Korean Job Discussion Forums

[david]

I signed a contract in July, obtained an E2 visa the same month, and got an ARC not long thereafter. I didn't think I was doing bad at my job, but was recently told by my recruiter that the school wishes to get rid of me for a couple of reasons I find suspect.

The first involves noise in my apartment. I have a Korean tv with A Korean remote control. ( I can't speak or read Korean. ) The tv had a built in alarm set at the highest volume that would go off each morning at 5:00 a.m. When I was home I'd shut it off immediately, but if I wasn't around it would go off and on a few occasions woke up my neighbors. This greatly upset my neighbor and landlord. About two weeks ago; after notifying my employer of the problem a month earlier; I finally had somebody over to shut the alarm off and now the problem is solved. ( I wasn't loud in my apartment otherwise and wrote an apology to my neighbor and landlord that I just delivered. )

The second involves me performing two of the lesson steps differently than the Korean teachers at my school. I only learned that I was doing this wrong a week or so ago after watching a training video during a free period. ( I am irked because none of the Korean teachers told me I was doing this wrong when they sat in my classes observing my lessons. )
I got an e-mail from my recruiter saying that the Director doesn't want to work with me anymore for these reasons. This mail also informed me that a verbal warning from the area supervisor should count as a written warning as should an e-mail from my recruiter although neither the verbal warning or e-mail noted that they were warnings and should be considered as such. ( 2 written warnings are just cause for twenty days notice and dismissal according to the contract. )

I didn't even count the e-mail as a written warning; nevermind the minute long talking to that occured a few months ago when I informed the manager of the alarm on the tv and he informed me of a few minor problems he'd learned of through a third party. ( I've never had an alarm on a tv nor was I aware that I was doing things at work improperly. ) I need to keep my job and intended on staying 12 months at the school. What are my options? Will another school be willing to hire me soon? Will a letter of release suffice or must I re-order all of the E2 docs required? Is the school's behavior illegal? How should I approach potential employers in the near future if I do have to find a new job?

I feel as if I'm kind of being harassed and bullied here, but am aware that I could be overreacting. Any advice would be appreciated. Please help!

[seonsengnimble]

Usually, if you're not there for 9 months, you need to get a new visa. If I were in your situation, I would speak to the director. Ask him or her what the situation is and if you need to find another job.

In my experience, even if you're doing a good job and everyone likes you, sometimes, the higher ups will tell you you're not doing well to keep you on your toes. They will make up parent complaints or tell you that someone who quit because they're moving, quit because of your teaching.

The other possibility is that there's some unrelated reason they want to let you go. Maybe they want to cut back on the staff or they know of someone else who is either cheaper or a blue eyed blond woman.

If you are being let go, you should be able to get your paperwork fairly quickly. You won't need another criminal check, and there are plenty of hagwon gigs out there.

[blade]

[sugarkane59]

Why didn't you just pull the TV plug out when you weren't watching it? Would it have gone off without power at the mains?

[david]

I didn't even think of pulling the plug until someone mentioned doing so. I know it sounds ridiculous, but this is the truth.

Regarding the LOR: I won't need one if I transfer to a public school, but will if I move to a hogwan. Correct? Do I need to re-order any or all of the documents?

[cruisemonkey]

david,

If you joined in Nov. 2003... and it takes you over six years to learn how to work a remote (no matter what language), you are either: the dumbest person on the face of the earth, or a troll.

[david]

What's the difference between a moron and a troll? Aside: What is the policy on the LOR if a person seeks to move from one hogwan to the next? To a Public School or University? Is this policy set in stone? Any advice would be appreciated.

[cruisemonkey]