Korean Job Discussion Forums

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

You keep going on with your story, which is interesting...but you still haven't answered some important questions. I have to say that your boss sounds like a crazy nut case for chasing you around that way. But we still don't know his exact reasons for treating you like this. Perhaps it was reasonable for him to be upset by your actions.

I have to tell you that I worked in the media in the past. If you called me with this story and presented it to me with this many holes, I wouldn't even think of putting you on the air. For me, your credibility is still an issue.

You may have an interesting story to tell. But all the pieces still aren't there for me. Please answer these questions:

1/ What were your exact reasons for picketing?

2/ What did your picket sign say?

3/ When did you picket? Was it before or after you were fired?

4/ Who saw you picketing? (eg. students, mothers?) How many students did they lose as a result?

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

So your writing's not the greatest - who cares? Anyone can get the gist of your story and it's very interesting. I do hope you end up collecting the full amount. Did you pay him the 5.0m?

What was the Labour Board hearing like and how did you file suit? I'm thinking of filing a complaint on behalf of a friend who was gone back to England and has not received his apartment deposit, and would love to know more details.

BYW, what have you been doing in the 18 months between getting fired and now?

At any rate, congratulations on finally sort of winning your long struggle against yet another wongjongnim-babo.

buymybook · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Location: Telluride

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

Thanks. That clears things up for me. It wasn't clear to me whether you picketed before or after being fired. I was just wondering if it was one of the reasons for your dismissal.

Good on you for fighting them. I think you went a little far with the picketing though. From what I've heard Koreans view defamation of character much more seriously than we might in North America. I think that explains your boss's odd behaviour and the reason why he fought you for the sign. I'm not saying he's right for doing that. I think you both could have handled things a little better.

As for defamation of character. This is also something that is taken much more seriously in North America than you might think. As a journalist, I had to make sure every story I wrote would stand up to a libel suit. If I had any doubts at all, I sent it to a lawyer. Basically to protect yourself from libel you have to make sure that everything you say is truthful and can be backed up with facts. As a journalist, that means checking and double checking your sources and facts and attributing them properly. Some of us get sued. Most of the time whoever sues us loses because we know the law pretty well before we write a story.

This law doesn't just apply to people in the media. Basically when you created that sign, you were presenting information for public consumption. So the laws apply to you just the same as they do to me as a journalist. The trouble is, the average Joe doesn't know media law as well as a reporter would. So they get in trouble, like you did.

So that's what your trouble was here...the picketing with information that didn't stand up in court. I guess that's a warning to others who might think of doing the same thing.

Good luck getting your money.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Good on you if you lost them students. I hope you did. At my first job I had a list of all the students' numbers and if they had given me serious problems I just would have called all the parents from Canada with my Canadian friend's K-wife telling them what a terrible academy it was (which was true), as I pursued employment in another country.

buymybook · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Location: Telluride

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

I reckon you ARE a good teacher. You sound sincere. I just hope you reach June and realise things ain't so bad because you will most probably be handed your severence and airfare. Just to make sure spend a month or two longer in the country and let your employer know that you will 'be around.'
Let's remember this guy so come June if he has problems to talk first before going down the route of previous.
If it turns out poorly we could arrange more solid representation; I have had an employment lawyer settle a case for me before. Although it was because the school went bankrupt similar issues will apply. When you have a lawyer working for you it also takes all the heat off you. They have to deal with the buggers. I'd go down that road rather than take to the streets, by yourself, as it were.

Save a bit for a rainy day, and take care. Better things will come, as you know.