Korean Job Discussion Forums

[genaureliano]

Moving on to part two of my sackedness. The reasons are no longer important. My boss gave me two weeks notice on tuesday the 16th which carries me till the 30th and will allow me to remain in my apartment until the 3rd of June. Today she tells me that I can leave next friday the 26th (how thoughtful) and I can leave my apartment on the 29th, but she will subtract 6 days pay, or a 5th, more or less, which is about 400,000. Yeah?

I calmly explained to her that I would prefer to finish my two weeks notice (that's what it's for, innit?) and receive my full pay because I will need it. I must go to Japan to reenter on a tourist visa. I have to live for some time while I find another job, which will include accomodation after the 3rd. Money I need. Money that I feel I'm entitled to.

After calling me selfish and other personal attacks, she told me that she would pay me the full amount and then she dropped the bomb. She will subtract my incoming flight. Yes, I know it's in the contract, but I hoped, however naively, that seeing as how her business is expanding rapidly (she's hiring three new teachers to handle all the new students that are coming, despite the ones that have quit "because of me" and the bad rumors they are spreading. ) she would forgoe that. As we say in Texas wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first.

Ok. What's going through my mind is the price of the ticket. I flew from Paris to Seoul. The ticket was bought a week before hand. On the ticket it said 3000+ Euros. No, it wasn't first class. I went ahead and did not mention this and asked her how much it was. 700,000. Ok. I'm not going to argue that, but what I want to know is this. If she checks her records, finds out it is 3000 Euros what happens? One, I have no savings. So if she deducts the price of the ticket from my check, you can see that I will have nothing left and still owe her money. I wont have enough money to go to Japan and return on a tourist visa. Is there some law that prohibits an employer from leaving an employee broke in-country? What I reckon is that in a sense I will have to work illegally. Not have to, have to. Well, yes, have to. Credit cards are not an option. Mommy and Daddy are not an option. And unfortunately, money still doesn't grow on trees. Two, can she not issue a LOR because I technically still owe her money? As you can see, the possibility of getting screwed is high. I appreciate any knowledge or suggestions. Thanks.

[Ya-ta Boy]

It sounds to me like you are screwed.

Isn't there something in your contract that says '30 day notice'? If there is, I'd fight for that to be observed. It gives you some time to maneuver. It would give you until the end of June to come up with a new job.

If that isn't an option, I don't know what to recommend.


I once got booted out of the country and ended up teaching in Taiwan, and I'd be happy to pass along that school's address, but I think that boss is still in the big house cuddling with Bubba.

[genaureliano]

No, it's two weeks notice. What I'm really concerned about is being stuck without a dime and possible a balance due. Cheers

[Ya-ta Boy]

Yeah, I think I'd be concerned about that, too.

Wish I had more than a 'Good luck' to offer.

[Qinella]

Your only option might be to teach some privates until you get up some money. They're fairly easy to find. I just turned down a 5-day a week thing yesterday. Are you in Seoul?

Another option would be to figure out how you can steal from her.

Sorry about your bad luck. It's horrible that people act like that.

Q.

[ttompatz]

[genaureliano]

So if I have a LOR and an employer ready to go, I can possibly not have to leave the country? Or I can perhaps bypass the visa process, the transcripts and the waiting time? Thanks alot for y'all advice. Sometimes this place is enough to make a man go mad. Cheers

[tzechuk]

No, you will still need to leave the country for a new visa - but your new employer will cover that for you (he/she should).

If I remember correctly from your first thread, it isn't going to do your boss any good if you kick up a fuss. Whilst you don't really have anything you could use to hold against her, it's not going to do her reputation any good if you go around telling how you were ill-treated by her. So it's best to do as some others have suggest: negotiate with her, tell her to give you your LOR immediately, you will leave on the 26th, let her deduct the week's pay but not the airfare and you will leave the area within 2 or 3 days (after the 26th).

It sucks that it is happening to you.... but I hope everything works out.

For what it's worth, you might like to know that I have a friend with a ponytail and a bearded and he's had no problem finding jobs. So there's hope for you yet.

Good luck.

[braunshade]

She is playing hardball- YOU play hardball back! Simply tell her if she does not give you your earned wages without deducting your airfare then you will WRECK her business....that is tell the students your story......I guarantee she will cave in instantly......she is probably used to foreginers w/o any balls.

Fight! !

[genaureliano]

[daz1979]

Just sleep with her

[lastat06513]

Did you work there longer than 6 months?

If you did, you are NOT entitled to pay for the ticket TO Korea (that is stipulated in the Labor Law)

You might have to contact the local labor office first to find out for sure before storming into her office.
I left my first school in the 10 month of the contract and I didn't have to pay for my ticket.

The good thing about Korea is that you can lose your job in the morning and have another one by the afternoon, though the quality of the conditions would be questionable.

Most schools would either pay for your flight to Japan for the E2 visa run or reimburse you for the airfare after some amount of time working there.

[genaureliano]

I've been here three months.

[lastat06513]

That's the catch .22

You're lucky, in a way, some teachers are liable for the recruiting costs too if the school used a recruiter.

The worst case scenerio would be to have her to write down that you are only liable for the amount she said before. So she can't get more if she asked for it.

[Qinella]