Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bijjy]

Does anyone have experience with breaking a contract? I've been here a month, have worked hard, the director likes me and my friend/roommate I came here with. The school is pretty reputable and trustworthy in comparison to other schools in Korea. However, I've been sick all the time, this little town is isolating, I feel overworked, and my friend S. may have a better paying job in Seoul for me.

If I break my contract though, I have to:

-pay my $1000 airfare here
-pay about $1000 for the recruiting fee (is this normal? my other friend B. is supposed to get half the recruiting fee for referring us after our contract ends, so perhaps we should only have to pay $500 each)
-possibly pay for airfare to Fukoka and back for a Visa run - $1000?
-possibly pay to stay in Japan for a few days to sightsee - $500
-feel bad about abandoning the kids, who have to deal with many teacher changes as is

In the end I could be paying $4000+ to break my contract early, when I haven't even gotten my first full paycheque yet. From others who've experienced this.. is it worth it? Should I move to Seoul for the culture, arts, better social experience and increased 500,000 W month in pay considering I don't yet know much about the new job offer (will research it thoroughly if they email me back) and considering I have to pay about $4000? Will I be able to obtain a new working Visa on the basis that I simply found a better paying job?

ps. my director *did* screw me over slightly by lowering my pay from 1.95 mill to 1.9 mill won. She changed my contract by tearing out the renumeration page and stapling in a new one, and sending it to immigration, and telling me later about it. It was an honest mistake because there was miscommunication between the director and human resources lady, and yet the director *did* arbitrarily change my contract after i signed it, without having me re-sign. so i feel a little less guilty about leaving.

[fidel]

It will cost you a not so insignificant sum of money to break your contract this early on, and there is no guarantee that you'll be able to get another visa (there are mixed reports whether you need a letter of release. I've had friends who haven't and others who did).

You're probably experiencing some culture shock and homesickness. My advice is to stick it out until the 6 month mark and re-evaluate then.

Seoul, culture and arts You'll be better off purchasing a car and using it to cruise in the weekend to wherever the roads take you. It's also unlikely that moving to Seoul will alleviate your illnesses, and will probably have the opposite effect. Haven't you heard of the suffocating smog that blankets this filthy metropolis!

[joe_doufu]

When your employer does something questionable or just plain dishonest, you have to say something right then and there. If you agree to let it slide, then come back a month later and try to use it as the basis for breaking your contract - YOU are the wishy-washy one. If you break your contract you'd better use current reasons to justify it. Also consider the question, would you really enjoy Seoul any more than your current city? If you really can't stand Korea, maybe you should just "run" to Taiwan or Japan.

[Grotto]

I take it you didnt initial every page of the contract?

Standard OP. If you feel that she has acted illegally go to the labour board and file a grievance...if they support that she breached the contract(altered it after you signed it) you shouldnt have to pay her anything.

[Summer Wine]

[rvintage]

Breaking you contract will cost you a lot of money. What exactly does it say in your contract about breaking it? In most cases, if you break your contract this early then the recruiter will give their client a free service and provide another teacher, but your boss will still want that money anyway. It's basically a bribe to get your release letter.

You will definitely have to pay for your plane ticket, but you shouldn't have to make a visa run if you have a release letter, immigration can just change your visa over to your next school(I did this so it is possible). So, maybe your new employer will pay for your airfare, although that is unlikely even if you don't go to Japan.

My first job was in the middle of nowhere as well and it drove me nuts for five months until I had to quit for my own sanity. It cost me my plane ticket, half a recruiters fee, and various other charges for visas and bullshit. I think it was a small price to pay for being happy.

Just make sure you have enough money to get you through. If you haven't got your first paycheck, then prepare to be broke for a while. Your employer will likely take just about every penny of any paycheck you have coming. I wouldn't give notice until you have your first paycheck in your hand. Then be prepared for the uncomfortable work enviornment until you leave.

Just be prepared, you think you are unhappy now, most likely you will be more miserable than you ever thought possible when you give notice. My director was a nice guy until I gave notice, then all hell broke loose. But now I have a great job, at a great school working with other great people for great money and all that just seems like a bad dream now.

Good Luck