Korean Job Discussion Forums

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

No doubt, walk away.

Ignore those that question an ethical "you signed a contract" stuff.

Did yr contract even hint that monies would be withheld for a security deposit? I'll bet it didn't. And that's just for starters.

However, you should consider that the release letter may not be easily forthcoming. Also, the next job you take in Korea (I'm assuming) might as well be not so great. And then you'll feel the onus is on you , even though it might very easily be two duds in a row.

You could try changing yr psychological approach, in order to relax between sessions. The schedule's tough, but doable, if you're getting the right bucks.

I think you should confide to yr director, that you 're feeling a lot of stress, but that you're determined. That you came to Korea for the money and the deposit thing is rankling you. This should precipitate a crisis with you coming up trumps.

margaret · Joined: 14 Oct 2003

You are fullfilling your contract by giving notice and repaying airfare. There's no reason to make yourself unhappy to fullfill it by staying for the full year. Will you be looking for another job in Korea?
Margaret

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

inkoreaforgood · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Inchon

pegpig · Joined: 10 May 2005

inkoreaforgood · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Inchon

pegpig · Joined: 10 May 2005

inkoreaforgood · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Inchon

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

For the legality of deposits visit EFL law and read up on illegal business practices in Korea

pegpig · Joined: 10 May 2005

livinginkorea · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Location: Korea, South of the border

I would walk away. Give them the notice and wash your hands of it. Maybe it might scare the management into changing your schedule? Either way you are better off.

I know exactly how you feel. It feels like you are working 24/7 and even working on Saturday is crazy. I used to work 50 hours a week and it drove me crazy. Got up at 6 am and finished my class at 10 pm. I soon released that eventhough I was making more money I was constantly tired and have very little free time. I began to get cranky in class and basically took it out on everybody around me (incl. the bosses).

Eventually I walked out because of that and other reasons and I have been so happy since. It's the quality not quantity of life that you have here that ensures your sanity!!

Good luck!!

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

I agree that split-shifts suck. Then again, I also believe that people who sign contracts, or agree to split shifts have put themselves in that position. People on this board constantly warn others against having split shifts.

I went back and read the OP's work hours. It looks like this:

morning: 90 min (1.5 hours)
afternoon: 240 min (4 hours)

That's a total of 5 1/2 hours a day, teaching. Really, for a split shift, that's not too bad.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Bottom line, I suppose, is if you are happy or not working there? It sounds like not. If you think you can do better, it may be worth trying to do so.

andrew · Joined: 30 Jan 2003

.....

plokiju · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

The sad thing is that I did know about the website before I signed. I'd scanned it a little when I'd heard it was going to be a Wonderland school. I didn't think that much of it though since it was a chain school and all. Then I got my contract and prayed that it wasn't the exact same school. But no, exact same school.

I figured though that the management was different and really their story wasn't all that horrific. It's definitely not as bad now as it was for them. I get paid on time and don't ever have to fight for wages. The other teachers are alright. There are adequate materials, etc. I also thought that if it was really as bad as what was written I could just leave. I actually emailed the girl and asked if she ended up making any money. I didn't want to have a horrible experience and come out losing money. I also spoke to one of the current teachers. She told me that I'd be working until 8 maybe once or twice a week. She'd based this on her schedule of course and the boss was behind her the whole time so she wasn't as honest as she could have been about other things. The only thing it said in my contract about the schedule was 110 teaching hours and I couldn't be guaranteed of a schedule of my choosing. Very vague. Nothing about split shifts and it doesn't sound that bad on paper really. Anyways, I just decided to jump headfirst. I probably shouldn't have signed the first contract I was offered and I should've asked better questions. Live and learn, I guess.

So here's the update. I talked to my boss and mentioned that I wanted to resign. He told me he realized my schedule wasn't great but in 2-3 months they were going to reshuffle some things. It didn't make me feel much better. He even told me to endure. Maybe a new location will change things. However, if I stay another month, until the end of September (resign mid-August instead), I don't need to repay the airfare. It's tolerable enough that I can last another 30 days to save $1000+. I think a lot of it really was sleep deprivation. I was seriously only sleeping 4 hours max a night. If I tried to sleep in, I would sleep for about 6. I'm sure I was partially insane for a lot of that time. It's been much better since it's cooled down. If it starts to heat up though, I'm just going to make it an ultimatum. AC or I walk, even if I still had to endure the heat wave. I have felt the whole balance of power shift though. Instead of me feeling like I needed to prove myself as a teacher, now I feel like they are trying to make me feel comfortable. My boss even drove me home yesterday and apologized about my schedule. I feel less pressure.

I've been bringing my iPod to work with me the past few days. It's nice to have that little escape. It makes the days and breaks a bit more bearable. I just wonder how long it will be before I make my second attempt.