Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cankassel]

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions/experience to help me with my dilemma. I am almost at the 9-month point of my first-year contract. Recently I have received a job-offer working for a municipal government in Canada (home) in my chosen career path. I did not apply for the job, only received the offer due to my friend recommending me to his boss. The job is exactly what I would be looking for when I planned on returning back in July (perfect location, learning atmosphere, good pay, etc.).

My school (very small elementary hagwon) has recently been bought by new owners, so technically I do not have a working visa and would not be breaking my contract. Soon after they took over, the new owners fired all the old staff except for the 2 native speakers (myself and my room-mate). I don't know why this happened. However I feel like I still have a responsibility to stay to the end. Am worried I would be screwing them if I left.

However, the crowd back home wants me to start mid-May so if I accept I will have to cut my stay here short my 3 months. Feel terrible breaking my contract, but don't want to give up this opportunity (this doesn't come along often for new-graduates with limited experience).

I think I've already made my decision, but would like to hear any other opinions/considerations from people who have anything to add.

[Harpeau]

Give notice, tell them you'll do all you can to try and find a replacement and go home. I'm very happy for your good fortune. "Technically", you are not responsible to remain, though you may naturally have some misgivings about leaving. Tell them that on this date I am gone. You've given them fair warning, that's the most anyone can ask of you. I applaude your kindness and consideration to your school.

All the best!

[dutchman]

Pack your bags and never look bag. Your hagwon owner would never show such loyalty to you or your contract. Inform him/her now that you are leaving in May. You might not get your flight paid for or even your severance pay but who really cares. Don't miss the opportunity.

[Real Reality]

Harpeau and dutchman seem correct.
I hope your boss is understanding and appropriately accepts your resignation.

Good luck with your new job.

[crazylemongirl]

I got an apply for this job now thing last summer. I didn't go for it as there was a high chance I could have got the job and my travelling days would have been over. However in retrospect I missed out on some good oppoutunties because of it and my hellish last two months in my hogwon would not have happened.

In the end you have to decide what's right for you. I plan on seeing more of the world before going back to new zealand and I didn't want to be looking at planes wishing I was on one.

[Mosley]

Yes, don't have any qualms about taking the job. Just curious though: aren't mun.gov. jobs supposed to be subject to an open or closed formal competition rather than just somebody "offering" you the job like it was at Joe's Pool Hall? In reality, of course, the process is often a farce & a waste of time-the union insider or the crony gets the job anyway. That's how it is in my hometown in Soviet Canuckistan. I'm not being accusative-just curious is all....

[Dr. Buck]

Congratulations of the great career opportunity. Take it, and walk away from the hogwon feeling no obligation or loyalty. In their eyes, you are very expendable, a simple commodity to be bought and traded in the ESL market.

As you prepare for your return home, I'd play your cards close to your chest. Don't tell anyone of your plans. I've seen it too many times where a teacher simply wants to leave for a smart career move, announces it to the employer and the hogwon owner becomes spiteful and vengeful, causing you problems--that won't haunt you in the future, but in the present, are a pain in the ass.

Breaking contracts is good for the Korean ESL business. If enought get broken, then perhaps the E-2 visa indentured servant enslavement system will crumble.

Break contracts and feel no obligations--unless you're hanging in there for that severance pay--that might or might not arrive.

[Mr. Pink]

If your hakwon changed owners, then LEGALLY you working illegally. Your sponser was the older owner of your school. Once they SOLD the hakwon, your contract ceased to be legal.

If immigration were to catch you now, you would be paying fines.

If you make a new contract with the new owner to be legal, you are screwed over too.

I'd suggest you get over the guilt trip of leaving early. You legally CANT finish a contract that LEGALLY doesn't exist anymore!

So get ur ass on that plane and take the job back home!!!

[bibimbap]

dutchman said it all.

there is far too much guilt on these boards. how many stories have we read about owners mercilessly screwing over employees? now contrast that with how many hagwons have been screwed over.

i just saw two co-workers get fired because the owner didn't like the way they looked. despite the fact the owner had seen photos before they got here. oh - and she deducted the airfare from their outgoing pay.

[yangban]

Go for it. After all, they may not have fired you because they couldn't fire you. That may have been the only thing that saved you, for now. Good luck.

[phaedrus]

If you don't go for it you are an idiot. Really!

Think about it this way- Your hagwon boss gets an offer that would increase his wealth and opportunity. The only catch is that he has to fire you. What does he do?

If he is decent he gives you legally required notice. You should do the same. March 31st to mid-May equals about 45 days and EUREKA legal notice is thirty days. You have time for a holiday in there.

[cankassel]

Thanks guys, that actually helps a lot. 'Mosley' I don't know how I got awarded the position without it being advertised. The manager of the municipal department has met me before at a dinner my university program had for new-graduates (this was 1 1/2 years ago and we have never had a conversation) and as I said I never applied for the job.

One other thing, for some reason (naivety on the part of the old owners?) I have always had my return ticket back to Canada in hand (I came here on a return flight). I don't know whether the new crowd knows I have it, and I'm not sure I want to tell them....

[Mr. Pink]

[sadsac]

Cankassel, you've got your return flight, book it, pack up and go and follow your dreams. All the best for the future.

[Ryst Helmut]