Korean Job Discussion Forums

[happiness]

Hi, ideas? Ive worked 6 days so far. I realize I could be impatient, but I wanted some perspective.

I transfered my visa from my old workplace (hagwon) i had been at for a long time.
I got the LOR, and got a job in an elementary after school program. Its run by a guy who runs them for 3 different schools, an outside program.

We get 2 rooms in a school annex, and theyve run it for about 2-3 years. The first teacher was there for 2 years, and the 2nd one suddently divorced her husband and disappeared, and Im the 3rd. The principal is not happy about what happened of course, but Ive worked 6 days and already had a parents class, which I got great evaluations. The boss and co workers like me.

Anyway, I signed some documents with the school in the Principals office, in front of him, 6 times actually, and met the principal Wednesday, Actually, he didnt look at me, just barked at all these younger teachers swarming around him, and said he was worried because of the last teacher just disappearing. Didnt even look at me. Oh well...

My new boss, who I really like, they got a new furnished apartment for me and its really nice, and Im a responsible guy so Ive worked hard for him Hes very decent and straight forward, so I have no problem with him. Hes an ex-recuiter I think. Anyway he laid out alot of investment for my house and got me a new good one, so that to me is a good amount of good will. EVen the contract was well written and spelled everything out. I was impressed. so...

I gave my boss my LOR and my documents and all. I spoke to him about the visa today, and he said he was going to wait til friday, they had to friday to allow the visa. He said another route is for me to get a visa at one of the hagwons he managed and I just worked at the school like I have been. Isnt that illegal? Can the school refuse my visa now? Im already working there, and the parents met me.

Any ideas?

[YTMND]

It is possible they are trying to work out details. First, they need you, but it's strange how they had a parent class so soon when things supposedly happened "unexpectedly" regarding the teacher who left.

Coincidence?

Anyway, it looks like you will need to get that visa. Perhaps, they are trying to get more time from you. Were the contracts dated? It's possible they want you to work more than a year and by submitting the paperwork in later they can keep you longer than a year. It also means you can't leave the school when you finish 1 year. Right now you have 1 year and 6 days, by Friday, forget it. You will already be into 2 weeks before immigration sees anything. This is perhaps their insurance you won't leave if you want airfare and severance.

If you are ok with it, then just make sure they get the visa stuff settled next week. I did something similar and actually liked having more than a year. It gives you some time off. Perhaps you can negotiate this after the visa is straightened out. Take some time off when it's not so busy to make it fit one year.

In 24 days or so, you need to get paid, regardless. Stress this everyday next week.

[happiness]

thanks for your answer...maybe so. its in the contract when the first pay day is, everything is laid out really well and i was really impressed by that. I have no problem with them being cautious as long as theyre fair and do what they said, and so far they have done just that. Well, this job already feels routine: they have a set pattern and theyll stick to it, and thats fine by me, and the conditions are great, i dont mind staying more than a year, so even if they want to check to see if ill run (its a shame that they expect this), as long as im paid, i dont mind an extra week or two. ill probably stay another year. im really happy with it so far.

still, i want to "get er dun...."

[happiness]

got the visa papers today going tomorrow. whew. thanks

[Skippy]

Good to hear. What the school did was technically illegal. It is done. Schools do it all the time. The main thing to do is get it done quickly. The main concern s timing. If things go past a couple of weeks, then would be time to start panicking.