Korean Job Discussion Forums

[EFLESL]

Hello, I was a Native teacher at a Hogwon in a smaller city from December until March, when I, and every other foreign teacher walked out. This particular school is an incredibly underhanded, dishonest, and disastrously run enterprise. My contract was broken by the Director in countless ways and the work environment was unbearable. For example, having me work at 3 different schools (that she owns), while my contract states I will be working with only one school, withholding pay, trying to make me work 45 hours rather than the 36 stated in my contract, threatening to take away vacation days if I did not comply, literally cursing me in Korean in front of other teachers, having me work from the morning right after I arrived in Korea(while she did not send me to get my work visa in Japan until almost three weeks later) hence she had me working illegally unbeknown to me.
To give you an impression.. not only did 4 four foreign teachers leave, but 4 or 5 Korean teachers(in the THREE months I was there.) Doubtful that a 9 person-3 month turnover is standard. I contacted a recruiter for help finding a position after I left, and she informed me that EVERY hogwon director in that city knows about my employers infamous activities. As did every foreigner I ran into randomly on the street in the city. The recruiter(from a different city entirely) said my ex-boss even tried to scam HER, by telling a new prospective employee not to tell the recruiter she has been hired, to avoid paying her the recruiting fee. (obviously, I have documentation and contact numbers for everything I am stating in this post).
Anywho, I went to immigration to try to obtain a D10 status visa(looking for work visa), but they informed me that my ex-boss was suing me and they couldn't help me. I'm not sure at all that that entails, means in Korea, or what my next move is. But no one at this particular city's office speaks even decent English and I have no one with perfect Korean/English to translate for me. I tried to visit other city's offices to get help, but they said I must be helped only in the city where I have the issue. I was informed by immigration that my options were to "talk to my boss" and basically ask her to drop the suit out of the kindness of her heart, or "go home" to the states.
...So, in Korea, when you get sued, you ask politely that they drop the suit, or you leave the country?? O_o lol what?!
So, obviously my previous is trying to bully me into leaving the country. However, I like this country, and I don't want to let this damaging experience ruin my impression of it. I want to stay and work and be happy. Too much to ask?

Could anybody give me any useful advice or direct help?

Thanks so much~Korea Fighting!!

[plchron]

You aren't eligible for a D10, but you should be eligible for a G1. I think you can transfer G1s back to E2s once you find another job. Please PM me your school info. I have a plan.

If I ever pull it off I will let you know. You would love it after the way you have been treated.

[YTMND]

[EFLESL]

Yes, I went to immigration in a different city right away. --They said no problem, we understand the situation. Your options are E2 with a new employer or D10 if you cant find one within 30days. Come back when you would like to change your visa.-- I was looking for another job so that I could change from E2 to another E2, rather than E2 to D10, then back to E2 when I found a position.
SO i found a new position. But, the slimy recruiter postponed and postponed, telling me we were "about" to sign the contract.. until the very week my visa needed to be changed.. at which point I said to him, listen I do NOT want to be in Korea illegally, if you cant changed it to E2 THIS week, I will change it to D10 myself. He then said that the school had called him late last night and said they went with another teacher... -_- so, on the last day before my 30days was up, I went back to immigration, expecting little problems, at they said on 3 different occasions that they would be able to help me... only to be told they couldn't this time, i had to go back to the previous city. The next day I went to the previous city.. and found out WHY they wouldn't help me. She was suing me. (Obviously, no one had told me.) SO, as to not be here illegally, I headed straight to Japan and came back on a tourist visa. Thank you for your comments. I assure you I was not trying to do anything underhanded, or play ignorant. I received all my information just as I have stated.
I just want to work for someone who wont treat me like dirt just because they think they can.
This is where I'm at.

[Skippy]

You messed up. Generally the choices are 1) quite legally with giving notice
2) or midnight run.

Sorry the D-10 is not a option (I think) because it is not near the end of the contract and you did not have permission to leave ala letter of release.

Ya your situation sucks. You need to find some people to help you. Maybe a recruiter can help a little. Still I think the advice of go home or go beg for forgiveness might be the only options. Unless you have the money to fight a legal battle with the school/ex boss.

[EFLESL]

I didn't want to pile on the long list of incidents of Koreans using me for their gain, so I didn't post that bit initially.
lol no body like a complainer ><

[ghostrider]

Why are you being sued? I don't think there are any legal grounds for suing someone for merely quitting their job, and it's very unusual for hogwan owners to sue to recover certain costs such as airfare and recruiting fees. I read about an English teacher a few years ago who was sued by her hogwan owner for slander/libel. There was a block on her passport so she couldn't leave Korea until the issue was resolved.

[EFLESL]

I can't really get clear on the issue.. I have no one to take to the office who can translate what theyre saying too clearly, and no other office will help. Theres no block; left recently to get my tourist visa.
thank you for your comments.

[Skippy]

Ya leave and come back. You may likely have to start from scratch with the paper work too.

Have you also tried calling immigration phone number. Maybe you can get some better help.

Also are you trying to stay in the same city? Or have you considered moving to another place.

[EFLESL]

I would in no way like to work in that same city; So that's not an issue.
Thanks for the heads up. Yes, I called, but they don't have any specific info regarding my issues.. they best they can offer to help is to translate, but when I go into these offices and try to hand them the phone to speak with an English/Korean speaker they get highly agitated, and wave at me the "hang up, i got it" wave. -_- They aren't trying to hear anything. So, I def. need a warm body in the flesh, or its hopeless it would seem.

[CentralCali]

I wonder how quickly the suit would disappear if you were to tell the former boss that you'd rat him out to Immigration and other pertinent government agencies for his illegal acts.

[ghostrider]

You could visit the labor office in the city where you worked with a Korean friend to report your boss' illegal activities and contractual violations. You can also do it online-

http://www.epeople.go.kr/jsp/user/on/eng/FrnPcCvreqForm.jsp

You might want to contact other former teachers to encourage them to do likewise.

[Wildbore]

The director withheld pay, made you work at multiple locations, made you work more than your contract said (did they give you overtime)?

You have multiple claims for a counter-suit. Did they pay into your pension of medical insurance. You can possibly make a complaint there as well.

Go to the labor board, go to the court house, go to the government offices and start ripping into this a-hole. They will "suddenly" decide to settle this and leave you alone.

Koreans fold up like a lawn chair once you go on the offensive.

[EFLESL]

Thank you for this information, I will look into it.

[EFLESL]

overtime pay?? HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAA *cough* excuse me.
Jokes aside, thank you for this information. No, they never paid pension. I called the head office. And they paid medical for 1 month out of 3, again, I called the office to check. However, they DID remove my half from my pay... scandalous. Ty ty ty for this advice, I will really see what I can do.