Korean Job Discussion Forums

digirl2956 · Joined: 01 May 2007

I was offered a job verbally in an email with a school. They are been talking to me for 3 weeks.I turned down 4 interviews as they ask me to sign the contracts and mail them plus a power of attorney since I would not be going to the immigration office because they are 4 hours away. I asked some questions about the school ( like do they have a computer and color printer etc and the Educational board didn't seem keen on answering. They treated me as if I had no right to ask. I got an email. I later got an email asking my opinion on the curriculum. I got an email today saying they did not want to contract with me after they already promised me a contract. Can they do that and what are my options>

ed · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

sorry but a verbal contract is only worth the paper it is printed on.

some korean employers consider a written contract a verbal contract

isisaredead · Joined: 18 May 2010

OP: wait, what?

samd · Joined: 03 Jan 2007

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

sulperman · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

You asked the school if they have a computer?

nukeday · Joined: 13 May 2010

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

Don't ever give a school power of attorney..

digirl2956 · Joined: 01 May 2007

It was a limited power of attorney to go to the immigration office. Please take my post serious. Why should they if we don't. I only have 5 days left on my contract and no job. So please understand how I feel.

nukeday · Joined: 13 May 2010

To answer your question: no. You got burned. Nothing is settled until you sign your contract (a signed contract doesn't even stop us from later not taking the job), and even then it's not really settled until you go to immigration and get your visa. And even then...you get the picture. You don't really have any recourse.

Sorry. Sounds like you have a lot of job offers and interest in you, so get back on the hunt. Go for a trip to Japan and come back on a tourist visa. Stay at a goshiwon.

These are steps that will be more rewarding for you than trying to get something from the people who burned you.

BTW never heard of giving a school power of attorney to go to the immigration office for me. I'm not saying it's not possible, but it sounds quite exceptional.

Hardy Boy · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:15 am Post subject:

Is a written contract binding in Korea?

Hagwon bosses sure don't act like it is!

Four hagwons, four breaches of contract. I've had to pick and choose my battles, putting up with some more than others.

Not much respect shown for the word of law around here it often seems. Rule by custom rather than rule by law, the way of traditional peoples the world over. Korea appears to be only half-modern in this sense.

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

Don't mean this as a dig at you, but your best option is not to work in Korea. Your original post clearly shows that you have no concept of what it means to work in Korea. The vultures will eat you alive.