Korean Job Discussion Forums

[martyscorsese]

My principal has found a rather unfavorable review of the school and her management style on reliableteacher.com. Though the review was not mine, she's bent on proving that it was. She has threatened to use a lawyer to press the review website for information, then sue the review writer for slander. She's also told me that if the review doesn't come down within two days, she'll penalize the other departing teachers as well as myself by making it difficult to get our full year-end bonuses.

How much power does she have, legally? The site promises anonymity, but if I ask them to take the review down, will she take that as proof that it was me writing all along?

I see no graceful solution to this. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Any advice would be very, very much appreciated.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

Did you write the review?

Edit: People, please go there and read the reviews. I don't believe a word of them.

[ChopChaeJoe]

Sounds like the place is even worse than the review.

Link?

[martyscorsese]

I didn't write it, but it doesn't matter. She's not in the habit of being reasonable, and she'll not believe me no matter what tack is taken.

Thoughts?

Edit: I'll PM you with the link.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

That's not necessary, I read the link.

If you didn't write it, then you need her to believe you're on her side, and that you would support any action against people who would slander her.

Also, if you've already made the choice that she will never believe you, no matter the truth, then why are you asking for advice? You're up a creek, plain and simple.

Do nothing. Take what's coming to you, should you prefer to be a victim in this situation. That's your choice.

[martyscorsese]

Whoops - If you want the link, you'll have to PM me. I don't have enough posts to PM anyone, currently. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[eleruen]

she can't prove it was you.

Get a lawyer. get the lawyer to hire a programmer who can access when the post was made (if it is not shown). Even if the post was made during your stint, she still can't prove it was you.

Either way get a lawyer. Like i said, she cannot prove it was you without irrefutable evidence, and this should stand up in court.

Also if the slanderous post is related to y a particular event or events...how can you possibly know what has happened in the past in you weren't working there?

Also get the Labour board and a korean friend involved.

Anyway, she sounds unreasonable, therefore whatever was written in the report may have an element of truth in it.

Do you really want to work for someone so unreasonable??? Just leave.

If you are over 6 months into your contract, leave the country...you can't be blacklisted by immigration after 6 months service.

[eleruen]

I forgot to add,

If you have no emotional ties in korea, ie you are single, just leave.

If you have a partner, then it is worth fighting against this women.

[Pinished]

[strange_brew]

From the sounds of your director, is the review true? She seems unreasonable. And if it is true, why take it down, let other people know of crappy hagwons.

[Pinished]

[bliss]

I agree that you should at least consult with a lawyer.

[Pinished]

[bassexpander]

Ha, as if there's even a hint of a legal case here!

Just be insistent that you didn't write it, and then ask them if they've had any past teachers who would do such a thing? Act really sorry for them. Hell, if they tried to sue me, I'd stand before the judge and act just like that. And how could the judge fault me? What proof would there be??

Your boss is just trying to save face knowing she can't -- so she's lashing-out at you. The teacher who did this is likely long gone and out of their power, so your poor boss has no control in the situation. I bet they know who did it, actually (or have a string of possibilities).