Korean Job Discussion Forums

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

Today bosswoman wanted me to work. I explained to her I was unable to work since Korean Immigration Officials have not issued me an E-2 Visa, and that I wasn't allowed to work while after Korean Immigration Officials just Issued me a Tourist Visa. She insisted 5 or 6 more times and I responded with, "No, because Immigration will deport me, fine me, and interrogate me!" She walked off pretty pissed off as I had expected. She approached me again. She said "you have classes to teach!" My response, "No." As expected, one of the Korean Teachers approached me. He attempted to convince me to work the classes. My response, "No!" Other teachers gave me dirty looks. She was on the phone all day, "E2 Visa blah blah Tourist Visa Visa." Bosswoman did receive several phone calls, and shut the door on me. She's completely ignoring me after a day of phone calls and my standing firm. Take a stand against your employers when you have legitimate reasons to do so.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Good for you!

Its stupid that they expect you to risk your neck just so they can slam a white face into a classroom and make money.

There is no reason they cant wait for you to get your E2 visa....NONE whatsoever!

Good luck!

You should try to tell them that you dont want to break Korean laws....as its most likely in your contract that if you break the laws in Korea you can be fired immediately....while they may not want to respect their countries laws you do Wink

captain planet · Joined: 18 Jul 2006

you're the first person i've ever heard of doing that. most people either get their visas processed in their home countries or come over here and work while they're waiting for it to happen. you're not going to get deported.
there are plenty of things you may need to take a stand about, but this is kind of stupid.

Missile Command Kid · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

If we all did this, it might force employers to start planning ahead JUST A LITTLE BIT. I'm not naive enough to think we can change the whole culture, but it would put some pressure on bosses to pressure the government to improve the E-2 visa system.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:46 pm Post subject:

Bravo!

Set your own limits about what is acceptable and unacceptable and don't cross the line. I do that with disruptive behaviour in the classroom and getting paid late.

btw, that is the most original thread title I've ever seen at Dave's, so I had to click the thread for interest's sake, and sure enough, something other than the staid commonplace. Thanks.

captain planet · Joined: 18 Jul 2006

meh. atypical means not typical, btw.

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

It's noble of the OP. Still, it seems to be a silly kind of nobility. The risk of you being deported is almost identically zero, and now you've started off on the wrong foot with your employer.

But I do agree that if everyon did this, it would force employers to think ahead and not take the foreign staff for granted.

So how's that for wishy-washy?

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Ha, ha! Power to the people! Yah!

Maybe you had your reasons for doing this. Sounds to me like she might've deserved this because of something. How is she as a boss so far? Bossy? Arrogant? You would've been fine teaching, but I can understand where you're coming from. They should get off their arses and send you on your visa run.

While doing such things can make the situation uncomfortable, it sets a precedence and they eventually learn not to fuk with you. Wake up calls are best done early than late.

Thumbs up!

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

My first job here, I worked about a week before they got my visa process under way. I the second job I worked about 2 weeks........

Last year I worked 3 months and they kept insisting that it was immigration that was causing the delay.

Why were they doing this? Because they were unable to pay me and by keeping me "illegal" they could screw with my wages and there was jack that I could do about it.

I will never start without a visa in hand again. It is too great a risk.

If an employer doesn't understand even this much, then it really isn't worth "getting off on the right foot" with them.

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Its your/our responsibility to be kosher,the same as it is for the employer to have all the paper work done for their foreign employee before they start.

Yesanman · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: Chungnam

Ok I understand the OP's position and why he/she refused but...

You've just set yourself up for a year of crap. You've destroyed the
relationship with your employer. Now she will make your life miserable for the next 12 months. You can forget about getting her to agree to anything you ask. Plus you've humiliated her in front of the other teachers. She will get her revenge.

I am speaking from experience on this. I did pretty much the same thing and it came back to bite me on the butt. When I needed a favour my boss refused and I know it was because I refused a favour for him.

My advice; go back tomorrow and say Ok I'll work 2 hours but not all day. Try to find a compromise position.