Korean Job Discussion Forums

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

I have a great job and a kind and honest boss. Everything in my apartment is brand new, so is my academy. It's beautiful. I love all the people I work with, but it's not gonna last.

We had an open house today. After sending out 20,000 fliers, there were a total of 15 ajummas that showed up. Afterwards, the mood was dour. I've been working there for a month and a half. I got paid on time two weeks ago, but I'm starting to wonder about the next pay checks. I hate to run because my boss is great. Seems like he doesn't have very good business sense though. He is pissing away his money and admitted to some of his foolish mistakes.

My plan is to wait til the next payday and see what happens. I anticipate a serious conversation between us in the next few weeks. I just hope I get that next paycheck.

It's a real sad story. He's got a great family that's become like a second family for me here. I worry about what will happen to them when the shit hits the fan.

I'm pretty sure that I'm gonna end up quitting and getting a letter of release. I've already done a year here and gone through all the cbc and medical tests already. That was really no biggy. Doing the visa run was the biggest hassle.

Any suggestions?

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

I suggest you ask for a raise.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

Don't quit...he will probably see that as just another coffin nail. But I would have a frank, and friendly, and pleasant conversation with him about whether he can afford you, and whether it would be "easier" for him if he released you, so that he could try to rebuild the school "without the expense" of a foreign teacher etc. etc. I would do this whether you get paid or not on your next pay day...don't let it go another month just because you get paid.

Position yourself on his side, that you want to "help" - that's the way to get a letter of release and glowing recommendations. Quitting is not.

Also, try to come up with some ideas on how he could get more students... can you help prepare students for something special (a trip to the US, middle school application, tests, etc.) Something he could advertise or use word of mouth with existing students and their families?

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I know the hagwon scene pretty well. I have been in that situation. Starting any business is risky, in Korea and abroad. It is especially risky opening a hagwon. There is a fine balancing act trying to provide a good education system and making a profit at the same time.

That being said, the director being nice to you may well have been sincere in all regards, however, when things start to go south, they tend not to be so nice. You might (and I mean might) be asked to do unpaid overtime or any classes he thinks that will bring in a few bucks and help put him in the black. If he knows he is going out of business I would not expect too many problems.

As the above person said, be polite and understanding when you talk to him. Try not to pinch nerves. All I can advise you to do is to make sure you have a conversation on or soon after your next pay day. Start looking for work now. Even if he can't pay you in full, you still have a roof over your head and Internet.

you never know. 15 people may have turned up today, but 10 more next week and ten more the week after does happen here. he may have been expecting a windfall and a big surge in profits. He may still be in a solid financially.

Anyways, best of luck.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

The advertising buget is spent. He told me straight up, "We don't don't have any more money." We have only 3 students between two native teachers (making 2. Cool

, three Korean teachers, and some additional staff. It's been that way for 2 months. This place is tanking so hard, I can hear the hull of the ship buckle under the weight of this guy's massive debt.

Abandon ship! Abandon ship!

I have an unused ticket home. If I drop a hundred bucks, I can change the date on it and bail with limited loss. I'm hedging against future losses. I'm bailing, either in a month or a couple months. There's just no possible way this guy is gonna float the boat. We need a miracle, seriously.

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

Signed a contract for one year, that should be enough. Why should your employers problems be yours? You signed for a year then give them a year. I would never worry about your employers problems. It's none of your bizzness. He is obligated by contract to pay you so much per month.

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Why come asking for help....

Then ignore it and say what you had already planned to do.

Why not just say "My Academy is Tanking and this is what I am going to do"

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

I don't want to be one of those people who says, "I was supposed to get paid a few weeks ago, now the boss says he doesn't have any money and he's closing the academy........"

Have you heard any stories like that before? It's one thing when the boss is scamming you. It's another when he's a nice guy who can't run a successful business and manage his money.

Who wants to end up short 2 months pay? Guess what? 5 grand is still a lot of money to me.