Korean Job Discussion Forums

blair · Joined: 17 Mar 2004

My boss maintains that he does not have to give me my return airfare unless I leave Korea. I have told him that I have to leave Korea to obtain a new visa. Now my understanding is that I am entitled to the ticket or cash equivalent. I would appreciate some responses so I could show him that other schools do give their teachers the return ticket even if the teacher resigns for another year. I was stupid and resigned without getting my airfare the first time and now it is the end of the second year and he wants to do it again.

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

What does your contract say? It's a contract issue, not a law issue.

blair · Joined: 17 Mar 2004

Your question implies that whatever is in the contract will be honoured. I should be so lucky.

My first contract stated
"Upon completion of this contract , the teacher will be provided with a return ticket."
When my first contract ended my boss pleaded with me to postpone the airfare since I was staying for a second year.
The school is small and for various reasons I agreed. I changed the wording of the second contract to read that regardless of whether I complete the contract or not I would be eligible for the airfare since I was owed it from the first contract. He then changed that to read
"Return economy airfare to the teacher's nearest international airport is provided to the teacher when the teacher leaves Korea."
This is a bit strange since it says "return" airfare and there is no way that one can expect to validate whether I have left or not. Also "leaves Korea"
is very ambiguous. I have to leave Korea to obtain a new visa anyway.

The point of my post is not to discuss the wording of my contract but whether or not other teachers receive their airfare at the end of their 12 months. Regardless of whether they are signing on for another year with the same school, leaving for good, or finding another job in Korea.

oneiros · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Location: Villa Straylight

At the last school I worked for, I got the cash equivilant of a return ticket to Canada when I signed on for second year. I was actually suprised, since I was expecting only a one way ticket, given that I was already in Korea, and there wasn't any reason contractually for them to give it to me. I didn't complain, though.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Bit of a tricky one this one isn't it. I know what the contract says but seriously if you are not leaving Korea what do you need the new airfare for?????

I know a holiday would be nice but I'm not making a judgement call on yourself blair but I think you are being a little bit selfish in this matter.

If you have been treated well all year and had little hassle I would drop the matter and just get on with it. If he has been a *beep* why did you tell him you were coming back????

One thing I've learned about living here is tell nobody nothing(this seems a problem i noticed for a lot of ESL teachers Very Happy

) and keep them guessing the same way Koreans do it to you.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

It doesn't matter whether he's leaving or not, that return airfare is part of his compensation, which the OP is entitled to whether he is going home or not. Since your contract says "return airfare", this could be construed to mean a return ticket, and not the cash equivalent. So, I'd try to cut him a deal. He can either buy you a ticket at full price that you'll never use, or give you a significant percentage as cash equivalent (or a ticket to the Asian vacation destination of your choice) to save him some money and give you something you'll actually use, creating a win-win situation.

Since hogwon directors rarely seem to go for win-win situations, you may want to remind him that you'll be staying in Korea and imply that are willing to fight for it if he's not planning on giving you anything. Hopefully he'll see the light.

In the future, make sure the words "or cash equivalent" are in your contract.

blair · Joined: 17 Mar 2004

Well "just because", I left my country and accepted this position in the first instance for a number of reasons. One of which was the remuneration package which included a return ticket at the end of a twelve month contract. This is the point.
I am interested to know how many teachers do get the return fare. Everyone that I have spoken to does and most use it for a holiday.

What do I need the money for? What does anyone need money for? Why accept a severance payment? Do you really need it? I fail to understand your logic.
You are absolutely correct when you say tell them nothing. On this point I agree.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

When I worked in Europe, money for a return ticket back to your home country at the end of every year-long contract was considered a standard component of the compensation package, regardless of whether or not it was used for actual travel. I worked at a school for several years and was paid airfare at the end of each year, even though I was hired in-country and didn't even go home every year. It was part of the compensation; it was entirely the teacher's discretion how to use the money. So I was surprised to hear that in Korea, some bosses try not to pay their promised airfare if you're not leaving the country. I've always considered it a part of the package.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

In my opinion it seems that there was a pretty clear understanding between the OP and his director that the airfare would be paid, and it's stated in the contract. THe fact that it is ambiguously stated is moot. You made an agreement about the airfare payment and he should live up to it.

There is a very clear line between cultivating good relationships in Korea and letting someone take advantage of you. I am definitely against letting something like this sliding. 1000 dollars or more is alot of money.

I think with some tact you can make it clear that you want the money and totally expect to get it without ruining a relationship. Make your stance clear without giving any ultimatums or making and direct threats. More often than not he'll pay up to avoid losing face. Just make it clear that you're willing to take it to the next level.....it's a fine line I know....tact is key.

gi66y · Joined: 15 Aug 2003

Even though my contract said that I wouldn't get a ticket home at the end of my contract if I was staying, I explained to my WJN that I wasn't willing to stay if I'd be treated worse than a person who was leaving. He agreed that it was logical.

Tell him (with all due respect) that you're looking for a change and then wait for him to convince you to stay. Which, of course, he will when he thinks about the cost of sending you home AS WELL as paying for a new teacher's ticket in. That'd could get up to 2 million, and that doesn't even factor in recruter fees.

tokki · Joined: 26 Jul 2003

In my 2 previous experiences I got my money even though I was not leaving Korea. 700 thousand first time and I got 850 thousand the 2nd time. Not 100% of the ticket back to TO, but good enough. I was happy. Im gonna insist on my money again at the end of this contract.