Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Speedling]

The hagwon I have been at for several years has gotten pretty bad in recent months. My contract expired months ago and they have been quite clear that when a replacement is found I am out the door.

The director has also given me bad references to block my finding a new job before it is convenient for him. He has promised to give me a good reference as long as I do what I can to make this transition go smoothly (ie. stick around until my replacement is hired, trained and ready to teach). The date keeps getting pushed back and I am being held hostage for a reference with no clear information on when I will eventually be losing this job. This has been going on since the summer and my wife and I just want out of this situation. The uncertainty of whether this next paycheck will be my last has been taking its toll.

I may have secured another job that pays signifigantly more but they want me to start ASAP. This would really create a problem for my current hagwon and obviously destroy my chances of getting a good reference. I feel like working somewhere for 3 years and burning bridges on the way out is a hell of a gutsy move. Then again, there is no garantee I will ever get a good reference from this guy so staying might be foolish.

Typing this up and reading my own words has made it seem pretty clear what I have to do. Quitting with no notice is something I never wanted or planned to do.

Any advice? Should I just move out of the school provided apartment and not show up Monday? Should I risk losing this potentially great new job prospect by asking for a later start date? What would you do?

Oh F6 visa so LOR and immigration are not going to be an issue. He will likely with hold some pay I am guessing.

[aq8knyus]

[jleblanc]

[ttompatz]

You have an ASAP job waiting and an F6. A reference isn't necessary.

The current employer is what he is.

Why are you even asking?

.

[Hokie21]

This is a no brainer. The only person holding you hostage at your current job is you. This is a business, he hasn't treated you fairly and you have a better opportunity for you and your wife. Why are you putting up with it? Get your things out of your apartment and get out of there.

Maybe this will teach your current boss to treat his next foreign employee a little bit better. All you are doing right now is making yourself miserable and reinforcing your bosses belief that he can treat foreigners poorly. Give him a wake up call.

[thetawnyman]

If you have a job secured then you don't need a letter of reference anyway. Don't see what the problem is.

[basic69isokay]

Absolutely burn em.
Bail the f out after next payday.
Btw, this is why your own housing is so important.

F any hagwon thats corrupt and treating you poorly.
Plenty of other jobs.

[Troglodyte]

Reference letters aren't important. Just have a reason ready for why you decided not to continue there. (Boss wasn't paying in full. You thought the school would close due to fewer students. The boss drinks at work. You don't like the neighborhood.....) As long as it sounds reasonable then no one will care. They will also understand that most former employers at small businesses will give you a bad reference simply because they'll be upset that you left. It's common knowledge.

[EZE]

The other job is lined up and pays more, so why stick around and work for a lower paying, abusive employer? It would be different if your boss had been honoring the contract and treating you in an honorable manner instead of going out of his way to jerk you around after you've worked there for years.