Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VFRinterceptor]

On Friday October 30th, as I was on my way to leave at the end of the day, I was requested for a meeting with my directors. My director began complaining about how I conducted my class to start times, to how I taught my students. It was clear to me that they were purposely watching the CCTV and picking any thing they could find to create evidence supporting their viewpoint. I asked what the purpose of this meeting was and I was handed a letter of termination. Upon receiving this letter, I told them that I was not surprised by their actions. I told them that in the past 8 months, from the time the school opened, I have watched them fire many of the Korean staff and both of the other foreign teachers, so I knew that this day was coming. I told them that I was fully prepared for what my next actions would be and I asked them to reconsider handing me the letter. I told them that I disagreed with some of the things on the letter and that I would explore what my rights were as a result of their actions.
Since I have started working there, I have noticed various violations of Korean Labor Laws. The pictures of the apartment I would be living in when I came to Korea were absolutely nothing like what I was actually given. A few months into working at the school, there was an incident where one of the contractors who did some work on the air conditioning system came to the school demanding money for the work he did. An argument followed and he returned a few hours later with a tank of LPG gas and released the gas into the school. The first foreign teacher I work with was fired and given no notice. He was taken into the schools office and told that he was fired for poor teaching. There was no previous warnings given to him, and he was regarded as the best teacher the school had. The 2nd foreign teacher was fired last month because of poor performance. He was never written up or had any documented disciplinary actions. He has filed a complaint with the Labor Board and is in the process of having his case heard. A couple of months ago, I told my directors that I wanted to leave and that there was a clause written in my contract that said that I could leave as long as I gave them 60 days notice. When I told them this, they said that the only way they would let me leave was if I paid them 3.0 mil won. The 2nd teacher that was fired was told the same thing (to pay 3 mil won) when he said he wanted to leave too.
I think it's obvious that this school has been wrongfully terminating employees and trying to extort money from their own employees. I would like to take my case to the Labor Board. The other teacher that has taken his case to the labor board has said that the first few meetings went well, but the last one he went to didn't bode well for him. He told me that they have a tape of him saying that he wanted to quit on the day he was fired. My director played the tape for me and asked me to sign an affidavit that says that I heard Mike say that he wanted to quit on that day, but honestly, I could not understand what was said on the tape. The tape was sent to an A/V expert for analysis. The transcript that was provided by the expert stated that the teacher did not say that he wanted to quit that day, but they have been pushing the notion that he quit to the labor board.
As always, your opinions are valued and I'd like to hear what your thoughts are on the matter, but please no trolls.
On the termination letter it says that they are firing me because they gave me previous warnings. In april I received a warning letter signed by the director for various reasons. But then they are considering some memos that were handed out to all teachers as warnings against me. The memos don't list any specific names or events. They just say to come to class prepared and start your classes on time.
Here's a breakdown of their 'warnings'...


March 1, 2009 - First day of work at a brand new school.
Myself, along with 3 other teachers all started on the same day. One other foreign teacher and myself were brought from the US on a E-2 work visa. Another teacher lives in the area, has f-4 status, married to a Korean citizen. And the head teacher, a gyopo brought in from the US.

April 10th, 2009 - Document titled 'warning notice' given.
Reasons listed:
1. Did not teach Virtual studio class on april 9
2. I changed class assignment of Theme Activity without permission. (I taught the class using some materials from another class.)
3. I objected strongly about the use of CCTV recording despite the contractual clause that says they can use it.
4. I arrived at school late.
5. I did not keep the starting time of my class periods several times and did not prepare class materials before class.

The document is only signed by the Director. When I was in the office, I told them that I object to these accusations, but they didn't care.

May 29, 2009 - F-4 Foreign teacher fired with 24 hr notice.
Director claimed the teacher was not giving appropriate attention to students. Teacher was widely regarded as the best teacher at the school. We suspect he was fired because of his F-4 status. The other foreign teacher and I have e-2 status, meaning a higher investment value by the school.

July 20, 2009 - Document titled 'Warning to all teachers' given.
This paper is a laundry list of things they want/expect. It lists no specific events or names. It just says 'warning to all teachers' and says that they are disappointed in the teachers. The paper looks more like a memo, but at the top it says 'warning' so they are considering this as a warning. I should also mention that when this memo was given, we were taken into a cctv equipped classroom and talked individually. When I was taken into that room, the Academic Director told me directly that he thinks that I am the best teacher in the school and that if I were to leave, they might as well shutdown the school. He told me that this memo was more aimed at the other teachers. Not signed by anyone.

