Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JeJuJitsu]

I've been 10th month fired. No specific reason, just general "complaining by parents." So I am told a month in advance that my last day would be June 1st. No problems. I go out, find a job making 30% more than the current job. New job is to start June 5th. I am happy, all ready to send my contact and whatnot to the new school, but before I do, check with my current director before going to the post office.

"Now my last day is June 1st, correct?" I ask.
Clown director says "Well, I think-uh I-uh will need you until June 15th. I can not find foreign teacher. Finding teacher is very dippicult. But I think by June 15th maybe for sure I will have find a teacher."
"Well, you fired me. You told me June 1st. I found another job, and it starts on June 5th," I say.
"Tell the other Director that you must stay until June 15th. He will understand," Clown Director says.
I reply, "But you told me I was fired, and June 5th was my last day. I'm not happy."

I walk out of the Director's office. Now what to do? I am trying my best to keep a smile just to get that LOR. I found a great job and don't want to ruin the opportunity, but OTOH my director is really really screwing with me.

Can anyone confirm the possibility of doing a runner, cancelling my visa, going out of country, and then coming back on a tourist visa and then work for the new haggy? Or, do I have to grin and bear it?

I really want to teach this clown a lesson (did I mention that was not given a single day of vacation or sick day in my time here even though I am due 10 on my contract) and get out of my visa/contract so I can start anew.

Also, if I am fired, do I even need a LOR?

[Grotto]

When he fired you, you should have had him take you down to immigration and file the papers to end your ARC on the date in question....or gotten something in writing from him......Hogwan directors are like slimy pimps but with fewer morals!

[antoniothegreat]

i have pretty much no hogwon experience, but could you tell him you agree to do it, get the LOR, then just disappear?

sorry i cant help more. also, is it possible that he is firing you early just to avoid paying the severance pay? i dont know if there is any possible recourse for that.

lastly, do you have a friend that could pretend to apply for the job and agree to start on the 1st, then not sign and bail, teach this guy a lesson?

hell, maybe i can do that...

[JeJuJitsu]

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think I'd turn the problem over to the new boss. Let them work it out.

[Roch]

Sir:

Did you work for Genius Jack in Sin-Jeju City?

Genius Jack told me on the last day of the fifth month of a six months long contract that I was fired on 10 June, 2005 for no coherent reason -and that was just the beginning of their war against me.

Back to the hogwon: Three days before I was canned, the A.D., named Michelle Jin, who has quite the tarty rep at Jenny's Cafe in Sin-Jeju City and at Blue Aguave, the sole Waeguk resto/bar over in Jeju City, told me that my request for a reference letter for a well-paying job with the D.O.D. would be accepted: "Why not? After all, you are our most popular teacher and you have done so many great things for our school."

Anyway, just checkin.'

[Pak Yu Man]

Yep. Get a friend to 'sign on' to your school. Nothing ls legally binding until he/she is sent for their visa run. When nobody shows up...tough shit.

I love the way Koreans will f*ck you up the ass and then want a favor.

[JeJuJitsu]

[captain kirk]

Talk about 'nothing personal'. It's a wonder contracts are made and signed at all sometimes considering the players. Hogwon owner shoots, he scores, in the fastest game on ice! All the world's a stage and we are merely players. But who's pulling the strings, fingering his absent moustache, and speaking Korean quickly into the phone counting his chips? Some damn fine wagukin wrangling that's who! Like a twig in the arms of a mighty stream to the next hagwon.

If your ex-boss explains to the new boss you're leaving early because you were fired for no reason to avoid paying severance, and they both snicker a good laugh over the phone together, do you think history is bound to repeat itself at the next school nine months downriver? I'm no Nostradamus but I'll wager a two month old bag of kimchi, forgotten, at the back of the fridge, all puffed up and ready to pop yes. I just got fired/quit/whatever at month 9.5 so am not trying to be a smart alleck here.

[JeJuJitsu]

[seoulsista]

Did he give you any warnings or a valid reason for firing you. If not you should immediately take a copy of your contract and go down to the labor office with a Korean friend. I believe even if it's not stated in your contract by Korean law you cannot be fired without a valid reason or warnings.

The other information reagarding him trying to pimp you out could only help bolster your claim.

[JeJuJitsu]

[seoulsista]

Yeah a visit to the labor office and a little sand in his gas tank should give him pause.