Korean Job Discussion Forums

PECisDplace2B · Joined: 19 Aug 2003

I've been at my Hagwon a half a year - give or take. The last two months were hell. The administration just became confrontational, the other Koreans were pissy and vindictive. Then one day I told my director I'm about one more rude comment away from hopping on the bus to Incheon outahere. Suddenly everything with the school is fine. No more money haggles, no more constant persistence to keep doing more and more work etc etc...

All in all I'm saying that often a good way to deal with socially defective Hagwon personnel is to tell them you're about to hit the road. It really seems to scare them.

Another hint; during discussions about your contract and work act like you could give f@#$ if they threaten you. Never act afraid.

Remember no one makes a dime in these bloody Hagwons if it isn't for the foreigners. The locals often seem to forget that and they need to be reminded!!!

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

It's a dicey game to play. Threatening to quit.

There's a glut of foreigners willing to come here these days. If your hagwon is willing to swallow a couple of million replacement costs then they'll fire you in a shot.

I'm noticing a lot more teachers getting fired recently. Often for paltry reasons.

PECisDplace2B · Joined: 19 Aug 2003

Let's look at the economics of the situation. I'm here with my girlfriend, so the cost is double.

Recruiting fees: 2 mil
Plane tickets from Canada: 2-3 mil

Total for one couple 4 mil(low) 5 mil(high)
Now they've already invested that in us.
So they've got to spend all over again.
The total cost of procuring labour for a 12 month period is about 8-10 million won for 2. Ouch, looks like the boss isn't getting that Cadillac this year.
And they have zero guarantee that the next bunch aren't going to be useless booze hounds who run the first week(seen it happen at my Hagwon), so I know its in the back of their minds.

inkoreaforgood · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Inchon

Saying you're going to leave is a last resort tactic. Using it repeatedly is much like crying wolf. I'm guessing that in your case you may have reached that point. Next time you have problems, don't use that particular tactic. It sounds like you may have tried to be reasonable with them before, and now they know you are serious, you may try reasoning with them in the future again. Good luck.

PECisDplace2B · Joined: 19 Aug 2003

You're right 100%.
I was at my wits end over a couple of contract issues. Particularly about getting my health insurance. Now I try and be reasonable.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I think the best tactic is to just let a lot of little things just go over your head and go with the flow.

I've noticed a lot of people get angry about the little things and it seems to agrrevate all the bigger things.

Just chill out but don't be screwed over is the best advice.

sublimeshawn · Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Location: Nebraska, USA

I think a lot of it depends on where you are too, Im in the middle of no where so If I felt I was getting screwed to bad I could raise the "im leaving or else" ploy and I'm pretty confident they'd shape up, but I think in some of the more attractive places to live in seoul and the like, competition is greater and the hogwans are more willing to fire ya! now if I just totally sucked as a teacher Id get fired here as well of course!

Michelle · Joined: 18 May 2003

If you ask me you hardly have to be a bad teacher to get fired in this country.

Half the time you can be the scapegoat for everything that's going wrong in the parent's little lives (not to mention the life of the hagwon director).

Sometimes you simply put, piss them off, which doesn't take much.

Been there, done that....

Almost forgot to mention that occasionally it's been known to happen, just want to keep your pay (like in the 11th month).

That's the most friendly..

Skarp · Joined: 22 Aug 2003

CAREFUL!

If they know you're gonna quit they might keep

Last month plus of course severance....

They'd think they were quids in.

Even if they do have trouble getting a half decent replacement - that won't stop them.

You can't fight stupidity.

I just ran for the green hills of Japan.

Not paradise and in some ways a much tougher place to find work - but so far no regrets.

If you want to quit - just quit. Warning them is not gonna gain you much ground and they could just fire you...

No pay - get out - there are even stories of hagwons withdrawing money from your account - though how this is possible beats me...

Don't run John !

- everybody runs!

I did.

Skarp

PECisDplace2B · Joined: 19 Aug 2003

Eamo,

Reggadeath? Was that the early 90's Toronto Reggae band with Michie Mee?

I ask you, why ask why? Reggadeath

ohahakehte · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The State of Denial

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Remember that the majority of Korean hogwan owners are inbred stupid morons. They dont remember what they did last week let alone realize the repercussions of firing a foriegner! Oh I bent you over and shagged you up the ass and you didnt like it? WHY? This is Korea all Koreans like being bent over and shagged up the ass! Why didnt you like it?

The hellwon that I am at now went through 11(thats right eleven teachers) in one year...why? Crappy location...too many hours...you get treated like crap by the owners. Lets see..11 teachers in one year..round trip tickets all of them ,,,average airfare 2.2 mil each...1 mil recruiter fee sucking up for the first month 200,000 totals about 3.5 each. x 11= 38.5 million won thrown away because they are stupid idiots.

3 more days Very Happy

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

PECisDplace2B · Joined: 19 Aug 2003

Eamo,
Sorry that reply was directed toward intokoreaforgood.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Grotto, that's amazing. What can they be 'thinking'. Lording it over is one thing, but going thru that much cash through so many short lived hirings? I wonder if schools in 'the middle of nowhere' are more out of touch with reality and 'living on high' in some kind of absurdity. This way or the highway. Rough country treatment? I went sniffing around a job in a small mountain town eight months ago. The school didn't have a sign out front, up one flight of stairs. Four classrooms, shabby inside. Lots of students, however. The boss seemed a hyperslouch who liked to bully and go fishing with the boys. The way he said, "I've known lots of foreign teachers' was with a knowing mockery. Make their own rules in the isolation of the country, more feudal?