July 28, 2009 - Document titled 'Notice' given.
Another memo with 5 items listed. Saying come to class on time, be prepared, stay in the class, use class prep time (breaks) for class related works. The last line says 'You may consider this notice as a warning to your behavior.' No specific names or events listed. Not signed by anyone.

September 9, 2009 - Document titled 'Memo' given
Yet another memo that lists a bunch of procedures and protocols. No names or specific events listed anywhere. Not signed by anyone.

September 16, 2009 - E-2 Foreign teacher fired on the spot.
Teacher was fired and not given 30 day notice. The previous memos/warnings were basically setting him up for a firing.

October 30, 2009 - Document titled 'Termination Notice' given.
Directed into a cctv equipped classroom and told how much they don't like my teaching. Handed the termination notice. I asked them if this was really what they wanted to do and if it was the right decision. I told them that I have watched them fire many of the Korean staff and all of the other foreign teachers within a span of 8 months. I told them that I was fully prepared for what I would be doing next and to reconsider handing me this paper. This paper is only signed by the director. The paper says that I can work until December 2nd and that I will be paid up until then.

[ThingsComeAround]

Get your money in advance. IMO, they will screw you over at the last minute, like they did the others. Get the cash and GTFO

[Ramen]

10th month firing!

I guess they don't want to pay your severance and airfare. They think they got their firing procedures down, but they will lose at the end.

My advice is to gather all your previous documents and file for labor board claim.

Good luck!

[Some of the Mothers Said]

Sounds like a pretty crappy situation. I'm sorry to hear that. I don't know if it's possible for you, but it would be good to know the name of the school and it's location for others who might be interested in avoiding it. However I don't know if you can post it here.
MODS advise.

[conbon78]

Well I came from a VERY similar situation at my old hagwon. My director also just fired people at will and then made it look like their fault without ever giving a warning. These are the type of hagwons that need to be stopped. Definitely file a claim with the labor board first. I did that since my boss refused to pay my plane ticket since I stayed in the country AND never paid into the pension. As soon as he found out about the claim, he wanted to settle, which worked to my benefit. Anyway, you can think about this one of two ways - 1) fight him because these owners need to be dragged through the mud and people need to know what is going on OR 2) be thankful that you are getting out. My old boss was going to fire me after 6 months, but I managed to hang on until a year and what a waste of a year that was. He was just awful and I wish I had left earlier.

[D-Jay]

[Trinidad]

WHO CARES - NO SCHOOL NAME. Grab some yarbles and let us
know who these people are.

Did you use your real name when you signed up for Dave's? If you did
you're not too bright.

If you didn't then spill. You think the CIA, MI6 and Mossad will be tailing
you. hahaha

[asylum seeker]

There's a hagwon blacklist on Facebook as well. Just do a search for 'hagwon blacklist' and you'll find it.

[Forward Observer]

This kind of thing has been going on since before the internet in Korea. It's too bad that people don't either leave the school when they suspect it's going to happen to them - after a few months in - one should know in their gut what kind of director they have, or ask for phone numbers/contact information of previous teachers (at least three) so you can find out what their experiences were with the school.

Can't tell you how many times we've seen and heard these stories from friends and from this website. It's just sad that schools are able to get away with it.

[The Gipkik]

Yes, these things are tragically common. Now, this is an example of third world behavior.

Here's an email a Korean friend sent me a month ago:

"Actually I got taken from my job ,which I was working as an English teacher there .
The Director decieved all the teachers and students and just ran away with all money she got. I felt so terrible that I tried sueing the director .but things were so complicated
to carry that. what can i do,, I just tried to let it go and forget .
I guess now It's time to focus on studying. not working for money."

[call_the_shots]

There was a recent thread about blacklists here:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=139678

[Steelrails]

[I-am-me]

Please post the name of the school and city. Let it be a warning to others.

[sketcha]

hope you'll land on your feet, the sooner the better

myself, I cant imagine being tied down/connected to that school any longer

whatever your next step is, be wise, use your head, dont let emotion cloud your judgment -

[Arthur Dent]