Korean Job Discussion Forums

ontheway · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject:

Grotto,

While you are correct that the boss of this hogwan is being a shit and doesn't deserve the consideration of the OP, we should consider the OP's personal situation. It might be better in her case for her not to do a runner but to work through her problems where she is or to make a smooth transition to a new job.

For the well-being of this OP, a midnight run is not a good option.

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

I have to agree that the Op should do whatever she can to maximize her own personal benefit in the outcome. The contract states that if she wishes to quit early, she forfeits her airfare money.

It is possible for this contract to be legal in Korea, I guess, so long as the boss has a means for taking the airfare money and ensuring she also has a return flight home. Obviously, the only way the boss can do this would be to require her to work long enough after her signal of intent to quit to pay for both airfares. So, he will probably demand she work 3 weeks or so... convenient for him, too, because that gives him time to find a new teacher.

So, if the OP signals to the boss about her intent to quit, she will essentially be working 3 weeks for nothing. If she truly doesnt have a home to return to, she will have no money when she gets to where ever it is she is going.

If it were me in the situation as she decribed it -- the boss is making unreasonable demands and fullfilling promises -- and the effect of that situation left unresolved would be worse than just doing a midnight run, I would not hesitate to just leave.

If you decide to do the midnight run, do it very shortly after you get paid and do it secretively.

Believe it or not, there are other countries out there with people looking for English teachers. In Japan, you can try to get on with a company that staffs English teachers in the public schools... in fact, those places are hiring in bulk at the very moment. (go to Japan forum and look at RCS recruiting, for example). Or you could go to many places in China or Taiwan.... I dont really think not being allowed to come back to work in Korea is such a curse anyway... If you stayed here too long, you might become like one of the annoying apologists on this website who has invested so much in it for little dividends...