Korean Job Discussion Forums

branbuddy · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Hi everyone!

I need some advice.

I have accepted and signed a contract (two-year) with a university here in Seoul. The pay is not great..really, not that great. The vacation is great. The people seem nice there.

After signing this contract (thinking I would get no other offers, as this is my first uni job and I haven't an MA) another uni has offered me a position with them that pays quite a bit more, same vacation and same distance away.

I am a bit stressed because I want to break the two-week old contract for the better job. (current uni doesn't start until March)

I feel bad as they are nice but I would really like the bigger paycheck. Am I able to break the contract as I don't even start until March, legally? Has anyone had experience in this situation?

Any helpful advice is appreciated!!! Thanks!

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Man, you are about to get a load of responses about your personality, ignorance of the visa laws and how people like you give foreigners a bad name.

I'll state some points upfront without the name-calling.

1. You signed the contract despite it's not-so-great pay. You should honor the contract.

2. You can't just quit on an E-2 (I'm assuming that's what you are on) and change jobs. You'll most likely have to let the E-2 visa run out unless you get a letter of release. Why would the uni give you a LOR if you are walking out on them.

3. You are lucky to have a uni job on a BA. Honor the contract.

Ut videam · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

branbuddy,

Without getting into whether you should break the contract...

Do you know whether the university you signed with has submitted your visa paperwork to Immigration yet? If they have, you're probably stuck. That might not be such a bad thing, by the way, because if your paperwork is already in the pipeline you're not subject to the new E-2 regulations.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Yes, UT videam, has a good point. Is the visa secure yet?

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

You might want to check out other work conditions as well. For example a poorly paid uni job can quickly turn into a lucrative one if there is decently-paid overtime available. How is the scheduling arranged? If the poorer paid one is 4 days a week with a block shift you'll have lots of time to earn money outside your main job. How's the working environment? I wouldn't take a $200 a month pay rise to be put in a department full of a$$holes or with an overbearing manager type.

branbuddy · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Thanks for the responses.

No, I didn't write in to be criticized but I supposed somebody would want to get a stab in. It's okay, I was expecting it.

I was just curious if it could be done legally...not morally. I was just thinking, "Yes, I did sign a contract, but I'm not bound to them like a slave. I should have the right to change my mind. I know it's not ideal but if I can better my situation I should be able to do that. "

Anyway, it doesn't matter now as I've decided not to say anything and stick with the first university. I was just curious...

By the way, they haven't started on the visa papers yet.

Thanks again for the friendly advice.