Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jonski]

I've tried countless times to search but for some reason every time it does not work....

Contract due to expire very soon but don't have necessary documents yet to change jobs. I sent my original degree here a year ago and I am no longer in possession of it. Is it illegal for my boss to hold onto my degree? I am worried he will kick a fuss up if I ask him for it as he will know I want to quit.

Without wanting to go all the back home to the UK I would simply like to do a short visa run in China or Japan in a few months when I have everything sorted. Is it worth me asking him for it? Or should I start from scratch back home. Also what about a criminal record check... I have not left Korea since coming here.. Surely they don't need another one? What is the easiest way to tackle this problem?

[YTMND]

Tell him you need it back to get a copy notarized. If you were to continue working there, it is possible you would need to do this anyway. Just tell him that "possibility" (which is probably in hell, but he doesn't need to know that).

[jonski]

He knows the Korean visa process very well. He has spent the last 10 years looking after foreigners here in Korea. He will not be fooled if I ask for it. He will know exactly why.

I fully plan to give notice and quit properly when I have another concrete job lined up. I just want to check 2 things:

Criminal record check: Do I still need this even though I haven't left Korea since coming. It seems crazy to have to call home and go through all the effort to get another check even though I haven't breathed English oxygen since leaving 1 year ago. What about when I leave country to cancel my visa? Am I then required to get another check?

Notarized copy of degree: What if he refuses to give it back? It was RIDICULOUSLY expensive and time consuming to get my degree apostilled due to the burden of red tape in England. Surely its better for me to stay here in Korea to improve my chances of acquiring a job

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[Skippy]

Yea if your moving on to a NEW job here in Korea and you think your boss will be nasty about you moving, then you will need new papers. Also, it all depends on how you go about moving on to the next job. Will you do a transfer. Go home, come back? Do the D-10? If you leave Korea, then you will likely need all new papers, when you come back. Now I do think you might be a touch lucky is that no new CRC will be needed if you are back in Korea before 90 days. But this is Korean immi they can easily change their mind.

Plus get a backbone. Sorry, but the degree is yours, ask for it back, like an adult. If they ask why, just say none of their business. you just want it back. Do not be rude, act like a grown up, be polite, but stern.

Now it has been almost a year and your boss still has your degree. WTF! Two things, One why did you not get it back right away, when you got here. Second I thought immigration stopped accepting the original degree over a year and a half ago. So why is it in your bosses hands? Immigration wants certified copies. Third, once again he has been holding on to it for about year! Please tell me for the love of Sejong you have your passport or is your boss holding on to that one too?

Also, be prepared for have to get a new one because the degree is lost. If after that whole time the boss is holding on to. I can see only two reasons now a days for a school to hold on to a degree. One, they want to display it for parents to see (never mind a nice color copy would do). Two, they lost it or damaged it?

At some point you will have to face the boss about your future. Or are expecting some day near the end to just fade away and hope that one the last day a plane ticket and last pay will be ready. Do not hemm and haw. Talk to the boss. Heck you might even be surprised if they decide to be helpful in you moving along.

[jonski]

1. I was told a year ago by the recruiter to send my original copy. I suspect they have forwarded it on to my boss/immigration. No idea.

2. I completely forgot about it after sending.

3. I will talk to him. But he will know INSTANTLY I want to abandon ship. I cannot think of any other excuse.

[CentralCali]

How about this? "It's my diploma. It's my property. Give me the bloody thing."

[jonski]

I really don't think being rude to my boss will help.

[CentralCali]

Then shell out money for a replacement diploma from your university.