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Baron
Joined: 30 Jun 2009
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 Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject: Advice on changing job: |
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I'll cut a long story short; but basically I've been fired by my hagwon. It was for a multitude of reasons but basically; my kindergarten teacher and I didn't get along.
I was very deferential to her; apologised for everything she said I was doing wrong (even when I believed she was in the wrong) and went out of my way to keep her happy. I think the main issue was that I replaced the guy that has been there for three years, who Im not embaressed to admit is a much better teacher than me. He had been doing it for three years; was settled in the role, whilst I had no teaching experience and I think she resented having someone there, who I'll freely admit for maybe the first two months didn't have a clue what he was doing. I came in February and I believe within the last two moths, I had started to improve significantly and had built upa real rapport with the kids, but whatever she said to the director, there replacing me anyhow.
They obviously waited until they had the new person sorted until they told me. He's coming next week and I've been given notice to the26th of July. Im expected to train him as well apparantly. I think Im ready to change jobs anyhow as my hours are terrible (this week for example, I am the only foreign teacher because the other foreign teacher is away for a month so Im working from half 9 to half 8 most days of the week.) I was ready to hand in my notice except that there was a stipulation in my contract stating that I had to pay 1,5 million if I quit voluntarily so hopefully it works out for the better.
The director even promised to help get me a job if I wanted and would give me a reference.
I was just wondering, I finish up on the 26th of July, I've been teaching here since February; I've already organised apostilled police form, transcripts etc.and they should be here by the end of next week at the latest. Whatare my chances of securing a job by that time? Will I run into much hassle with immigration, visa run etc? Would my visa with my current school expire on July 26th requiring me to leave the countrystraight away to avoid massive fines? Do new schools generally organise visa runs before you begin the job?
Also, will my old school take my flight money from my final pay check? I got fired so I think Im pretty safe there, am I right? 26th of July was also supposed to be start of my week's vacation, what a bummer! Hopefully, it'll work out for the best if I get a better job. |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 5:54 am Post subject: Re: Advice on changing job: |
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| Baron wrote: |
| I'll cut a long story short; but basically I've been fired by my hagwon. It was for a multitude of reasons but basically; my kindergarten teacher and I didn't get along. |
yet apparently you're still teaching there?
| Baron wrote: |
| I was very deferential to her; apologised for everything she said I was doing wrong (even when I believed she was in the wrong) and went out of my way to keep her happy. |
sounds like you never earned her respect - why would you be so deferential and apologise for everything? do you have no self-respect at all? there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone - and since YOU were brought THERE it is also up to your school to keep YOU happy as well - which apparently wasn't considered? or at least you don't think that was necessary?
| Baron wrote: |
| I think the main issue was that I replaced the guy that has been there for three years, who Im not embaressed to admit is a much better teacher than me. He had been doing it for three years; was settled in the role, whilst I had no teaching experience and I think she resented having someone there, who I'll freely admit for maybe the first two months didn't have a clue what he was doing. I came in February and I believe within the last two moths, I had started to improve significantly and had built upa real rapport with the kids, but whatever she said to the director, there replacing me anyhow. |
if you do want to continue teaching (anywhere) it would behoove you to sit down with your director and try to understand exactly why they find it necessary to replace you but unnecessary to do so immediately. I mean, if you are such a terrible teacher, why continue to let you work there at all ?
| Baron wrote: |
| They obviously waited until they had the new person sorted until they told me. He's coming next week and I've been given notice to the26th of July. Im expected to train him as well apparantly. |
and "train" another teacher? what's up with that? again, have you no self-respect at all? if you've yet to assert your rights (and you do have them, you know) you might want to start with this aspect of your job. is it stated in your contract you have to "train" someone? were you given this kind of training? (if so, you didn't mention it). are you comfortable with it? seriously - training your replacement when you aren't leaving voluntarily?
| Baron wrote: |
| I think Im ready to change jobs anyhow as my hours are terrible (this week for example, I am the only foreign teacher because the other foreign teacher is away for a month so Im working from half 9 to half 8 most days of the week.) I was ready to hand in my notice except that there was a stipulation in my contract stating that I had to pay 1,5 million if I quit voluntarily so hopefully it works out for the better. |
are you getting paid overtime? and WHY would you (anyone?!!) sign a contract that said YOU had to pay your EMPLOYER if you left early? btw, this is illegal, the labor board will not allow an employer to withhold money from an employee that is owed for services rendered. that is, the employer cannot arbitrarily "fine" an employee and confiscate wages earned.
| Baron wrote: |
| The director even promised to help get me a job if I wanted and would give me a reference. |
 yeah, I'm sure he will. he sounds like such a great guy to work for. 
| Baron wrote: |
| I was just wondering, I finish up on the 26th of July, I've been teaching here since February; I've already organised apostilled police form, transcripts etc.and they should be here by the end of next week at the latest. Whatare my chances of securing a job by that time? Will I run into much hassle with immigration, visa run etc? Would my visa with my current school expire on July 26th requiring me to leave the countrystraight away to avoid massive fines? Do new schools generally organise visa runs before you begin the job? |
1) you can always secure another teaching job in Korea especially if you are willing to sign on to the kind of contract you obviously just signed and put up with the kind of nonsense you are putting up with now
2) you can't go on a visa run when you are still working under your current visa. one at a time, ok?
3) immi could care less if you are fired. as long as your employer cancels your visa - and make sure they do that by sending someone to accompany you to immi on or immediately after your last day of employment; you will be given a minimum of 2 weeks to leave; if you ask for 30 days immi will give it to you, it's different than when you are finishing a one year contract.
| Baron wrote: |
| Also, will my old school take my flight money from my final pay check? I got fired so I think Im pretty safe there, am I right? 26th of July was also supposed to be start of my week's vacation, what a bummer! Hopefully, it'll work out for the best if I get a better job. |
what part of you are being royally screwed do you not get? be prepared to see major deductions in your last pay; hopefully not, but prepare yourself anyway. remember, they are firing you but (1) making you train your replacement (2) making you work excessively long hours (3) never apparently gave you adequate training hence they failed at your inexperience, not you (4) don't seem terribly put out about your situation at all especially since they gave you an illegal contract believing you will pay them 1.5 million won in blood money if you want to leave early.
I also hope you get a better job but - and please pay attention here - signing the kind of contracts like you did rarely lead to better jobs.
seriously, OP, you might want to research the contract sticky on here as well as some of the other posts and stickies before signing another contract - at the very least, do a summer camp and meet some other teachers - see what others are doing and how they are doing it. |
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Baron
Joined: 30 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 5:55 am Post subject: |
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Hey, thanks for the advice.
I know Im an idiot sigining that ridiculous contract, I signed it back in December when I was just desperate to come here and had been finding it hard to secure a job. Naive I know, but at least I now know better.
I wasn't that clear about the training thing sorry. Im just assuming that the new guy coming will be shadowing my class for a week before he starts as that's what I did with the other foreign teacher. The other foreign teacher is not back till the middle of July and Im assuming that the new person coming in has no experience either because I seriously doubt any person with experience would sign such a shitty contract that I can only assume has been presented to him too. Pity I never got to talk to him to warn him.
I started applying for jobs yesterday and have been getting emails and texts already seeing when Im available so things are looking up. I'll be much more careful about the next contract I sign.
He promised me he would pay me overtime this month; I don't think they can take flight money from me if Im not leaving voluntarily but I'll make sure to clear that up as Im sure you know, Koreans have a nasty habit of just doing things at times and not explaning themselves overly well.
Once again, thanks for the advice. Appreciate it. |
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