Korean Job Discussion Forums

Caerus · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

I have only been working at my Hagwon for 4 months and have no real issues with the place. My friend who is working at the same school is getting axed for a seriously ridiculous reason (because he's a male and a mother complained they wanted a female teacher.) I know he can fight that, but they would probably just come up with a different stupid reason a month from now.

Anyway, I don't want to be associated with this school anymore either and want to know how long of a notice I am supposed to give when informing them of quitting.

I don't think I will have any trouble getting a letter of release as the principle likes me.

Also, if I wanted to apply and transfer to a public position in September without leaving the country, what would I have to do?

Toon Army · Joined: 12 Mar 2007

well what does your contract say? 30 days notice?

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

OP: Are you male?

Caerus · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

My contract makes no mention of it at all, I was just under the assumption I would have to give notice.

Yes I am a male.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

I'd venture that either there was no complaint and the boss just used that as an excuse or there's really such a complaint and you're next in line for the chopping block. I'd pull a runner on the bums. And how much do you think the principal will like you after you give notice?

Caerus · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

She may not like me afterward, but I still see no problem in getting a release. There was someone here who quit after 1 month, and was also able to get a release without issue.

Also, would it be a big problem to transfer to a public school for September? Without having to leave the country?

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

I think the general consensus among vets is to not give notice if leaving early or staying in country after the contract ends unless you absolutely have to.

You are confident you will have no problems, and you are the one with firsthand knowledge, but if I remember correctly, you said you have only been in country 4 months.

Things can turn to crap very quickly -- like with your friend.

When dealing with hakwons, it is best to play it safe.

I (and plenty of others) have had fairly good situations turn bad simply because I was going to find new school after finishing my contract. When I turned in my notice two months beforehand, per contract, I began getting heat routinely from management and deductions out of my last pay and no airfare money per contract.

This is not unusual.

So, if you're contract doesn't say to give notice (or even if it did) and you're at the kind of school that said it will fire someone for no good reason, don't give notice...

...find a new school that will contact your boss and work out a release letter. They can usually come to a mutually beneficial arrangement that will save both a little money.

As for public school jobs, this is a new thing for me in Korea, but I wouldn't think your chances of getting such a position would be too good unless you could somehow cover your tracks at your old school...

...regardless of whether you give notice or not, the fact you didn't finish a contract, especially if you didn't come close to 12 months, would likely hurt your chances - I'd have to think - but I have no first or secondhand knowledge about that.

And I would think it would be easy for the public school system to check your prior visa status and see that you were under contract for a school - which would make hiding the fact you broke a contract hard to bury...

At least that's what I'd think....

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

Caerus · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Yes yes I misspelled principal....

Anyway, what are the obligations of having to pay back flights? I've only had 1 way paid for (reimbursed), and there is no mention of it in my contract. I was thinking of finishing the first 6 months as that's what I hear must be done to avoid paying it back.

As for the school, I was not thinking of going for a standard full time PS job through smoe or anything, but an after school program. Would that make any difference?

Also, if I was just to pull a runner as was mentioned, how can I go about applying for new positions? Don't they blacklist your visa and arc and all that?