Korean Job Discussion Forums

kingssurfer · Joined: 14 Dec 2009

I recently signed a contract to work at a hagwon, which will start in 2 weeks, and they have submitted my papers to immigration.

I left my last asp in August, because I was unable to get my documents on time.
I recently found out that my asp wants me back, and they have 2 openings at the beginning of December. As well as that, the person who replaced me at my old asp quit, and will leave in February. Everyone at my last asp wants me back, the co, the principal, the student's, etc.

My question are how is it possible to break a contract before it starts, without facing major ramifications? I know it seems impossible, and I could pretty much lose everything. How is it possible to get a lor after only 3 months of working? I am really skeptical about this hagwon, and I would much rather go back to the asp. I know I don't really have much of a chance, but is it possible to do this somehow?

kingssurfer · Joined: 14 Dec 2009

Ttompatz, could use your help here.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

Pay the dmgs my friend.

Technically you can walk away, but you need to set the record straight with the people you signed a contract with.

ontheway

kingssurfer · Joined: 14 Dec 2009

Well, I am currently in country, and given the situation, I don't think they would have much trouble finding a replacement. As of right now, I do have a visa number, but no visa, and haven't started. I don't what the ramifications are. I might as well just take it, despite my doubts. You say I wouldn't be able to work until the contract is up, but since my contract hasn't started, and I have been told it is possible to get out of it, I don't know what to make of it.

koreatimes · Joined: 07 Jun 2011

I was in a similar situation, I was ending a contract with school 1 and things weren't working out with school 2 before the contract period started. A new visa was issued for school 2, but I went with school 3 and immigration just treated it as if I was going from 1 to 3 and put a change of location sticker in the passport and updated the ARC. The only extra thing I remember needing to do was to get another release letter from the first school.

ontheway · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 11:15 am Post subject:

ontheway · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 11:21 am Post subject:

kingssurfer · Joined: 14 Dec 2009

I am going to find out the difference between a vin and an actual working visa. Would I need an lor to get out of vin?

koreatimes · Joined: 07 Jun 2011

kingssurfer · Joined: 14 Dec 2009

An lor from the new school.
Does having a VIN mean they own me now, or do they not own me until I get an actual working visa?

There are some things about this new school that I have a bad feeling about
( 2 people not lasting their contracts, and only one ft liking it)

Yes, I would probably have to pay the recruiters, and realtor�s fee, but I just don't have a good feeling about this place. Something seems fishy.

Most places that I interviewed with needed some time to think before they got back to me, but this place was very quick to hire me. It makes me think they are hiding something.

koreatimes · Joined: 07 Jun 2011

You need to get your passport back and go with the school you want to work at to immigration.

If immigration sees there is an employer wanting you, then they are more likely to ok it. If you wait too long, then there might not be much they will do.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

kingssurfer · Joined: 14 Dec 2009

ontheway · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 8:20 am Post subject:

Your situation is fairly unique, but, again, you have no visa to transfer. You must currently be here on a tourist visa. You will have to ask Immigration for the final answer.

It could be that you can somehow transfer this VIN back to your old after school program with a letter of release from your new school - but why would they give that to you?

It could be that if you do not take your new job, you not only have to wait for your VIN to expire, but you have to get new documents and start over again.

The fact that two teachers didn't last at the new school means little. In fact it could be a good sign. Half of the "teachers" who come to Korea, even those with some experience, education degrees, TEFLs and other paper qualifications are worthless and deserve to be fired. Eventually, some are fired, some resign, but few accept the fact that they just don't have the ability to be a teacher and never will. The only way everyone will "last" at a school is if the school doesn't care about teaching or quality.

It is unfortunate that your dream job appeared two days after you took this job, but at least it's not a lifetime commitment. Since it's not a marriage, you can quit fairly easily and transfer in a few months if it's really bad.

"It's sad to belong to someone else when the right one comes along."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syU1gYgvZAs