or Very Mad

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Call up Gepik again. Be forceful. Tell them the situation. Tell them to send someone down and fix it now. You did not fly halfway around the world to be abused by "a safe job" that they keep advertising. You just arrived so they can't do anything? Screw that!

Yes, I know we only have one side to the story.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I knew a guy who was in a similar situation with a hagwon. He shows up on the first day and was told he was on a "probationary period" for a month.

Things weren't working out so well after two weeks, and the school still hadn't actually completed his E-2. The guy didn't figure he'd be paid (he was probably right) so he sold all of their furnishings in the apartment and flew to a job in China. Laughing

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

Sounds like you rolled snake eyes with your school

Bottom line: they cannot "get rid" of you thirty days into your contract. Your CT is rotten, so try to make other friends in the school that may help you. I'm surprised the Principal wont speak to you, however people usually take the Korean side whether or not they are in the right.

I am disgusted that you have a CT that won't answer calls on her "day off"
If you are in the hospital, she should know what is wrong. She would have heard $#!T from me for giving me crap- they are probably taking advantage of you because you are trusting them.

It doesn't matter that they say you are on "probation". They have a budget to keep you from the government, and if you quit early they don't lose the money. Make them fire you officially, and get a legitimate reason.