Korean Job Discussion Forums

zombiedog · Joined: 03 Oct 2011

I'm currently three months in to my second contract at a hagwon, but I'm thinking about quitting because of pay issues (very late pay) and a terrible work environment.

The contract I signed says that I must give 100 days notice before quitting, but that seems like a huge amount of time. Is there a Korean law that stipulates how much notice you must give? And if so, which takes precedent, the law or my contract?

Thanks for the help.

DosEquisXX · Joined: 04 Nov 2009

None. Midnight run.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

RangerMcGreggor · Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Location: Somewhere in Korea

It should depend on the job. If the place is good and you're just leaving because of something else be nice and send a notice.

If you are leaving because they are a terrible people then a midnight run is the best choice. Too many crappy hagwons screw teachers who try to be nice

Chaparrastique · Joined: 01 Jan 2014

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

30 days notice or pay in lieu to terminate you (again by law) PROVIDED you have been there more than 6 months.

.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

Although you can legally quit without advanced notice, I wouldn't recommend it in your case. If you've been paid more than 2 weeks late then it's much better for you to go to the LB and report the school. The LB guy will likely call up the school while you're there and ask the school what's going on and tell them to pay you. Tell the LB guy that you suspect that the school is going broke and you want to leave instead working for free (which will happen if you don't get paid). He might agree to give you a letter for immigration to let you transfer your visa. Maybe he won't. If the boss doesn't pay you for another week then go back to the LB and they'll definitely give you the letter.

Another thing might happen after your first visit to the LB. As soon as you arrive at work your boss might fire you. If so then you go right back to the LB and tell them that your boss fired your for reporting him to the LB. In the eyes of LB, that's a big no-no. It's an unjustified termination and they'll give you that letter so that you can transfer your visa.

Before going to the LB the first time, you should probably pack your stuff and be ready to head out just in case your boss goes ballistic, throws a temper tantrum and tries to boot you out of the apartment.

Basically, getting the blessing of the LB is a major bonus for you because it means that you can easily transfer your visa. If you can do a visa transfer then you'll get more job offers because it's easier and faster for employers to hire you.

If you do just call your boss one day and say "Hi. I won't be coming in to work today because I quit." then you can still get paid for the time you worked, but it will probably take a lot of visits to the LB and possibly court (costs you nothing except your time).