Korean Job Discussion Forums

joltaxt · Joined: 24 Oct 2009 Location: Seoul

I'm going to be in Korea soon to work for a hagwon, and I notice people talking about midnight "runners." What is this? I'm assuming you leave overnight because you didn't like your job, but doesn't the hagwon own the rights to your VISA so how exactly does that work? Thanks.

Clockout · Joined: 23 Feb 2009

leaving korea without notice before finishing contract

andrewchon · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject:

As for the visa, it's a 12 month thing for E-2, so even if you do a runner, you can't get another E-2 visa and work at another hagwon, until that visa is no more.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Some 'run' because they find themselves at a really poorly run hakwon or public school. This may translate into additional or untennable work schedules, too many students per class, or work for which the employee is unprepared to do (e.g. course and material design). In some cases, insult is added to injury when overtime pay isn't offered.

Some 'run' because the terms of the contract aren't honoured with regard to housing, insurance, sick leave, and vacations.

Some 'run' because they just aren't prepared to hack it overseas. They can't get by in a country that isn't the same as their own. In other cases, they perpetuate their glory days of college life and drink their arses off. In other cases, they don't really want to be here to begin with, so they have an attitude from the get-go.

Some 'run' because they perceive problems that aren't actually there (e.g. caused by cultural differences and cross-cultural perceptions).

Feel free to add other reasons here....

Best way around it: Don't put yourself in a position where you may have to 'run'. Do as much research about your potential employer as possible. Find out as much as you can about where you'll be working. Find out in advance where you might want to work, and don't get sucked into taking a job elsewhere. Tinker with the contract a bit, but remember that the contract isn't an end game here, it's a starting point. Try to stay flexible and positive, but know when you're getting the screws put to you. Know what you don't know, always ask questions, and never stop learning and processing information about your employer, the country, and your specific locale. Giving the language a go is, needless to say, a good time investment.

egrog1717 · Joined: 12 Mar 2008

maingman · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Location: left Korea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runner_bean

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

"I'm a joker I'm a smoker I'm a midnight runner"

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

the schedule of my hagwon friend who did a "midnight run" went something like this:

12:55 pm withdraw money and close bank account
1:30 pm to 3:45 pm pack everything
3:45 pm call in sick
4:00 pm leave the apartment and dodge possible parents and co-workers coming to check on her "illness"
5:05 pm arrive at incheon international airport and book a flight out

helpful note: it's probably best if you run after your shift... gives you more wiggle room for running.

typically reasons are valid (in this case, they were), but sometimes people are just so shell-shocked by the culture difference they run. they don't give notice because they're (1) afraid of retaliation, (2) afraid of not getting paid, (3) afraid of re-paying their loans, or (4) all of the above.

creeper1 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007

[quote="nomad-ish]
5:05 pm arrive at incheon international airport and book a flight out

quote]

This was a bit risky. You might be out of luck and find all the flights are fully booked. It's better to do a reservation online before. It takes a moment and things move along a lot easier.

I knew a runner once. He missed Ireland too much to stay in Korea. Rolling Eyes

nomad-ish · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:04 pm Post subject:

actually this girl was irish too.

i believe she ended up camping out in the airport overnight. she thought she'd be safe from her boss there (she didn't owe any money to him, so i don't think the police would've gotten involved).

Trinidad · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Location: Seoul

One thing you newbs should understand:

TEACHING IN KOREA IS JUST A JOB LIKE ANY OTHER. YOU CAN LEAVE
ANY TIME YOU WANT FOR ANY REASON YOU WANT. IT IS NOT A
CRIMINAL OFFENCE AND YOU WILL NOT BE DETAINED AT THE AIRPORT.

Possible repercussions may be:

1/ Civil action by your former employer. (very unlikely)
2/ Immigration may refuse to grant another visa.

This person who was hiding at the airport was being paranoid on the verge
or being irrational. Even if her boss found her what is he going to do?
Drag her out by the hair?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

the ireland · Joined: 11 May 2008 Location: korea

Trinidad · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Location: Seoul

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired