Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ryst Helmut]

Canadian Teacher,

Yes, I can easily find work elsewhere, and it may be better, but again...that's not the point. I would like to stay in this area, as I've 1000 pyeong of land, soon to be 3000 pyeong... and a 120 pyoung house in the making. Now do you understand why I wouldn't want to give up this job or it's location? All I would like is to be treated fairly, no no no...given what is (seemingly) legally due to me.

I think you're giving worthwhile information, but seem all-too-pessimistic.

I think this can be accomplished, just how, is the question.

Yes, I am a neophyte to legal issues, but ain't gonna learn unless...

Shoosh,

Ryst

[long-term-player]

I think the hill to success is very steep! Two years back I took my university to court - after 8 years I was seeking tenure - lawyer said I had a good chance!! (Foolish me for believing) well I paid the $20,000.00 retainer - it went plus about $6000 more: the case died because the Judge in the Supreme Court wouldn't refer the mater to the Constitutional court (it all turned on the wording of the Education Act and hiring of foreigners - how, etc) and the university lawyers played this up well. However, that is only half the story; had the constitutional court deemed the sections of the Education Act unconstitutional, then we would have had the matter referred back to the Supreme Court who then would have applied a two part test: a) that certain contrcatual considerations had to e considered, namely that every contrcat I signed had to be almost identical and (ii) that without a PhD and considering other provisions of two other acts, regulations, related to the Education Act, I couldn�t have got over the threshold requirements. My contrcat had some changes over the years which would have probably sunk me - let alone my qualifications.
So before spending any money at all, tell the lawyers that the case needs to be heard in the constitutional court - but then I imagine an honest lawyer (!) would know the above facts from simple research an tell his client about what is expected - namely $40,000 or so to fight the case - but I suspect some lawyers know this anyway and overlook it !

[Trinny]

Your lawyer might have genuinely believed you have a strong case against your university. Correct me, if I am wrong, but it seems to me Korean court system has a sneaky way of getting around the Korean laws it is supposed to uphold to make a verdict in favour of Koreans and against foreigners.

If you want to sue a Korean employer, you got to act together in a group, then you will have a slim chance of winning.

[Real Reality]

What do the annual contract system and renewal limits really mean?

From a recent university ad:

Period of Contract: One (1) year, with the possibility of renewal(s) three times at the end of the contract.

Your coming here will only enable the universities to substitute a fired long-termer with a neophyte, and thus perpetuate the cycle. Your arrival, I'm sorry to say, will in fact weaken the bargaining position of those already here. For our sake as well as your own, I recommend you do not come.

[kimcheeking]

ooohh... Very interesting thread... Keep the information coming.

KK

[rudyflyer]

there are 2 people at my univ who have been here over 6 years, so there doesn't seem to a problem here. Of course they also haven't gotten a raise either the entire time they've been here which stinks.

[Ajarn Miguk]

Just because they have been there six years does not mean they have tenure. It just means they have been there six years. Were they Korean professors they would probably have tenure by now. They will probably have a problem when and if the university decides not to renew their contracts. If they had tenure, they would have no such problem.

[rudyflyer]

never said the 2 guys here had tenure ajarn. Just that they've been here that long. they just keep getting the same contract with different dates written in. They've never mentioned tenure but given how enrollments at this univ are dropping like a rock and they have a costy contract (they teach 5 classes/semester vs mine 6 and their OT is 40k/hour vs 20 for me) I wouldn't be suprised if a few of the long termers aren't renewed come Feb (BTW those guys are employed by the English dept and we are employed by FLEC) and yup they'd have no recourese which stinks.

going to be interesting next spring

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

You're right. It does stink. Big time stink.

[Bingoman]

Very surprising thread. Some teachers I know have been at the same (private) university for 7 years, and one for 11 years.

[Carldaddy]

Just a note on Class Action lawsuits. Currently, class action lawsuits do not exist in Korea. The National Assembly has been debating a bill to change this over the last few years, but to no result yet.

The bill to allow class action lawsuits has been proposed to support shareholders in corporations who are under investigation for a myriad of shady corporate governance issues.

For teachers, or anyone to mount a class action lawsuit, they will have to wait until the concept has been legalized.

[Ryst Helmut]

Carldaddy,

Thanks for posting that information, but as time lapsed, I chose to 'move to the next stage of my life,' as I realised that I shan't be there 'til my retiring days...


But if a class action suit were to occur, I beus the firstus to sign on the bandwagon...for the furtherment of my fellow shankers.

To Equality (chug chug)!

Shoosh,

Ryst

[weatherman]

I should add from informal conversations that it looks like I will be on for a 6th year and more . So it looks a bit brighter for me, but I am still preparing my CV and other relivant info..

[Ryst Helmut]

Weather,

I too was offered a contract for the 6th year straight, but declined, and it took them 3 weeks to finally believe that I was leaving. They kept asking me when will I sign, schmucks.

I left to 'improve' myself...back in school, hurae. And, strategically selling my time...oh, the freedom!

Shoosh,

Ryst

[Ryst Helmut]

Bump.