Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

Your director is full of crap, or just assuming.

I have spoken DIRECTLY with an immigration official on precisely this matter. It doesn't matter where you work -- public, Chaebol, or hagwon, you still MUST,

ABSOLUTELY MUST

get it approved by immigration. Because it is public, it will have a better chance of being approved, but it's still up to the discretion of the immigration officials. In EVERY circumstance where you want to work in a location different than your ARC card stipulates, you MUST get it approved first.

Refuse to do his dirty work without talking to immigration, and you set yourself up to be screwed, fined, and possibly deported. Go to immigration NOW.

What I am telling you came directly from an immigration official's mouth. In fact two, because I had a heated debate with the lady, and I insisted that her boss come over and verify, which he did.

You have been warned.

Don't believe that Korean bosses know squat about Korean law. You have to research it yourself if you are not sure. Bosses will flat-out lie to you for no other reason than to serve their will while seeming like the expert. In every working situation I've had in Korea, only ONE was what I would call more than vaguely familiar with such law matters. And that one still wanted me to work illegally for him even though we both knew it was wrong.

[Phoenix]

Listen to Derrek. It happened to me, I got 'busted' by immigration because my director had me working at two schools and I very nearly got deported. Stop working there now and don't go again until permission has been obtained.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=5352&highlight=

[Wishmaster]

What they are doing to you is illegal. You are assigned only to be working at the specific location on your E2/arc. They are shanking you...they are making a lot of money off your teaching and only throwing you the scaps. Refuse to do it. If they threaten(which they love to do)..don't worry...it is all part of the repertoire of Korea...just tell them that you quit. They'll come around once they see that their mealticket might bolt. Good luck.

[rhian]

So, the latest is that I have told my director all of this info and he still says it's fine, we can go to immigration whenever, show them the new contract that's going to be drawn up with the elementary school, and change the visa.
He also says he doesn't want me to work at this other place either as they only give him 30,000 won an hour per class, whereas at the hagwon we get paid per student.
This last bit has made me all the more dubious, 30 000 an hour for ten students, I don't think so.... Is he lying or what? I questioned him, saying I was under the impression that he'd get a lot of money for this, he denied it and laughed (the laughing is a common fall back here isn't it?).
What to do? I mean these hours take me up to what is still a little under the thirty agreed hours, is it worth causing bad feeling at the school by kicking up a big fuss?

[peppermint]

As long as it's legal, go with it. I loved teaching outside classes- so much more respect, and out from under the director's baleful eye.

[rhian]

i like your style peppermint, a lot of people here seem so uptight and cynical, and although this is perfectly understandable and something I'm sure we are all guilty of sometimes, your "go with it" attitude makes a refreshing change!

[peppermint]

I used to be farmed out for corporate classes- that meant students bringing me cups of green tea before class and driving me back to school afterwards.

I also got to teach at a public elementary school for a bit-.the "teacher- I love you!" chorus can do a lot to soothe raw nerves.

One thing I will suggest though- if the outside location is far away, ask for paid transportation, and maybe a slightly higher wage.

[Derrek]