Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sohnajin]

I was attacked in my home in Korea by a Korean man. My school told me they wanted me to have the surgery (to repair the broken bone in my face) in the States but since I had already agreed to renew my contract, I would have to come back after recovering. Since coming back they have said they have no obligation to pay the costs (had I known they would say this I would not have honored my previous commitment to come back). My contract says they pay half of medical insurance premiums but I was not insured. They say this is no longer an issue since I didn't bring it up when I first came to Korea. In October I developed a cyst on my lower back and had to have immediate surgery here in Korea to have it removed. They have paid half the costs of this, but deducted an inappropriate amount according to my calculations and what I believe the contract says. In the few meetings I've had with the accountant at the school and one Korean teacher who translates for him, he has said the Korean Labor Board is on the side of the hagwon and if I mention this again, I will be fired. I said fine, fire me, and now they say I must sign a letter of resignation. I don't want to pay the costs incurred by signing this so I said no, even though I despise working here now. They said I have until the 24th of this month to sign the statement (and then what? I don't know). They are also blackmailing me with the fact that one of the teachers set me up with private lessons for a few short months and they will report me to the police if I continue to argue with them. I teach all day so I have no opportunity to contact any agencies. Who or where can I go to just to find out what my options are? Any advice is appreciated...

[FUBAR]

Call their bluff and then contact the efl guys. These guys are the typical school yard bully. In actuality they are using your ignorance of the law to their advantage. They want you to sign a letter of resignation so that they can claim you owe them airfare money and will thus default on their portion of the medical bills. If they want to fire you, fine. Let them do that. But don't resign. Then they will have you by the balls so to speak.

http://www.efl-law.com/

[Ryst Helmut]

http://www.efl-law.com/korea_home.html


Protect yourself, contact these guys right fast.....





!shoosh

Ryst

[sohnajin]

It's been a really intimidating situation, they keep saying things like "we know you've been lying" and "we'll report you to the police if you don't" and "sign this or else." I feel like no one is on my side. I really appreciate your posts; I have contacted the EFL-Law website, hopefully they can guide me in the right direction...

[Bunnymonster]

I hear Thailand is very nice this time of year........

[TheUrbanMyth]

Post the name of your school. You've already given enough specific information on here, so it can't really hurt. Also it could give other people a heads-up.

I was in a similar situation once. I threatened them right back. Ask about pension, and check your pay slips. If they are not paying your pension that is something you can hold over their heads. Also see if you can find out anything else that may give you a bigger edge. And yes I agree contact the labour board directly. There is a poster here by the name of Mankind whose wife works for the labour board. If you PM him nicely, he may be able to help you out.

Ignore their threats. Once they see you are afraid of them, it's over.

[sadsac]

It's tough but stand your ground. They have a legal responsibility to pay those costs and they know it. They want you to absolve them of any blame now and in the future. Hope it all works out.

[sohnajin]

The name of my school is Pals Lab. I really thought it was a great school until this whole fiasco, so I feel bad trash-talking them, but they really are trying to take advantage of me. Watch out, potential teachers!