Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chimie]

I recently arrived back in Korea. I had talked with a recruiter who had recommended a job. The job seemed nice enough, the contract looked good. My one condition was the hours of the job, that it be early morning hours, and not under ANY circumstances be split shift.

The recruiter assured me it wouldn't be, in the email they listed the hours as a standard 8 consecutive hours job. When I had the interview with the school I explicitly asked if there was split shifts. I was told that no there were not split shifts, even though they taught adults, they also taught children, and as such, you could work either mornings or afternoons, but not both.

When I arrived in Korea I was treated with a schedule that starts at 6am and ends at 9:05pm, with several 1 hour breaks in between. The school told me this is standard scheduling, even though on the Skype interview they, and the recruiter explicitly said otherwise.

These hours are not acceptable and I am wondering what is my recourse. I've talked over the situation with the managers a little bit, and I'm going to go back and talk to them again tomorrow, but I was wondering if they deny my request for either better hours or a LOR, is there anything I can do?

[littlelisa]

I doubt it unless the hours are in the contract. This is why it's always important to have things like schedule hours in the contract and not just rely on what's said.

[young_clinton]

Go to the Labor office and find out what constitutes a split shift. The shift you have sounds like it's just a real long shift. In Thailand we had several 1 hour breaks between classes, but we still got out at 4:30 and didn't have to go until 8:00. If what you're describing is true then those breaks do not constitute a break in the shift and the Hogwan is breaking the law. I think you can fight this. However stay with the Hogwan until you have everything prepared. If you win a court case or maybe if you win a case with the labor department, immigration will allow you a new visa without a letter of release if the Hogwan doesn't stop breaking the law.

[NilesQ]

Assume everything the school and recruiters say is a lie. If what you are wondering about is not explicitly stated in the contract, it will work out to the schools benefit, not yours.

Schools that have Saturday classes tell every newbie "may have saturday classes sometimes". That means every saturday! If the contract states class hours are between certain hours, you will be plugged into classes during that timeframe at their choosing, seemingly with a schedule designed to inconvienience every teacher at the school.

I dont know why they do it that way, but they always do.

[nero]

What did the contract you signed say?
That's all I have to ask.
What did the contract say. Not 'what did the recruiter/school/boss promise you...what did the contract (you signed) say?

[Voyeur]

I think the first thing you need to understand is whether they really can do anything about it--what is their business model? There is no point asking for something they simply can't do.

It sounds to me like that is the case. If they are teaching adults and kids, then they probably need the mornings and evenings.

You then need to be open to compromise--regardless of whether they screwed you. Try to find a way to get a new job that doesn't totally piss them off. You may need to put in 3-4 months with their schedule so they don't feel they have wasted a ton of money.

[some waygug-in]

Velkomm tu Korea.

Did they pay your way over? If so, you may have some issues to deal

with before you can just walk away. The ol' bait and switch.

Gotta luv it.

[Chimie]

I paid for my own plane ticket. I owe them no money.

The contract states the schools operating hours but never mentioned anything about teaching hours.

I understand I probably should have had a few more red flags, but I was already 2 months late in getting a job so perhaps I was too hasty in signing.

[ttompatz]

IF you can get out with an LOR then changing jobs is an option.

If you cannot get a LOR then how does China, Taiwan or Thailand sound to you (since a different job in Korea won't be an option till your E2 expires).

Last option is to tough it out, bank some coin and jump ship at your convenience. Go sit on a beach and return next year to try again. They say, "Third time's a charm" (but I personally don't believe them).

.

[Chimie]

Thanks TTom, was hoping to hear from you.

I negotiated with the school today, they seemed to be very upset at the recruiter too, since I wasn't the only one not happy having been misled by the recruiters (others were promised locations and benefits that didn't exist)

I said I'd work until they found a replacement in 1 academic session, about 2 months from now (we're writing up a new contract tomorrow) and they won't be reimbursing my airfare. They said they would give me the LOR at that time (I'll have them put that in the contract). I also will be getting slightly better hours and a better location in exchange.

Both sides aren't perfect, but we both made the best of the situation and all turned out well. The school definitely was trying their best not to screw me over it seems. (We'll see if that's true)

[PatrickGHBusan]

[MarkArtz]

Thanks for the helpful info!

[War Eagle]

ALWAYS speak with a current or former expat employee. If they try to prevent you from doing this, they are hiding something.

[ttompatz]