Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Spionen]

I've only been in Korea for about a month and a half at this point, but I'm thinking of running in a month or two, either next payday or the one after.

Why? Well, my hagwon hasn't done anything illegal, so it's not that. Teachers seem to get paid on time (I haven't gotten my first paycheck yet, due a few weeks ago, but I don't have a bank account so I didn't really expect to. I think all they do is direct deposit). The hours are pretty awful- nothing unimaginable, but certainly the worst of anyone I've spoken to in Korea apart from my coworkers who obviously work the same amount (9 hours a day including lunch break, between five and seven of which are spent in the classroom).

Mostly I want to leave because my boss is completely horrible in a legal, but incredibly demoralizing way. He never speaks a single word to me which isn't critical and often downright insulting, complaining about everything from me doing things in the classroom which he or the head teacher explicitly told me to do to the way I dress (professional- more so than my coworkers most of the time). The other foreign teachers all agree he's not a particularly nice person, but he seems to have it out for me in particular for reasons I can't guess. I like the kids and I like teaching and my coworkers are great, but I'd really rather not spend 40 hours a week in this man's presence if I can help it, especially when there's such an easy out.

On top of that, a job I was pursuing before coming to Korea (in a different country) has reopened and is now on the table as a definite possibility starting sometime in April/May/June.

So why not just quit and give my 60 days' notice (specified in the contract)? Three reasons:
1) I can't imagine how much more hostile my job environment would get after doing that. Sixty days of an EXTRA pissed off boss? Ugh.
2) If the new job opportunity wants me in April, I don't exactly have time to give two months' notice.
3) This one is horrible, but... I can't afford to pay back the plane ticket yet.

Just the thought of doing a runner makes me feel pretty guilty- mostly on my coworkers' behalf, as they'd probably end up shouldering the burden. Absolutely everything in me besides that screams that I should take off and never look back.

How horrible am I, really, for considering this?

[oskinny1]

[The Gipkik]

[CentralCali]

He is doing something illegal. He's withholding your pay. And it certainly doesn't take a month and a half to (a) get your ARC and then (b) open a bank account. Before you get (a) and (b) done, your boss is still required to pay you for your work. There is a reason, after all, for the government printing cash notes.

If the boss wants you to repay the cost of the ticket over, let him try to sue you in the country you've moved to. It certainly looks as though you've already "paid back the loan for the ticket." There's absolutely no excuse whatsoever for not paying someone for "a few weeks." The beauty of this is that he won't be able to sue you in the new country; however, you can appoint someone to appear on your behalf at the Labor Board and in small claims court to pursue the balance due you after the cost of the ticket is deducted.

No, the OP is not a thief. The boss is, and a liar to boot.

By the way, it is not illegal for you to give less than 60 days notice. There are, of course, contractual penalties for that unless the contract does not contain such penalties. But you are not a slave and you can quit on the spot: "Boss, I'm fed up with your illegal acts and your abusive treatment. I resign effictive immediately." No law at all against that.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Give your 30days notice and pay back the airfaire. You said you do not have the money yet and are considering milking this job for 1-2 months and then running...that means you will have the money to pay for the airfaire sooner than later....

From what you describe your employer, except for being unpleasant on a personal level, has not cheated you in anyway. Your pay issue is confusing because of the way you presented. You say you have been here for about a month. Then how can your paycheck have been due a few weeks ago?

Assuming you are paid on a monthly basis, your first paycheck is due at the end of your first month or in the first 10 days of your second month. So how can it be a few weeks overdue?

[Spionen]

Maybe you're right, Patrick. The reason I thought that is that all employees are paid on the first of every month, by which point I'd been here for a few weeks. Assumed I'd get paid for those weeks then and a full month on the first of next, but maybe that's not how it works? The contract pretty much says nothing about this except "employees will be paid on the first of every month."

Anyway, to be honest I hadn't thought much one way or the other about paying back the flight. I readily admit that not paying it back would be a scummy thing to do, but as I said before, when I approach the issue of running from a moral standpoint (which it's hard not to do), ditching my coworkers and forcing them to pick up the pieces has always been my first concern. If I decide that's something I can come to terms with (help, guys... is it?) then I'd worry about the flight. Is it possible to do a runner- thus avoiding points 1 and 2 in my first post- and pay back the ticket afterward or would I have to legit quit with my sixty (not thirty) days' notice and have them deduct it from a paycheck?

Thanks for the answers so far, everyone!

[dirving]

Pat's right and he's, perhaps, mistaken: Try asking for teaching advice, and get her/him to nail down a date upon which you're gonna get your first month's wages. After reaching an amicable agreement, and only then, carry on at your position. Otherwise, wait until you get your over-due wages. Then, just split!

[Troglodyte]

It sounds like the OP mainly wants to leave because he's got another job available. If that's the main reason, I'd say that leaving is a bit dodgy on his part. BUT if the school didn't pay him on time (a few weeks too late), then he can still take the moral high ground.


What IS his obligation for giving notice? If his contract says that the teacher or employer have to give 60 days notice, is that an obligation from the beginning? I've heard before (probably on this forum) that in the first 6 months, the employee is still legally considered on probation, so the school doesn't have to give them any notice before firing them - regardless of what's written in the contract. If that's the case, then what is the employee's obligation to the school during that probationary period? I'm sure that there are clauses in the contract that stipulate what happens if a contract is cancelled, but are they enforceable during this probationary period?


To the OP, be sure to get paid before you give notice. If you give notice BEFORE being paid, you WON'T be paid. Just ask for cash. Most schools will pay you in cash. (Many schools would LOVE to pay you in cash because that's a great way for them to unload any undeclared income.)

[CentralCali]

The date one's wages will be paid should be stipulated in the contract.

[Wishmaster]

Okay OP, you've got to look out after number #1. That is you. Besides, what is it with this "ethics" garbage. Your employer would cut you and throw you out on the street if he could. I've never understood this sense of "loyalty" that people feel for a job(especially one with a dodgy boss here in Korea). Life is short and why let an opportunity pass you by just so you can finish out a contract(or give notice) in Korea? No brainer, really. DO NOT GIVE NOTICE!!! If you are going to leave, just leave. You give notice and they'll make your last month(or two) pure hell plus rape you on deductions. I've done a runner before and I felt like a million bucks because my boss was an arrogant SOB. Just take care of yourself because if the roles were reversed, they sure as hell wouldn't be honorable with you.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[CentralCali]

[Spionen]

[plynx]