Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HarryMorgan]

Thanks for the replies.

@Mr. Lee's Monkey
I completely understand what you're saying but you kind of cherry picked that quote out of a long list of legitimate concerns I had, which included the possibility of me making a run in order to find something legal in a month or two. Part of the reason I'm in this situation is because the teacher before me had no clue that the school was doing anything illegal, although I accept the totality of the blame. And the most difficult question for me to answer is whether I will be fired if I push the director to comply with the law in full. If they won't, I'll have to run or get the most I can out of the deal.

@SeoulNate
Thanks for the good information, that helps put things in better perspective. I'm from the US so I should receive the pension. I've only been here a month so the back pay would be negligible IF they are even willing to legalize my employment. 70k won more per month is hardly a big gain (a little more than my monthly phone costs), and as you said, the risk vs reward in terms of what I have to lose health care wise is not in my favor. I'm relatively young and mostly healthy but who is to say I won't be plowed down by a motorcycle driving on the sidewalk tomorrow.

I'm going to tell the director that I would prefer to be legalized but I'm questioning whether I really have a choice in this matter. As meangradin talked about (though this is a big chain hagwon) the director and the school have far more to lose with that scenario.

What is the protocol for an employee pushing back and contacting the pension/medical offices, or possibly asking for considerably more (like a new apartment, for example), if they aren't willing to go that route? Are they likely to look to replace me, and how does the 30 days notice play into that for, err, independent contractors vs legal employees? Thanks for the input, if anyone has any more please don't hesitate.

[TheUrbanMyth]

keep in mind that until you have been at that job for six months...they do not have to give you 30 days notice. They could legally fire you tomorrow and kick you out of the apartment.