Korean Job Discussion Forums

classydame · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Location: Korea

So what started as an ok experience in Korea is quickly becoming a nightmare. The director just opened up a new kindergarden and the previously made promise of no split shifts has quickly dissolved. Not only am I teaching the new kindy classes, but also all the old elementary and middle school classes. I'm now working at the hagwon from 10-9 most days with a useless 3.5 hour break in the middle. I tried to talk to the director but he wouldn't budge. The closest I could come to a resolution was agreeing to revisit the schedule again in a month. When the month is up, what is the best way to approach this?

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

Leave. Just up and leave. The sooner the bosses learn that treating the employees like slaves doesn't work, the better off the employees will be. And, apparently, the only way to get that message across to a boss in Korea is to just quit without notice.

classydame · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Location: Korea

I'd rather not take that route because I like the Korean teachers and would feel bad if they had to cover for me. Plus my hubby and I are the only foreign teachers, so the school would pretty much be screwed. I'd rather come to a mutually beneficial arrangement than screw anyone over. Crazy, I know.

brier · Joined: 14 Dec 2009

Michelle · Joined: 18 May 2003

Goon-Yang · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Duh

Is it all in the same building? If it's a different address..you can't work there. Visa issues and all that.
If you hate it leave. You don't want to screw over your boss, but it's ok for him to screw you over and go back on his word. Do you see something wrong here? What else did he say he'd do? Pay you pension? Bonus? Return flight? If you can't trust him you can't trust him.

classydame · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Location: Korea

Oh, and I have 11 classes today. Just thought I would bitch more:)

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

Manuel_the_Bandito · Joined: 12 Sep 2009

I know what I'd do but if you want to shoot for a "a mutually beneficial arrangement" be my guest.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

classydame · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Location: Korea

Well, something mutually beneficial would be best, but something which doesn't result in me being back home broke as a joke would be second best:)

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

There's always Japan!

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

Always demand that you get the exact contact hours in the contract not just the school hours. That way when they pull this crap you have something to support you.

You also made the second mistake by actually doing it one day. Once you agreed to show up and teach the extra kindy classes and have your schedule changed, you lost.

I don't know why you are asking for advice here. You are not listening to the only reasonable things to do. You are letting fear and guilt stop you from getting what you deserve.

Just quit and find a new job. Demand a letter of release from your contract and move on.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:39 am Post subject:

If this situation is too much for you (and it appears to be) then tend in your resignation and seek other work.

By doing that you screw over no one as your school will have time to find replacements.

Talking to your boss and saying the split and number of classes is too much for you and that you prefer to quite before burning out is your right. Your boss may see this and think he wants to keep you two. He could hire another foreign teacher to teach kindie as a result.