Korean Job Discussion Forums

[luckylady]

yeah, Korean lawyers are extremely expensive - unless he has a relative or in-law that's one - I don't see him shelling out the million won I've heard it costs just to write a letter so don't be overly concerned about that.

hang in there and keep us posted. also be prepared for rage and fury; it's not unusual when the foreign teacher stands firm on the last month's funds owed. just whatever you do, keep calm and cool.

[CentralCali]

Also, you do not have to be in Korea to pursue a complaint against the ex-boss at the Labor Board. You do, however, have to appoint in writing someone who is in Korea to appear on your behalf at all Labor Board meetings pertaining to your complaint. You can even do that after you've left Korea. To do so you have to go in person to a Korean consulate and they will assist you in completing the appropriate forms.

Pension is similar, but you do not have to appear at any meetings. You can start the complaint before or after you leave Korea.

[hogwonguy1979]

if you intend to stay in korea you may be screwed in regards to health insurance, since your next employer will register you and it will throw up a flag (your arc # will not change with a new job, mine hasnt changed over 10 years and 3 arc's), why havent you paid for the past 12 months? and you will have to pay for the past year all upfront.

think somebody posted about getting nailed on that

[zasoukup]

I've read it could go either way with the health insurance. I was considering switching to a D10 visa, which would wipe out my current E2, then switch back to a whole new E2 and ARC card when I find a new position. If I get dinged, I get dinged, nothing I can do about that.

Anyway, BIG UPDATE! Went to work yesterday and the school doors were locked, the lights were off, and no one was home. I got one short phone call from my co-teacher and she said she had recieved a text telling her not to come into work. I haven't heard from her since. I also got a phone call from one of my older students asking me what had happened to the school. He told me his parents had also got a text saying they would be recieving a tuition refund. Whether it was for this week, the rest of the month, indefinitely, I don't know. No one has contacted me at all. Like I said, I haven't seen my boss since last Wednesday.

I'll go back to the school and wait around for an hour or so, but I think he's finally played the move he has wanted to all along. What now?

[luckylady]

wow no wonder he was trying to get out of paying you - ! he decided to shut down early rather than pay out your funds due.

take photos of the school being closed; get a witness to testify at the time and day

have some contact info from a parent or 2 or 10

show up every day - you'll probably see someone there sooner or later who will know what happened.

definitely go to Labor and Immigration - he could be in big trouble with Kimmi since you are still sponsored - but make sure he didn't already cancel your visa!

back to the insurance - they will charge you only from the time you entered the country so if you leave and come back, it's from the most recent arrival. if you don't leave but transfer your visa, then yes, you could very well be liable for previous unpaid months.

[zasoukup]

I've been back to the school every day since last Monday, the 14th. Nothing. The school is locked down. The president, vice-president, and secretary have all disconnected their phone numbers. Even the school phone has been disconnected.

Also, it turns out my boss has been to the LB three times in the last six months over end of contract payment issues. Two of them he lost, the third was a women he was able to bully out of pursuing her claim. All three of them were Korean nationals; two math teachers and my previous head teacher. For the two he lost he had to pay out over 16 million won.

I've been to both Kimmi and the LB. They both said they couldn't release me from my contract. Kimmi called the tax office and my boss hasn't file a 'Closing Document' so I guess the school isn't technically closed. Therefore, with neither an LOR or this Closing Document, they told me I'm locked into my contract until June 6th.

Few points of clarification. If they force me to serve out my contract I won't need an LOR to transfer my visa, correct? And if anyone knows about the D10. They mentioned I could apply only after my contract expires. I thought that when applying for the D10 or even an E2 transfer either could be done up to 7 days before the contract termination date. I thought I read this in several other posts.

[young_clinton]

Oh God another 11th month firing coming up. Take the hagwon to the labor board first and from there take them to court. This is a common complaint on the Korean board here, you might want to look at the other posts looking for advice on this, and there are lots of advice to be found here on this site.

Does everybody still want to get work at a Hogwan instead of a public school?

[luckylady]

[some waygug-in]

Bump.

Just wondering how things are turning out.

Best of luck to you.