Korean Job Discussion Forums

perkxplosion · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Location: gogo's. you know know.

Okay, so I just switched jobs in March from working at a hagwan in Suwon (elem through middle school aged). I essentially got screwed by my last job but we won't get into details on that. So here is my new complicated situation...

I found my new job at a kindergarten through Dave's. My recruiter informed me she had found me a position in the area I was interested in. Well, this new position started at the beginning of March. The problem was that I could not legally switch positions (get a letter of release) until March 13th because that was exactly 6 months from my arrival date. In order to get around the issue my recruiter told me she would have my old boss put my new school on as part of my duty to him as an employer. He did so accordingly. She assured me that this was all legal.

Well, when it came time for me to go to immigration with my paper that stated my work addition of my new school, they had me sign a bogus 1 month contract on the spot (which I had no idea would be happening). It really put me in a tough situation at the moment. I know some of you may be thinking "Well that was stupid." But you have to understand I was already in a tough situation having lost my first job and seriously needing money to pay off student debt. Needless to say, I signed it and we submitted it to immigration. It was added to my work duty and everything was fine. After March 13th passed we went back to immigration and had my workplace transfer processed. At this point I signed my legal 1 year contract. I had already signed a different 1 year contract before that (before we knew about the job transfer problem).

After this I happened to meet another foreigner who works for the same kindergarten as me but a different school. He told me to be careful with immigration because he was pretty sure I couldn't legally work at a kindergarten on an E-2 visa. Is that true or is there any basis to that?

Ok, my last concern... My school has about 9 full time staff members and 4 or 5 part time. My first paycheck was paid in full. However, my Korean co-worker informed me that this month was the second month in a row that she hasn't been paid. I also found out my owner has been late on payments with other teachers. Being a little late is one thing, but not paying someone for two months is crazy. Does it sound to you like the school may be struggling financially? I'm making sure to save my money as best as I can just incase I were to have to provide my own trip home.

Honestly I'm happy with the kindergarten overall. The staff is nice, my hours aren't too bad, good food, and a resonable apartment. It's only the above mentioned that concernes me. Does anyone know of similar experiences or situations like this? Any input or info on my overall situation with immigration? Thanks.

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

You can not work at an Awrini jip (daycare). I think a kindergarten is ok.

perkxplosion · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Location: gogo's. you know know.

sparkplug · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

It's definitely okay for you to teach kindergarten on an E-2... just about everyone does.

As far as your concerns about pay... try not to worry about it until something happens. Don't let anything slip. If you get paid late then confront your boss. If they make a trend out of it or don't pay you then report them to the Ministry of Justice. You can file a petition against your school on e-people: http://www.epeople.go.kr/jsp/user/on/eng/intro01.jsp
Once you file, it'll take about a week to process and then someone will call you verifying that you want the MOJ to investigate the school. Your boss will have to go to a mandatory meeting about your case and will most likely have to pay you everything owed. The whole process will put your school on record with the Labor Board which gives schools a bad reputation so they will have more incentive to cover their bases.

I filed a petition against my old hakwon. At first they were being b*tchfaces to me until the MOJ called them for an investigation. Just having the appointment with the Labor Board gave me a lot of leverage.

And worse comes to worse... you still shouldn't have to pay for a ticket home. I think you could just do a visa run.

hsaeoa · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: Daegu

perkxplosion · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Location: gogo's. you know know.

Yeah, I don't think there will be any visa run for me if this job were to have other problems. I think I'd be done with Korea on those circumstances... I actually have a job lined up for when I get back, so it's not such a big deal.

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

unfortunately, it's not unusual for Korean co-teachers to be paid late, or very very late, while the NETs are paid on time.

when a Korean teacher confides this to you, take it with a grain of salt. there's nothing you can do about it and it's up to them to do something, they speak the language and have resources to do something about it.

at the same time, it tells you something about your boss you might not have suspected otherwise. hold on to this info and remember it just in case the day might come when you aren't sure about whether something's fishy or not - chances are, it will be, and that's when it's time to make plans.

perkxplosion · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Location: gogo's. you know know.

This week I was supposed to be paid on Monday but then my owner told me she would get me the money on Friday. My first paycheck was paid on time, however at that time she was TWO months behind paying the other English teacher (Korean). Now it's Friday and I still haven't seen anything. I asked my director about it and am waiting to hear any news. This pay period she currently hasn't paid anyone and for some reason just last week hired an additional teacher. People are dumbfounded as to why. Also, from what I understand she is behind payment on more than one teacher, as well as this pay periods pay. I'm not panicing or anything like that, it's just a little irritating and definately an akward position to speak about with her. Of course, that doesn't mean I am or at all plan on avoiding the situation.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

perkxplosion · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Location: gogo's. you know know.

toadkillerdog · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Location: Daejeon. ROK

any updates?

perkxplosion · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Location: gogo's. you know know.

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

perkxplosion · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Location: gogo's. you know know.

Wow so I just found out that my owner is going on a two week trip this coming Monday to the US. During that time is our pay period. Shocked

I spoke with my director who reassured me I will be paid. This is not very reassuring at all. All the teachers are stressed and irritated at this point. My Korean co-teacher explained to me that everyone is afraid they won't get paid. She herself will be behind by 3 paychecks this month if she isn't paid. I feel really bad for my co-workers, especially because they are all super nice to me and nobody has really brought it up at all. I'm pretty sure if I am paid late this time around I'm going to be getting the labor board involved. Sorry this thread has turned into venting more than input. What a complex situation this is. I love my school, director, and owner but these pay issues are unacceptable.

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009