Korean Job Discussion Forums

The Hierophant · Joined: 13 Sep 2005

Hi there.

It seems my boss is really struggling to pay the bills. He says my apartment is 'too expensive', so he is going to put me into a cheaper one in a different area. Is this a common occurance? I'm 7 months into my contract.

Also, he had me illegally working at another hagwon for the first five months of my contract. After I clued onto the fact that it was illegal I refused to do it any longer (I was a total newbie, it's been a steep learning curve Wink

). Now it seems his wallet is taking a hit from my refusing to work illegally.

He seems to be stressing out, and is cutting corners wherever possible. He also want me to find a replacement teacher for when my contract finishes (for free of course). He's even driven me across town to 'have a conversation' with the Canadian wife of another Hagwon director he knows to see if we can find a new teacher for next year. He says he can't afford to pay a recruiter. I'm a little edgy as to whether my neck may be on the chopping block. Sound dodgy?

I've been saving my pennies these past months, so I have enough to bail out if need be.

What do you guys think about all of this?

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Danger Will Robinson, Danger!

Of course the biggest question to ask you is how are is the student enrolment at your place? If you see numbers depleting then you have a problem.

The Hierophant · Joined: 13 Sep 2005

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

He could have just taken you to immigration and asked them to add the other hagwon on to your visa. How many hagwons was it anyway? But I suppose if he couldn't figure this out then it's no wonder his golden goose ain't laying any eggs.

The Hierophant · Joined: 13 Sep 2005

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

I don't know how common it is, but it happened to me.

I was first put up in a two bedroom place and was waiting for my roomie to arrive when I was called in to the office at the end of the first week of work. In wretched English, the boss asked if I could move. Not wanting to share an apartment, I said, "Yes. When?" He said, "Tonight". So after work I went home and threw everything back into the suitcases and was hauled to a shoe box to live in. It was better than sharing with a stranger who turned out to be mildly dysfunctional.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

jmbran11 · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: U.S.

Three of the teachers at my company have had to move during their contracts because the owner of the apartment sold the apartment. As far as I know, it wasn't to save money specifically.

Your contract probably doesn't specify details of your apartment, so I would say you'll probably have to go, unless you want a stand-off about it. I don't think you need to bail, as long as you're still getting paid on time. It's worth sticking it out for 5 months for your benefits, but I have doubts as to whether you'll get them.

As for finding a new teacher, how did he get you? You might agree to help do it in return for something, or even to guarantee that you'll get your benefits at the end. After all, if he screws you over, then you can tell the new teacher who would never start the job . . . Now, of course, that's not considering the ethics of hooking up another newbie with this gig that doesn't seem to be so delightful for you.

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

babtangee · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:17 am Post subject:

BadPegge · Joined: 07 Sep 2006

At the infamous LCI/ASTA Kids' Club in Dongchoon-Dong, Incheon, I had 3 (count 'em) THREE different apartments, all of which sucked. I'd forgotten about this. When I first arrived, I spent I think 2 days in one apartment, because they didn't want the departing teacher, into whose 3 bdrm I was supposed to live, to infect me with his "bad" attitude. Should have known right then and there, but that's another story. Then I had a decent bedroom with an en suite bathroom for a month, but pretty much had to move into the infamous closet room, which had been abandoned by a runner and was filthy... This room had a bed and a wardrobe, because that was all that would fit in it... And this was in August... OMG it was miserable. Then I got a single, which was a hole. Bathroom opened onto the hallway and was freezing cold all Winter...
Ugh, another Kids Club memory... make it go away!
Perhaps I will cross-post...

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

I was forceably moved to another apartment after 16 months. I stalled for ages, but in the end I got moved . I specifically asked for an apartment that was quiet. So my school moved me to an apartment over 2 recycling dumps and a kids playground. In the hot months I was woken up every morning at 6am by pensioners breaking bottles/rattling cans etc.
My Director just said, I didn't think about that. Thanks Bud, that 1 (only 1) of the reasons I'm leaving in 2 weeks and you're going to be outa pocket.,