Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ltnflvr]

Hi. I have been working at a private pre-k school for 7 months. For the past 4 months, my director ( the owner) and I have been engaging in verbal battles weekly. So finally today she gave me my 30 day notice and told me I am fired. Korean co-teachers keep on quitting. So I kind of mocked her for running a business in which nobody was happy working for her. Wrong of me, I understand. I have not received a letter of dismissal. I am not trying to take vengeance on her. However, I do feel as though I deserve at least half of my flight/severence paid for since I worked half of the year. I also worked 3 months illegally for her and have paystubs to prove it. What will be the consequence of me bringing these to the police/labor board? I also have a fake flight receipt she gave me to prove to customs that when I initially entered Korea 7 months ago, it was only for tourism. I know all of this sounds very childish and unpleasant, but I am just trying to be honest about the situation. By the way.... my contract basically says she can fire me for any reason she chooses. Any advice is appreciated.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

Take the 30 days notice. She doesn't owe you more than that.

[iwillteachyouenglish]

And none of these prior events served as red flags to you? Jesus, it sounds like you both knowingly broke laws.

[Son Deureo!]

[JustTurtle]

[oskinny1]

You seemed happy to go along with her (and your) illegal activities at the time, now you are being petty. You sound like someone in Florida calling the cops because your hooker stole your drugs.

Getting fired must suck though, good luck and I hope you get what is owed to you.

[Skippy]

I do agree on the plane ticket yes. The severance no - simple put you did not finish the year. These should have been negotiated before you signed a contract. I have met people who had negotiated that severance was paid every month. Alas

WOw I just came up with another rule about working in Korea. NOTHING is fair. If a school can screw you they will likely screw you. Damn fair if they can get away with it legally and ethically they will do it.

You might want to leave before. As some one commented you will likely be screwed on the last months pay.

Also three months illegal! I can understand a couple of weeks to a month but three months - thats dangerous and foolish.

[ltnflvr]

She needed a teacher quickly, so she brought me over as fast as possible. Then, it took a long time for the paperwork to get over. We both knew we were doing something illegal. So we are both in the wrong. I don't understand why that would make me more to blame?

I work 45 hours a week with 30 teaching hours. 2.1 Million. I try extremely hard and sweat for this place as I am sure many other people in my position do. My only break in the day is to have lunch and maybe 20 minutes a day in between writing multiple lengthy lesson plans, or making workbooks, or writing tests. (This was at a protest because before, I had to serve the kids lunch also.) I have never had a Korean co-teacher.
My boss asked me why I did not have a special lesson planned that I was advised to make 2 days prior for an open class in which the parents would attend. I told her I was too busy making tests the kids needed to take. I told her she should talk to me after class to not disrupt the lesson. Then she got very angry and pissy about this yelling at me in front of my class. So I said "Don't be angry with me just because all your Korean staff is quitting on you." That's when she made the students leave and told me if I did not apologize, I would be fired. So I did not apologize and she fired me with 30 days notice.

Then, when I asked for half my severance, she told me that Korean law says I am now owed the money. But then I told her that Korean law says she cannot hire an illegal worker as well. That is when I began thinking about using my previous illegal status as leverage. I thought of that because I currently feel innocent and powerless to this situation. So, Im sorry if some of you think I am unethical for that response, but maybe you understand now with the disclosed details. Advice?

[Ramen]

[samd]

As others have said, you won't get airfare or severance, and reporting them for the illegal three months will hurt you more than it hurts them. Move on and find a better job.

[Yucca Girl]

[ltnflvr]

So you don't think the labor board could help me about unjust termination since I was fired for not apologizing about a statement? Or is this insubordination and I am just screwed and should go buy a plane ticket?

I do not intend on remaining in Korea. I do not want to start another year contract. So since I plan on going elsewhere, I do not understand how being deported would hinder these plans. ?

[Seoulio]

[Yucca Girl]

[ltnflvr]

So basically I cannot leave the country until I pay the fines?