Korean Job Discussion Forums

[natemk]

dans korea.

[peppermint]

I walked into a similar situation when I first got here. Signed an amazing contract, and when I got to the school, the manager basically chanted "Oh, I didn't read that part!"

My advice- save your battles for the big stuff, medical insurance, getting paid on time and vacation. If you get nasty about the commuting fee, thy might just move you back to the nasty apartment.

[Grotto]

Calmly, politely, firmly and in writing put down what it will take you to stay at this location for the entire year. Write down how you feel you were lied to at the start and that these other things are interfering with your ability to be a good teacher. Ohh I cant come to work today I have a stress headache...perhaps if I wasnt so stressed out over the crap you guys have put me through and are continuing to put through I wouldnt have this problem....oh yes if I leave so will my partner....


The Korean attitude....hey I bought you shut up and do your job...hey I didnt promise all those things in your contract somebody else wrote it up.
What you actually expect all the things in your contract Why are you bothering me Me no spek engrish Hey just drag your ass into class and be the white monkey for the parents to see how much of thier money I invested for you to be here. Oh god somebody is actually standing up for himself how did this being ever get past immigration

Stand firm.....they just dont understand western culture. In thier culture it is expected that employees will bend over grab their ankles and take it up the ass no matter what the boss does. Give an inch and they will continue to take and take and take until you blow up and then they will be honestly confused about your anger. Why are you angry we have been dicking you around for weeks but now you get angry WHY Be a good employee and take it up the ass for another 11 months.

[casey's moon]

How are the other foreigners you're working with? Do they have a stick-together type mentality? I was lucky to be with a group of foreigners who went to bat for each other whenever necessary. It worked because we didn't abuse it. The directors may think they can replace you, or even you and your partner, but there's no way they can replace all six of you! Whether you're on your own in this or with the group, I agree that writing down what it takes to keep you in Korea is the way to go. Be clear and concise, and detailed.

Working for a hagwon is a great deal for a year in Korea -- but it will show you the worst of this country. I sincerely hope you'll have a chance to experience the good stuff too very soon.

Good luck!

[ratslash]

this i why i have always, always said you shouldn't apply for jobs from outside korea (or even from within korea) without first seeing the school/apartment/manager/fellow workers!!! it is madness!

why is it madness? coz in korea a contract means nothing, as does a person's word!

[kprrok]

[jazblanc77]

Rule number one: DON"T trust recruiters!

Sorry to hear about your situation.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[peemil]

Why do you have to work with your mate? Why do you need a commuting fee? Do you get paid that at home? So there's a little bit of blood on the matress. No place to hang your clothes. Buy a clothes hanger.

If you don't like the communte. Get a motorbike or a car.

Jesus... Just this post just stinks of someone straight out of university and into Korea. Mum and Dad not around to wipe your bum for you anymore?

Here's something that I'd like to bang into the heads of a lot of people in this country. Grow up. Things don't always go your way. Even at home contracts have flaws in them- Usually in the fine print. People will lie, cheat and steal and shouldn't be trusted. The only way to avoid this is to be as INDEPENDENT as possible.

Rather than be another whiny teacher to your boss, drop the subject if it's a lost cause. What's the point of winning something that'll ruin both your chances?

[Grotto]

Sorry Peemil Where do you get off ranting about somebody in a crap situation

Blood on the mattress hey take the mattress to your bosses home...go in and exchange mattresses with him see how he likes it

When I arrive in Korea one of the first things I check is the cleanliness of the apartment and its furnishings. If it is something I can take care of with a little elbow grease and soap then no problem. If I found blood on the mattress and the school didnt do anything about it after I complained I would take the mattress to school and show it to all my students. Todays lesson is how your teacher has to sleep on a filthy bloody mattress!

He doesnt have to work with his mate BUT that is how they set it up when coming over here. Upon arrival you find out that you have been lied to

A closet is part of basic furnishings for an apartment. If they dont have one they should

[peemil]

My point you wally is that if he doesn't ever ask anything from his Director it puts him in a better spot later on. If he owes nothing and is an independent as possible rather than the usual, run and cry to "your Korean" everytime you get in to problems in this country you're the one who can't take care of themselves as an adult. Do you ask your boss for stuff at home? No. Especially not a matress. So why the hell do people seem to think that they can just walk around demanding shit from their bosses here. Fucking grow up. Fix problems yourself. Make the best of every situation. Owe nothing to nobody. Be independent. Do your work. Go home. Just go and get your own for christ's sake.

Shit- When I come here I walked in and there was just a bed, a tv and a washer. That's it. Nothing else. Then I find out that some people demand everything from cutlery to bookcases from their school. *beep* a duck. Straight out of college for christs sake. I've never had a boss out fit an apartment for me. I'd never ask. I just do it myself because that is my responsibility. That's my department. That's what I have to do to make myself comfortable.

Now I've got a great place. I own it all. I'll take it home and put it in my home in Australia. I owe my boss nothing. Nada. She can't dictate anything to me. I do my job. I do it well. I come home to my lovely place with my lovely missus and have a good life. I DON'T NEED ANYONE!

That is far from being a wimp.

[spliff]

I guess I've been lucky...never had the school/position turn out to what it was not reprsented as. However, if anything happened like the original posters complaint, I'd be gone and looking for a new job...IN A HEART BEAT!

[pecan]

Peemil has given you some great advice.

Complaining about trivial stuff, like bus fare only shows your inexperience and immaturity. Whining about those kinds of things will only come back to haunt you later, so the sooner you can calm down and close your mouth, the better.

If you want a new mattress, go out and purchase one. They are extremely inexpensive.

Take off your blinders and realize how you are being viewed by your employer. Show some independence and initiative by taking care of things on your own.

Sage advice seldom appears on this site, but Peemil was kind enough to give you some.

The choice is yours to make.

Best of luck,
Nut

[the eye]

natemk...

i checked your previous posts and i noticed that you signed for a school without receiving any information from posters here about it's reputation.

that alone would have caused me not to sign.


subsequently...

...did you personally speak to other teachers there by phone, regarding the school, OR the apartment, BEFORE you signed the contract?

...did you personally speak to the director of the school regarding the possibility of two positions at the same school?

...did you do a search on the blacklists?


according to your post, you travelled around the world into something a RECRUITER told you....
anyone working here knows that you dhouldn't trust recruiters!!!

to answer your question...yes, recruiters AND employers OFTEN CHEAT AND LIE.

you could have found that out a long time ago. sorry to sound harsh, but shit happens when you trust a distant promise.