Korean Job Discussion Forums

iiicalypso · Joined: 13 Aug 2003 Location: is everything

I desperately need some advice. I am four months into my contract, and I am going to give my thirty days notice tomorrow. I could see the writing on the wall, so I applied for, and was offered, a Uni gig. The only problem is, my boss has a bit of a reputation for being a hothead, and I need some advice on how to deal with him tomorrow.

He is already down on me for not being Korean enough for his tastes (go figure...) and I want to try and leave without any bloodshed. So, those of you who have been in this situation... how did you proceed?

Thanks a lot.

osangrl · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Location: osan

Is this your first year in Korea?

No offense but if it is, i hope your boss is hotheaded.... charges you for airfare etc.

Im a firm believer that first timers need to put in their time.

Sorry.

iiicalypso · Joined: 13 Aug 2003 Location: is everything

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

Badmojo · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:20 am Post subject:

What can you do exactly?

Mr. Hothead is going to feel cheated. Whether you give your notice or not. Whether you try to do things the right way or not.

But you have to be careful here. You need a release letter from Mr. Hothead to legally change schools. Of course people have written they left the country, handed their ARC in, went to Japan with the documentation from their new school, and got a new E-2. Release this, Hothead.

Tell him, I'm afraid I have to give my notice. If possible, tell them you can stay as long as it takes to find a new teacher to replace you. If it should take a little more than thirty days, you can stay the extra week. You will re-pay airflight (if you owe it to them), and other things as is written in the contract.

That's what I would do.

Badmojo · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:21 am Post subject:

[quote="iiicalypso"]

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Does your contract allow you to leave after giving 30 days notice?

osangrl · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Location: osan

i haven't ran 3 times.
Once. My second year.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

be prepared not only to pay for the airfare, which is required by law, but also have some bribe money handy.
if the guy is a hothead, he's probably old school. if he's old school, he's going to make you pay in order to leave.

i was involved in a struggle to get out of a job that misrepresented itself. the director would not let me go for sake of saving face. she knew she was in the wrong, but was damned if she would admit it by letting me go.

she started bribe negotiations at 1million. i got her down to 300,000. she was leveraging all kinds of 'expenses' that she said were incurred by me.
i was only working there for 3weeks, and i paid for the airfare in advance.

i'd be pissed if i knew my employee was quitting for a better job, so try to come up with 'reasons' why he is better off without you.

i don't like your odds.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

For best results LIE!
Tell him that there has been a death in the family and you have to return home. You would like to come back to work for him but need a release letter in order to be able to get a new visa when you return. A grandparent would probably work best.

You are very sorry for the inconvenience and cant wait until you can return to working for him. Wink

If he asks why the release letter tell him that he would have to sponsor a new teacher while you were gone and you dont want him getting into trouble with immigration.

Ogirl that time of the month?

peppermint · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject:

What Grotto suggested might be worth trying, but it didn't really work for me. I went as far as buying a ticket home ( fully refundable Twisted Evil

) and they wanted me to repay my airfare, and recruiter fees PLUS the airfare and recruiter fees of the new teacher! Shocked

I told them flat out that I didn't have it, so they docked my entire last month's pay.

Hope your situation turns out better than mine did.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Peppermint did you go to the labour board?

I believe that they can only withhold, pension, taxes and health deductions from your pay without your permission.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

How does lying help you to become a better person? Finish your job as you promised. If not, pay back the airfare and recruiting fee.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

right...pay back the recruiter fee Rolling Eyes

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Find him a replacement teacher that is VERY Korean-like before you go will most certainly ease things over.