Korean Job Discussion Forums

Adamusiak · Joined: 17 Jun 2004

All I have to say is that I think my boss has me cornered. He gave me an option the other day, and that was to get fired on the spot, or if I wanted to keep the job I had to agree to his new terms and sign a peice of paper saying I agreed. The terms were, if I am not at school 1 hour b4 shift.....even 59 min...I am fired, if I disagree with him... fired. or if I do anything to upset him in anyway...fired. He also told me I have 24 hours to leave the apt. and a week to get out of the country if I do get fired. My question is what can I do? also the contract is not what it says. and he has gone back on his work orally several times. Please advise me. Oh, and lastly, he said he will not release me from my contract, so if I do get fired I will have to leave the country. I have been here for 5.5 months, in case you are wondering. oh ya and making me do obscene amounts of paper work, becasue he says he can.

Big Guy

snufalufagus · Joined: 10 May 2004

This is Korea, and in reality, from a functional standpoint, there is little to nothing you can do. You can of course, explain to him he can't do that, you can call the Labor Board to complain, or ... you can quit (but first informing the Labor Board and Immigration of your side of the story so if you get fired you have an opportunity to bypass the need for a Letter of Release and get a new job).

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

At 5.5 months into your contract, your boss can fire you without notice and there's nothing you can do about it through legal channels, the Labour Board etc. Hang out to the 6 month mark if you can...

Then do as snufulufugus suggests and hand in your written notice and also inform immigration and let them know exactly why you're resigning.

Does your contract have an opt out clause?

Adamusiak · Joined: 17 Jun 2004

If I quit, then I loose the one months compensation don't I? ie the bonous. I am not to concerned about staying in korea....taiwan isn't to bad and it doesn't have the harsh winters. So am I fine past 6 months? does anyone have experince with this?

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:17 am Post subject:

I have never shown up less than an hour before my first class and only twice less than ninety minutes early. It's time that could be well used preping for class.

As for the paperwork, that comes with teaching, unless it isn't relevant to the planning, performance or evaluation of your own classes. What's an obscene amount?

There are worse things you could be expected to sign yourself to do.

As long as you are getting your full paycheques and enjoy life inside your own classroom I recommend you grin and bear it for another month and see if the clouds pass.

Good luck whatever.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Adamusiak · Joined: 17 Jun 2004

Well I had no prob showing up 30-40 min before my aft class, but when i baby sit the kindy kids, thats the prob. no prep needed at all. and obscene paper work, went from like 3-5 hours a week to about 10 now. and I am basically grounded at work. I can't leave for a real lunch as I work splits. so I am there from 8-8. basically 20 hours in school doing work I should not be doing as no other teachers but me are required to do so.

marista99 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Location: Incheon

If you're willing to just go ahead and leave for Taiwan, why not just do it? And why do you need to wait for the 6 months to be up to do that?

I've heard of people in bad teaching situations doing "midnight runners" after like 2 months. If it's that bad, and you have no special attachment to Korea, leave.

Or if this new contract he wants you to sign is really that ludicrous, bring a copy to the labor board or something. Surely he would get in trouble for trying to force something like that on you?

Adamusiak · Joined: 17 Jun 2004

Well lastly, the boss had me teaching Illegal for the first 3 months. as he was to busy to send me to get a visa. if i do go to the labour board, who will they come down harder on. also, the bonous is a legal issue, I know if I get fired post 6 months, than I am entitled to one months compensation. hmmmm...maybe I should try to get fired.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Adamusiak · Joined: 17 Jun 2004

If he fires me on the spot post 6 months, that I just walk into the Labourboard and plead my case? or do I say " thanks boss, now that i am no longer an Employee, since I have been fired. I would legally like my one months compensation."

Sorry this is tha part I am confused about.

marista99 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Location: Incheon

Adamusiak · Joined: 17 Jun 2004

If he does gimme the Get out of my hogwan and clean out your Apt.????? This is what he told me he would do. and he has fired 2 of the last Employees this way, changed the locks, and left there stuff in the hall.

Again, just trying to cover my behind

marista99 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Location: Incheon

Again, by firing you on the spot and throwing you out of the apartment, he is breaking the law. No 30 days notice = illegal.

But he doesn't seem concerned about breaking the law, as evidenced by the fact that you worked 3 months illegally.

Get out of that place. Now. Go to Taiwan. Or Thailand, or Japan. Wherever, just get the heck out of there and away from this maniac.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie