Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BallsMcGrady]

I was thinking about leaving my hagwon job (er, breaking my contract). I won't bore you with the details, but the job just isn't working out/not what I expected/not what I was promised/my boss is a snake/etc. According to my contract, I am required to pay my company for airfare and the temporary hotel they gave me if I am fired or quit within the first six months of employment (about 1.5 million won). However, I recently discovered that my boss pockets some of the money that I pay for rent every month. I don't know if that is illegal, but it is certainly unethical. Thats the story. Here are the questions.

If I give notice of quitting they will probably withhold my entire final check (more than what I contractually owe them) by inventing some other fees and charges. They have done it before with others. But I'm worried about just leaving because I don't know if this sort of debt can follow me back to Canada. Can I get into any legal trouble (criminal or civil) for just leaving without paying them my contractual debts? Can it damage my credit or result in my Canadian wages being garnished? I know this course is morally ambiguous (scamming my boss who is scamming me), but I am most worried about the legal issues.

Possibly related to this, somebody mentioned on this website that if you are going to abandon your contract you should leave your alien registration card with Korean immigration at the airport on your way out of the country. They did not say why.So Why do I need to do this?

So sorry for the length and topic, you guys must get a million of these questions. Im just in a bad situation and dont know what to do........

[mountainous]

sounds like a familiar story (who recruited you?), sorry to hear.

I am not sure which credit reporting agencies are in Canada in addition to EQUIFAX. In order for EQUIFAX to put something on your credit report, it must have been furnished by a SUBSCRIBER to Equifax. This costs money to subscribe to Equifax. I would bet 1,000,000 to 1 or more that a korean hakwon does not subscribe to Equifax, no way.

I don't think anything would follow you back to Canada, nor would you necessarily be "free" to come back to Korea...you might be. I experienced a similar situation to yours, don't sweat it, there is something better for you around the corner. good luck

[BallsMcGrady]

[ttompatz]

If you pull a runner, it won't follow you back home.

There will be no financial repercussions and/or damage to your credit rating at home.

If you wait until your visa expires there probably won't be any repercussions here either and you will be free to return on a new work visa if that is your inclination.

If you run you MAY have difficulty getting a new job here BEFORE the end of your current visa.

Wait till payday, pack your bags and catch a plane to your favorite beach or home if that is your preference.

Your boss will figure it out soon enough that you have quit when you don't show up for work on monday morning.

[GB]

Similar same situation as me.

I quit, my contract said I had to pay back money for flights etc...I told my boss I wouldn't pay it due to the way money was taken from me illegally. End of story.

[BallsMcGrady]

[ttompatz]

[ED209]

Don't forget to sell all the furniture