Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Freeghen]

So my boss keeps booking me to work hours outside of those stated in my contract. I worked them before, but now he keeps trying to push the hours back further and further - making my day much longer. I've told him to knock it off, but he keeps doing it.
This week he has scheduled me 4 out of 5 days working outside of my hours.
I'm thinking of just not showing up to that class since i've made it quite clear this isn't acceptable and i'm tired of this crap.
What would you do?

[sulperman]

Don't just not show up, that puts you in the wrong. Just have a heart to heart, really look sad and hurt, and be firm and say you just can't do it. If that doesn't work, then move on to the more hard-edged refusal. But don't not show up, that will only hurt you.

[Freeghen]

[yingwenlaoshi]

Give us some detaills. What are your contractual hours and what times outside of that does he want you to work? Just curious. I'm not setting you up to tell you "Well that's not so bad." Just want to know.

[sulperman]

Some might disagree with this, but in one last-ditch attempt to avoid an all-out conflict, why not come up with a lie, like "I have Korean classes every night" or "I have a korean girlfriend (or boyfriend) and their grandparents like to have dinner with me every night" or something.

All out war is not good, and never ends well. So a lie might be your best option at this point.

That sucks, I feel for you.

[Freeghen]

Hours are 3 - 10, originally were 3 - 9 but I opened them an hour because he was bitching that he wanted more adult students and they come later.
Now he adds classes at 2 and was trying to get me to come from 1:30.
My schedule has changed 6 times in the last month alone and i'm getting pretty tired of it.

[frankly speaking]

If your schedule changes, but are still teaching less than the full time hours, that sucks. If he is paying you for overtime to teach additional classes that is good. You are not required to work overtime though.

If he just doesn't have enough classes for the 3-10 schedule, that sucks for him.

I would stand up and confront him as nicely as possible, but be firm. I wouldn't budge at all. Tell him that you have enjoyed working for him and that you have done a lot of compromising to help his school and meet the needs of the students, but your contract was signed by him and it states that your hours are from 3-9, then you have given him more already. Tell him that you want to help him but if you change your schedule again and work more hours, you will not be able to do as well for the students.

As a last resort if he still gives you any kind of crap or excuses, just tell him that if he can not respect you as a teacher and a valid employee, then you will have to give him notice. I would give 30 days notice and find another job. There are plenty of other schools that would take care of you.

Good luck. Try the Korean way of gratitude and guilt, then if that fails do what everyone else in a Western country does, resign and get a better working condition.

[Freeghen]

I have decided to resign since there have been a plethora of problems with this director.

My next question is ~ is it possible to get another legit job in Korea without your director signing you over to some where else?

[Seoul'n'Corea]

[Freeghen]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

If i wanted to take another job in Korea and leave this hagwon ASAP / or leave Korea altogether, do I even have to give him 30 says notice? i know it says that in the contract, but since he has breached our contract on numerous occasions would there even be any reprecussions at immigration, especially since I have proof and witnesses of him not following our contract?

[hugekebab]

[frankly speaking]

You can either go through immigration and labor board and sue them for immediate release, or you can give 30 days notice.

I would give 30 days notice.

Do you need to get a letter of release? If so then make sure that you do things very politely and do not show anger or any emotion during the process.

I would start looking for other jobs and build a rapport with the new school's management to help you with all of your visa process.

Good luck.

[Freeghen]

Thanks again for the advice everyone.

I am seriously considering a midnight run - but my questions to you all is...my fiance is Korean. What can happen if I want to come back here in a few years after the wedding to visit their family? Can this go on a record or flag my passport when i come back?

I'm not going to work here again. That is for sure.

[sketcha]

I'm pretty positive nothing will happen (your passport wont be flagged)

I usually dont condone running ... but it seems your boss cant be reason with

and I dont usually get into these discussions, but I can somewhat understand what you're going through (with the added work)

you could give him your 30-day notice, but if he's not paying you for the overtime you've been doing, and there's really no good communication/relationship between the two of you, I wouldnt really trust him to have a smooth parting at the end

just make sure everything is kosher on your end when you leave

and leave a resignation letter, let him know why you resign (in a firm, polite manner)

[lifeinkorea]

I don't see the point in a midnight run in all this.

I often write letters and give it to my co-teacher. I outline what I am willing to do, and I tell them the options they have.

From there, I set an "activation" date. This means, for example, if I agree to work 8:30-4:30 and they want me to work 6pm, they need to change my schedule to 11pm-7pm or pay me overtime. They can choose what they want by Friday, the end of the week. If there is no change offered, I will be going home at 4:30. They have been warned.

So far, this has worked at 2 schools, and a third school listened and changed the way they dealt with me.