Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OculisOrbis]

Some people seem to believe that all you have to do is ask nicely when you submit your resignation with the proper amount of notice and your employer will willingly supply you with an LOR to transfer to a new workplace. Has that been the case with you?

My experience has been 'yes' with a hagwon and a public school, but I completed the contracts and the LOR just let me change employer and extend for a new contract without a visa run. Others I know have not been as fortunate.

I just noticed the error in the poll question, but cant seem to edit it.....

[OculisOrbis]

Please leave a comment or story, otherwise the thread wont get bumped up.
Thanks.

[Sector7G]

I posted about a situation where I was going to leave a hagwon because the owner sold the place 4 days after I started. Long story short is she swore she would not give me an LOR. I was going to quit anyway but decided to stay after settling on terms with the new owner. However, 4 months later, I asked for and was given a Letter of Release from him, though he grumbled for a week before he gave it to me.

I had another situation where an International school for adults whose name I won't mention offered voluntary resignation packages to anyone in the company who wanted one because they were downsizing, but then acted like they didn't want to give it to me when I said I would like to exercise that option. (seems they never expected me to be one of the ones to accept). Finally, after a week of hemming and hawing, they gave it to me.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

Yes. Have resigned twice and been fired 3 times before 12 months was up. All hakwans or after school - by the way.

NEVER had the slightest problem getting LOR.

I just very strongly mentioned that I needed it for myt next job, my new employer would not hire me without seeing an LOR by the next week (not true.)

I mentioned this as soon as the period of notice kicked in and if they were hesitant or ignored my request mcom midweek - I told them that if I didn't have it by end of the week, I'd leave them on a limb without a teacher - ie I would not be in the following monday.

Voilla, on my desk by end of week.

[OculisOrbis]

Sounds like, in both cases, there was reluctance to provide your LOR's - yet looking at the numbers in the poll, you selected 'yes'.........

*bump*

[Draz]

Quit public school, didn't get one.

Quit hagwon, didn't get one, but I believe I would have if I'd asked. I didn't have a job lined up and took a break, so a LOR would have been useless.

In both cases, I don't think a LOR would have done me any good, because there was (is?) a rule about being at a place for at least 9 months before you can transfer.

I'm told to expect one from my current job when I get a new job at the end of my contract.

[OculisOrbis]

Thanks for your response. I hope you get the LOR at the end of your job because it does make things much simpler when you can just transfer employers and extend your sojourn as opposed to doing a visa run.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]