Korean Job Discussion Forums

nfld_chingu · Joined: 29 Jun 2009

I'm actually asking this on behalf of a friend, not me ...
Sorry if this topic has already been covered but I wasn't able to find anything when I searched.

A friend of mine arrived in Korea about 2 weeks ago. She is considering a midnight run. She would rather quit her job and find another one because she wants to stay in Korea ... is this possible?
She is miserable at her job ... the recruiter lied to her to get her here (told her that there were 6 foreign teachers at the school). She is in a very small city and not only is she the only foreign teacher at her school, she has not seen even one other foreigner in the past 2 weeks. She received no training and the manager yells at her, etc. Basically she is miserable, lonely, and wants to move to a bigger city and a better school. Is this possible if she quits her current school?
Also, is it possible if she just leaves without notice, or would she have to give notice? She is afraid that they will deduct money from her check for recruiter fees, etc.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

beercanman · Joined: 16 May 2009

I'd suggest getting fired. Seriously. Not show up, show up late, do a lousy job. Then a letter of release should be forthcoming soon. When next boss asks, she can say she was miserable there and boss was a jerk. Better than running I believe. Not sure. Take my words as written in water.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:35 am Post subject:

If she resigns, she's not obligated to give notice (unless it's in the contract). However, the boss will most likely make he life a living Hell and not pay any money owed - claiming recruiter's fees etc.

If she gets fired, the boss must legally give her 30 days advance notice of dismissal or pay in liew. However, (if not 'turfed' and made homeless immediately), the boss will most likely make her life a living Hell and not pay any money owed - claiming recruiter's fees etc.

Either way, a Letter of Release will do no good - she can't have sponsorship of her visa transferred to another employer because she has not worked for nine months yet. However, this rule has been known to be overlooked by Immi officers.

andrewchon · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:36 pm Post subject:

Has she considered yelling back at her manager etc. and make his life miserable? If she is the only FT then she is valuable and has some leverage. Has she come on to the Dave's? I haven't seen a foreigner since June GEPIK orientation. It horrifies me to think all this Korea bashing reminds me a little bit of home, but at the same time, comforts me a little.

nfld_chingu · Joined: 29 Jun 2009

Who's Korea bashing??? And no she doesn't come on Dave's ...

Thanks for the suggestions ... so technically, unless she meets a really nice Immigration officer, she can't move to another city and get another job? That sucks but thanks for the info ... I'll let her know.

andrewchon · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject:

I meant 'Korea bashing' in general sense, not particularly to this post.

Being comforted etc... I was talking about myself. I could've put it more succinctly, I suppose. I was suggesting maybe if she's isolated like I am, she can come to Dave's and vent.

nfld_chingu · Joined: 29 Jun 2009

Gotcha.

I don't know if venting is going to be enough though ... she really wants to leave that place.

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

Edit

Sorry I found out what the problem is. I can't understand their English too well. So I keep getting lost in translation moments.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

[quote="cruisemonkey"[/quote]

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

andrewchon · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:09 pm Post subject:

winterfall, you been there what, 3 weeks? Already offering to teach for free? You are simply too much.

Agree to do what they want and then don't do what they want but do what you want.

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

Then you take a teacher by the hand and go to the principal's office and get him/her to sit on the couch with you and translate your words, and his. You will get yourself into a heap of frustration if you start using your English co-teachers as intermediaries. They will tell you what they want and your Principal will probably not have a clue as to what is going on. If you drag someone in there and sit down with him then you will actually know that he thinks, as it is coming out of his mouth. Let him know you are a capable teacher and know how to conduct classes. This goes for every issue that you will face in the school, not just with this one - vacations, the whole works of things that will come up. Let him know that you are experiencing problems with some co-teachers not working properly with you and this is "jeopardizing the students learning". If you put him in the proper position, and your co-teachers in the proper position, you will probably find that working in the public school goes much smoother.

Eel4Real · Joined: 15 Sep 2009

Hello, this thread is about my situation. I asked my friend to post for me because I didn't have an account and I needed some urgent advice.

Since she posted, things have gone from bad to worse. Just a little background info:

The recruiter and the school lied to me so I would take the job. I specifically requested a school with other foreign teachers, and they assured me there were 7 others at this school, but there are none. The director keeps deducting fees from my wages: Alien card, visa, gas, electricity, phone, internet, etc. I wasn't given any training, simply put in a classroom and told to teach. Half of my classes do not have textbooks. I have finished the textbook for two of my classes (they were nearly done when I got here), and the director simply told me to "start book again," so we turned to page 1 and began again. The school just installed video cameras and recording equipment in the classrooms and break room, so I have no privacy. The won't let me sit in my classroom during free periods, but rather make me sit with the receptionist so that the parents will see a white lady when they come to pay the bill. They are forcing me to teach illegal early morning classes without paying me extra. They requested I dye my hair brown or blonde, instead of my current colour (black). The director went through my list of students and told me which ones to be "special nice to" because the have younger siblings she wants to enroll.

I have decided to leave. I accept that I can't get another job, but what is going to happen to me if I go back to the States without giving notice? Can I get into trouble? I am really worried, but this is crazy. I can't stay in this school any longer.

Eel4Real · Joined: 15 Sep 2009

Also, what will happen if I don't receive my alien card before my pay date (October 1st)? Will the hagwon pay me in cash? I need that money to flee. I don't want to stay a second longer than I have to. Can they withhold my pay if I don't have an alien card?