Korean Job Discussion Forums

Catalina · Joined: 11 May 2003 Location: Bella Italia

Hello folks,

Today, on my desk, was a letter from my crazy wajagnim telling me that 30 classroom hours means 30 hours (1 hour = 60 minutes), and that if I wanted to fight about it should go to the court and pay 50% of the lawsuit costs. If I lost then I have to pay all of the costs.

This is regarding the overtime for the summer intensive program we are running right now. When I asked for this overtime (about 350 000W) I was told that it was too expensive. But now they can fight a lawsuit over it Evil or Very Mad

My co-worked just refused to sign a contract that specifically stated that 1 hour = 60 minutes. Apparently the wajagnim thought that the current contract (which is my contract) is unclear and needs to be clarified.

Now, this is the third battle with this hagwon.

The first fight was being duped into teaching kindy. I was told verbally that I would be teaching 2 pm - 8 pm elementary and middle school. I get here and I am teaching a split shift kindy/elementary school. Terrible.

The second battle was a request for a release letter after 4 months here (I was offered a uni position). They refused the release letter and I had to decline the uni post. Mad

During this time the wajagnim cut off the internet, cut off our phonecards, yelled and screamed at us. This lasted about 1 week.

Now this, battle number three - a threatened lawsuit over getting them to enforce the contract. Twisted Evil

I really have just about had it here. I realize that without a release letter I cannot work in Korea until the old work visa expires. That's fine - China here I come!

I am one week shy of my 6 month mark in my contract and will wait until that day passes before I do anything. I have also emailed efl-law to ask for my options here.

And now, what do you think? Is it always like this? Is my director crazy? What coping strategies can you suggest?

Thanks,

Catalina

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

You need to contact the Labor Board. I'm sure EFL Law will suggest it. They are good helpers in such disputes.

Tell your boss you are contacting the Korean Labor Board, and then turn a deaf ear to his threats. You need to get the Labor Board involved in this ASAP. Their job is to work out pay problems like this. I hear they are quite good, and helpful to foriegners. I was also told that the reason they were created was because too many foreigners were getting abused by Hagwons, and it was making Korean business look bad internationally.

Does someone have that Labor Board number?

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

mishlert · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Location: On the 3rd rock from the sun

I agree with the others. You should contact EFL Law, and/or the Labor Board, tell them your situation, and have them inform him of the law.
If worse comes to worse and he fires you, then he has to inform immigration, and give you a letter of release; he can an a%%hole about it, but in order to release you from the contract he has to write, sign and stamp a letter doing so.
By not giving you the letter he has not released you which means that as long as you show up he has to pay you, and he can not throw you out of the apartment.
Do not tell him all this, have somone from EFL Law, or the Labor Board do it. This way he knows you mean business, and he'll know that he has to watch his step legally.

Harvard Material · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

efl-law.com has a proto-type release letter. It is suitable enough for your needs. Print it out, fill in what you need to, and take it to wanjangnim. If he/she refuses to sign it you put the time and date that they refused to sign it. Take it to Immigration (and the Labor office if you can), and explain that you are quitting and why. They can release you from your contract.

Problem gone.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Check the following thread to find out where your nearest Labor Office is
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=6017

Contact EFL-Law through their website or send an email to [email protected]

If you're planning to go to China and don't particularly need that letter of release, I suggest you wait until you hit your six month mark and then hand in your letter of resignation to the school and submit one to immigration as well in case they challenge you about dates in the future.

I really feel for you and remember your previous posts. Hope it all works out for the best!

Catalina · Joined: 11 May 2003 Location: Bella Italia

Thanks for your replies

I have emailed EFL Law with the details and have a contact number for the Labour Board in my city - a friend has had dealings with a person there who speaks English.

I think I need to add a bit more info to my post.....

For you Gord...

After 6 months into the contract it seems UNUSUAL for the wajagnim to change the practice. HE did this after the other foreign teacher refused to re-sign her contract that was the same as my contract, except that it EXPLICITY stated that 1 hour = 60 minutes. So, if it is so clear that 1 hour = 60 minutes why does he need to change the contract. Shocked

The duped about kindy stuff was a learning process. I balked IMMEDIATELY and was promised a teaching assistant, which, after two weeks of waiting and empty promises never materialized. I was then promised the assistance of the assistant director "whenever I needed it", but after another two weeks and her never being around I realized that that would never happen. Then I was promised text books - again, time passed and nothing...by then it was too far into my contract to