Korean Job Discussion Forums

[neogeomm]

My contract will end the middle of June. My employer has approached my boyfriend and I asking us to stay. When we were first approached we mentioned we wanted to go home for one month and then possibly come back to Korea. Our employer then told me that she couldn't do one month, but she'd let us go home for 2 weeks. I haven't officially told her yes or no as to whether we are going to stay or not.

We don't want to stay for a variety of reasons. We are uncertain as to tell our employer or not. She has behaved shady in the past and we don't exactly trust her. Our contract is very vague (I know we should have clarified many things before we signed, but I was happy to have a job, I didn't pay attention). My boyfriend and I want to inform our employer that we have no intentions of staying past our one year mark, but we are fearful our employer may then 1) fire us, 2) keep our bonus, 3) keep our airline fare, etc...

What is the normal practice?

Another side question. We both arrived at the same time, but my boyfriend had to do a visa run to Japan. His E2 officially started 12 days after mine. Come the middle of June, what do I do? Can I wait the 12 days for his visa to finish? What do you do when you are paid at the end of the month and your contract expires the middle of the month?

Please, any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Tiger Beer]

Official practice is that you finish your 1 year.. and you get your bonus.. and all is good.

Sounds like you are more worried about getting screwed over here than working more at your school.

Legitimate concerns.

I'd tell them that you love your school, absolutely would love to teach again there, and you very well possibly can AFTER the Summer.. but you really need to get some certain things done this Summer - suggest some class or something you need to attend all Summer - a TESOL course or something starting in August - thats REALLY important!! YET YOU WANT TO BE IN KOREA IN SEPTEMBER.

IN short, make it look like you are torn, want to be there, but can't quite that quickly. This way he pays you everything you are deserved with the anticipation that you WILL be back in Korea hopefully at his school for another year or spell. Once you are paid all is good.

But him assuming you will be back in Korea regardless.. either your school if paid, or hounding him from another school if not, is generally a good deterrant for any potential funny business on his part.

[jajdude]

[sheba]

Ive heard that you can stay in the country for 2 weeks after your visa expires, although Im not exactly certain of this. I was also told to expect 2 weeks vacation if you resign a contract - in which they will still pay your airfare home, and then back to Korea. in this time they will be processing your new visa...

(my TESOL trainer told me this, who worked in Korea for 5 years).

[the eye]

Tiger Beer has the right advice. If you are worried that she will become vindictive, tell her you NEED to get home for a rest. see family. friends...

and yes, if everything goes smoothly...ie, she pays you the severance and air, then you would be happy to come back.

[mishlert]

[Ya-ta Boy]

You do have a right to be concerned about being fired, etc. because that has happened. You do say the boss has been shady. That's not enough information for me to judge in this situation.

However, it could be that she just needs to know if you will return or if she needs to start advertising for two new teachers.

Unless there is something that makes your suspicions more than just suspicions, you might be up-front with your boss and volunteer to read through resumes and help in other ways find replacements.

[crazylemongirl]

[pegpig]

Some will say that your contract is finished - the end. You don't have to give an excuse why you don't want to stay. Right. But, if you know there's going to be some funky business there's every reason to be wary.

I've been worried in the past about the same situation as the op. Someone suggested giving them a plausible reason for going home for at least a month. That sounds reasonable, but also consider that if that reason is so valid then why haven't you given them that reason already. It should have come out quickly. And, if you suddenly have a wedding or school to attend that may also not be believable.

If your contract ends in the middle of June, this point may be too late. But, you definitely want to give them at least a month's notice. I know you're worried about the 11th hour firing.

I know someone who got an extension on his visa. But, that was to attend a World Cup match. If you have a good reason it shouldn't be a problem. If you have a good smile and you're white you probably won't even need a reason.

[neogeomm]

My boyfriend and I make up 2/3 of the foreign teaching staff. Our employer has recently told us that she is experiencing financial difficulties and she needs us to stay. Simple fact, not at this hagwon. We have been forced to share single room accomodations, even though each of our contracts offer us our own apartment. She refuses to pay us a living allowance.

My boyfriend was told he needed an operation, for those without insurance, the cost is close to 2million won. She told him he doesn't absolutely need the surgery so she won't pay for half and if he came up with the money she wouldn't give him the time off for recovery. This operation is covered by insurance! But, we are on the 50/50 plan.

We don't pay into the pension plan, there are more than 5 employees if you include the korean staff. When asked about it, my employer told me she was going to keep our share of the pension herself and give us the money back at the end of our contract to insure we don't pull a midnight run. With some luck we avoided that scheme.

She has refused to give back airfare to a previous employee even after completing his one year. She said he would have to give 2 months notice for her to reimburse. He had already finished his one year!

Yes I am scared of my boss pulling an 11 month firing. Or, failing to deliver the money. I want to tell her I am not coming back and I want to give proper notice. I just can't trust her.

There are plenty of hagwons, I made a poor decision in selecting this school, I've paid my debt, but I don't know how to get what is justly owed to me: my bonus, airfare, and salary.

[Tiger Beer]

[tzechuk]

I agree with TB.. you really don't want to tell them that you are leaving. Also, you don't need to give them any proper notice whatsoever. It sounds unethical but your contract is for one year, after your year, you have no obligation to continue, nor do you need to give any notice that you won't return.

String her along, just like she's done to you. Let her think that you will return, tell her though you want to negotiate a new contract when you return (which will definitely make her think you will return) and lure her into giving you all your salary/bonus/airfare before you leave. Then if you don't come back, she can't sue you because your one-year contract has already expired.

[the eye]

[crazylemongirl]

[dulouz]

Op, you have problems and you need advice so listen.