Korean Job Discussion Forums

agraham · Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Location: Daegu, Korea

You boss was a jerk, no doubt about it. No excuse for talking down to you like that.
However, asking for advance is borrowing money, interest free, by another name. Ethically, is it fair to demand an interest free loan or get upset if it's denied? You say "it's my money", but it's not until you earn it.
Full disclosure: I did ask for an advance the first month I was here, and my boss was good about it.
Niether a borrower nor a lender be. If you can help it.

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

If we extended the same courtesy to newbies that we do to "the captain" this place would be a flower childs ideal home instead of "ISLAND OF LOST SOULS"

Just shows that once you "pay your dues" somewhere you are treated far differently.

Oh well, such is life. Twisted Evil

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

Sounds like your boss did you a favour. Now you're over here and can find a far better job.

I agree with everyone else. Taking advances is bad strategy. You don't need to give WJN any extra leverage.

So are you going to work out the month, or are you out on the street?

Homer · Guest

Multiple pay advances in the same month.

That is just a dumb, dumb idea CK.

Sorry to hear of your troubles with your boss but considering the attitude you just described (yours) about asking for multiple advances in your previous job as well...it seems there might be more to this sad story then you are telling.

You try asking your boss back home for multiple advances on your pay and see what happens.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Thanks, Homer, for suggesting I'm broke. You're really a tool, and kind of anal as well. All part of a well rounded, conservative personna delivering sound advice with a dash of spite. How passively aggressively delicious. Laughing

I can't remember pissing you off, and you've always been all right. So what's the problem, why so dry, so raspingly 'correct'? Someone has been administered spankings.

Yeah, well, the advances thing is not a good idea. Better not to make waves or say boo. Keep a low profile and live in fear, terrified of upsetting the boss.

Or appearing incompetent to Homer Laughing

Turtle, they give me slack and don't attack because we've all heard each other think online here, like talking in our sleep. And have felt the sharp lash of each other's grinding facets, put to the test. And that's entertainment....

You'll notice that a thread about getting fired gets more response than one of those 'this is my last post on Dave's' threads. Stay tuned for 'I killed my boss and buried the pieces because he didn't pay severance' Twisted Evil

dulouz · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: Uranus

Problems with bosses is always a bad time but for all of the exprerience you have, it really looks like you are in an amaturish position. You have
been here for 5 - 7 years and you still work at a hogwon? Whats up with that? You should be owning one by this time.

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

Hey, I've worked here about that long and I LOVE working in a hagwon! I LOVE teaching. If I owned one, I wouldn't have time to teach. What would be the fun in that? Perhaps captain kirk also enjoys teaching.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Dulouz, who asked you? About anything. Am I asking you for anything? I've put your remarks in a safe place where you can find them. Should you need toilet tissues some wipe down the road. Some amateurish situation in the loo.

Yeah, whatever. I like teaching kids. Do you own a hagwon? Maybe you should own one if you think it's such a hot idea. If you think it'll make you feel impotent. As impotent as one should be by such and such a time. In the race to be impotent, like.

Shoulds. Nobody needs to hear shoulds. Is there a Shoulds Club? I don't want to join. Laughing

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

I haven't been scolded and lectured about anything for a long time. If I was a member of the Should Club then maybe I should have submitted to some of that good stuff. But no, I'm an adult. So who is this little boss tyrano like a big bug in my ear scolding and lecturing? I'm supposed to be startled, then let it sink in that I've been humiliated. Then lurk and live in fear minding my p's and q's.
Too freaky.
I look after his kids and do my job; he takes care of me. This is Korea, and he's my feudal lord the way he sees it. That might as well have some benefit to me. Living under his wing/protection/care, as well as authority. Otherwise, what good is he?

Just a tyrant with this scolding nonsense a kind of prosthesis to make him feel better, the clueless, limbless, puffdaddy Laughing

But seriously, I'd watch my step if I were you. Around these feudally enthroned oh so sensitive bosses. Hand them hankies and wait while they blow their scented noses.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

korean employees of small businesses ask for and get advances with no problems.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Sorry, man. You want the contract to protect you but not to protect your boss. This is the flip-side of taking things literally.

Homer · Guest

Teufelswacht · Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Location: Land Of The Not Quite Right

Nobody likes to be talked down to or humiliated, regardless of age or nationality. That being said, we are all human. If, in the bosses opinion, you had become a major pain-in-the-ass then in all likelyhood he lost his cool because he was presented with yet ANOTHER request for advance pay.

Was the "deposit," which seems to becoming a more common practice these days, outlined in your contract? If it was, what are you bitching about, you signed it. If it wasn't then you are right to refuse. FYI some universities are adding that illegal provision in their contracts as well. There is a university advertising on Dave's right now that has a deposit clause in their contract. So, it's just not your boss.

It seems your boss had become paranoid about runners. Maybe he had previous experiences with runners, for whatever reason. Your multiple advance pay requests, in his mind, could be a red flag indicating you want as much money in your hands as possible before doing a runner.

When you got into an argument with him, did you at any point say something to the effect of ".......if that happens, I'll quit." Or maybe said something like "....maybe I'll just quit if that happens." If you did, then this can be translated in your bosses mind that you did in fact quit. Or, maybe he has just had with you and is looking for an excuse to drop you like a bad habit.

Sounds like you are better off without him, and he is better off without you.

Better luck next time.