Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hagwon Muppet]

OK, this has probably been gone over a few times (sorry if I'm boring you) but i'm weighing up the pros and cons of resigning vs running right now.

I have to leave the country in a few months and I'd like to be able to come back but I have no plans to return to teach. If I was returning in the next 2 years I'd be coming as a tourist not on an e-2 but after that who knows?

Anyway, I'm weighing up the pros and cons of things now. As far as I can see there are no real cons to running except you cant get another e2 whilst your current one is valid. Correct??????

As for resigning, it should be fine but I dont trust bosses and since I haven't completed 6 months I think I have little protection. Also the contract suggests I would have to compensate the school if I leave within 6 months (at least for my visa run to Osaka)

However, my situation dictates that my running date (after pay day) would be a pretty poor date to leave. I think I'd be better off working till I NEED to leave, by giving notice, then going. Even with deductions I'd end up with a bit more in my pocket and have got another few weeks in Korea rent free. I'm in no hurry to leave really as I like it here and want to stay as long as possible.

So have I missed anything obvious or even hidden risks that I should consider. As it stands I think I should give my notice and go but I'm a bit worried I will end up short-changing myself.

[Korea Newfie]

[Hagwon Muppet]

"it's people like you who give us foreigners a bad name here"

Yeah, that's right its the teachers who turn up every day and do a reasonably good job who give everyone a bad name. Thats it exactly. Right on the button.

Circumstances dictate I HAVE to leave - its not a choice. Nothing to do with not hacking it or hating Korea or anything of the sort.

By protection I mean actually being protected during my notice period, not being fired willy-nilly and not working the time only to find that my salary suddenly doesnt show on the last day.

I'm not trying to get out of anything. I signed a contract with a notice period. I have obligations and so do the school. I'm happy to meet my end of the bargain however I'm not 100% sure the school will. As I understand it since I have worked less than 6 months I have no protection against the school deciding to fire me the day I hand in my notice (6 weeks) leaving me up the creek. Nor do I have much comeback if they fail to pay me since I won't be in country (out of sight out of Labour Board's mind I would imagine.

Hence I have to weigh up the risks and returns of both options. I have no real qualms about screwing the school as they would probably screw me over however I would feel bad for the kids sakes and I'd rather go about things honestly.

If this was my home country I would have no qualms about handing in my notice and leaving (a contract is a contract not a prison sentence) so why should I have qualms in Korea? The difference is that in my home country I know I would get what I am owed - here I can't be certain.

Personally I don't think my employer considers MY welfare in his decisions so why should I consider THEIR welfare in mine? Also, I have been stung before simply by being honest and 'trusting' an employer.

I don't even think you read my post properly so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say your reply was merely ill-thought-out. If you read and understood my first post then your answer was rude and unhelpful.

As I said, I'm prepared to meet my contractual requirements (even though they are pretty open to interpretation), I have no interest in obtaining anything I'm not entitled to, I'll pay my bills, leave the flat clean and tidy, I don't want my return ticket or severance or anything of the sort.

All I want is to work my notice, get my salary less APPROPRIATE deductions and go without bother.

Unfortunately there is no way of finding out if this will happen until its too late to go back. At least if I run then I am doing so on MY terms.

[William Beckerson]

If you were at a crappy job where your boss is trying to bone you, I'd reccommend doing the run.

But you gave no indication that you're at a bad school. You just need to go home, right? Then be a man and resign.

[bap]

i'm in a very similar situation right now except i don't have to leave, i want to (you can read my other posts). and i'm not sure if my director will pay me my last months salary either. it's a toughie. on one hand i'd like to just get my pay and run but on the other hand i'd hate to see what would happen to my coworkers if i ran and i don't really want to screw my boss over too much.
but i really don't trust him so i'm unsure how to go about everything.
i'm sorry you're in such a tight spot - i know what it's like.

[Hagwon Muppet]

Yeah bap, I actually think its a pretty interesting situation to consider.

Normally any arrangement between two people is based on trust. However in a business situation there cannot always be TRUST between two parties hence why a contract becomes necessary. However when even the enforceability of a contract comes into question (i.e. the legal system cannot or will not interevene) then what are REAL responsibilities of both parties?

[Skippy]

The question is do you TRUST your employeer. Do you have a good relationship? If yes go legit quitting. If no you will have to consider a runner.

What about hassles like late pay? Hassles mean not a good relationship at times. But if they cleared up hassles quickily and without problems your relationship could be ok. Hagwons who cheat and treat you like )*^% do not deserve respect and good treatment.

How many other foreign teachers are there? What will happen to them if you run. Will they have to cover for you? If you are the only teacher you hagwon may be desperate to keep you and in keeping you not play fair.

Did you get hired by a recruiter? If yes you may have to pay back all or some of the recruiters fee back to the school. But if you got hired by the school without a recruiter your school I think should be more fair with you.

These questions are all important when making the decision.

So my advice is if you have an OK relationship go the legit way. If you feel if just saying you are quiting will raise a whole lotta hell - RUN or give them short term notice quitting - buy your ticket, tell them and go.

Skippy the Evil Twin

[Morning Calm]

ROFL

Have any of you tried the "honesty" approach?

If you've been here for a year, you should know enough about the culture that you politely ask your employer to go out to dinner with you, take a friend who speak Korean, soju him up, and spill it out.

Most Koreans accept this truth with open arms and the next day you will be amazed at what they are willing to do for you.