Korean Job Discussion Forums

Druzyek · Joined: 02 Feb 2010

I am having problems with my contract and it looks like I might need a lawyer. My boss and I both talked to Mr. Jung who is stickied in this thread but she seems to think he is not interested. He also didn't talk to me very long at all before we hung up. Here is the problem:

I signed my contract with my hogwon which includes round-trip airfare. The owner only paid for a one-way ticket. I worked for the owner for only one week before the new owner took things over. I have worked for her since that time. Now my contract is almost over and I need to get a return ticket. The old owner thinks it is the new owner's responsibility to buy the ticket since she owns the business now. The new owner thinks it is the old owner's responsibility since he did not buy the right ticket when I signed my contract.

My boss (the new owner) wants to go with me to a lawyer to get things straightened out. Can anyone recommend one?

drcrazy · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:14 am Post subject:

If you only worked for one week for the first owner and all of the rest of the year with the new one, and the new one is not willing to pay for the return when 99.9% of your teaching was for the new one, then the new one is (add a variety of negative words to describe this "person".)

Slowmotion · Joined: 15 Aug 2009

you worked for one week, you should be thankful they paid for even the ticket there.

Xylox · Joined: 09 Jul 2010

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

Druzyek · Joined: 02 Feb 2010

Thanks for the replies.

@drcrazy, they have their own contract regarding the sale of the school and the ticket. I can't really do anything about that, which is why I'm asking for someone to recommend a lawyer.

@jrwhite82, thanks for the heads-up

Regardless of the details, does anyone know a lawyer at all who could deal with hogwon stuff?

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

I'm a Dave's Cafe unofficial lawyer. Razz

I'm not interested in a case over an airfare. However, if you can make 5 million won retainer fee deposit into my personal account, I'll consider it. Razz

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

drcrazy · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 6:20 pm Post subject:

Druzyek · Joined: 02 Feb 2010

@drcrazy, I doubt being a (add a list of positive words) would persuade the labor board more than a contract would.

Surely someone has had problems with airfare before. Anybody?

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Go to the US Embassy website. Under citizen services legal matters they have a listing of attorneys. Who is paying the lawyer?

the_curious · Joined: 04 Oct 2010

you signed a contract with the company, not ur ex boss personally... so the company (whoever currently owns it) pays.

Druzyek · Joined: 02 Feb 2010

@I-am-me, thanks for the recommendation.

@the_curious, maybe but I can't do anything about that without a lawyer or someone in the government.

cert43 · Joined: 17 Jun 2010

What amount are you trying to settle for? In a franchise,new ownership
has nothing to do the legality of the contract.

You renedered "services", ( teaching) for a time
period of 1 week, right?

Did they pay you the correct wage? It should be prorated through
the month by 25% ( ie, $500 for 2,000)

Airfare isn't obligatory under Korean law. However, you

could get them for unpaid ( or legal deduction) of wages.

What about unpaid medical and severance?

the_curious · Joined: 04 Oct 2010