Korean Job Discussion Forums

charliebrown84 · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: Daegu, South Korea

Just checking to see if anyone's heard of this place. I've tried google and the search option on Dave's, but found nothing. Any chance I might have scored an interview with the infamous Wonderland? I might have an interview with them on Saturday, so I hope this catches someone's eye before then.

presson · Joined: 10 Feb 2009

Hey Charlie,

I think the academy that you're talking about is called something like 'World Wise'. There's only a couple of English academies in Banghwa dong that hire foreign teachers and Wonderland isn't one of them. As far as I know the foreign teachers that have worked there have stayed for quite a few years..one guy 5+ years...so it can't be that bad. Hope that this was of some help and good luck.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

This is OLDer (first hand) information and I do not know of their current state of being.

They were in a lot of hot water here a couple (3?) years ago (shortly after they changed names to "W" from "EWHA"). They forgot to pay their staff for a few months and ended up with most of the foreign staff filing complaints with the labor office and leaving Korea without ever seeing their money, airfare or severance.

MAKE DARN SURE they have their finances in order (check with current staff (more than 1 and do it when the boss is NOT standing over their shoulder) to make sure they are getting paid as well has have their medical and pension properly taken care of.

Historically the foreign staff haven't had medical or pension, have been over taxed (3.3-4.5%) and pay was often sporadic.

.

charliebrown84 · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: Daegu, South Korea

Hmm, this doesn't bode well... Thanks for the advice anyways.

I wondering... would they really try to pull the whole 'What health insurance/pension?' gag even with someone who's been here a year and probably has had the benefit of these two all-powerful items?

tophatcat · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Location: under the hat

presson · Joined: 10 Feb 2009

How was the interview Charlie?

charliebrown84 · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: Daegu, South Korea

It went well, but there is a major issue with the starting date. They need someone mid-August since the current teacher will leave to start the PS seminar training. However, my contract doesn't finish until the end of August.

I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and end my contract those two weeks early and lose the severance pay, otherwise I might not get another offer and be on a plane home...

Also, any advice about how this would look later on in my career? Did I actually break my contract, and if so, would there be some way to show that it was only based on starting/ending dates, not because I just quit?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Let me get this straight:

You want to quit your current job 2 weeks early, forgo your severance and airfare (between 2-3 MILLION won) so you can start work in another hakwon?

Essentially you are giving up about 4 million won (lost salary and benefits from your current job) - the equivalent of 2 months salary at your new job to start at a new the new job (at a hagwan) 2 weeks early for their convenience?

Sorry, I can't see the cost/benefit working out there.

There is still no shortage of hakwon jobs. Finish your current contract, take a week off for a holiday and pick a new job with the start of the new term (there will be a lot of new hakwon positions opening with the new school term - always is). You are here and will be able to take your pick from them.

.

charliebrown84 · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: Daegu, South Korea

It definitely is a bad idea, but I just don't want to leave yet. Plus after my bills at home, I don't know if I'd have the extra cash to make a visa run to Japan or wherever. If I finish my contract without another job lined up, do I have to start the whole visa process over from scratch?