Korean Job Discussion Forums

citizen erased · Joined: 06 Apr 2008

I have had kind of a rocky relationship with my school (well, mostly just the head teacher) and there have been a few times we thought the contract was going to be broken early. I have said I wanted to leave, they have put up ads to find another teacher. I was starting to think i would just finish the contract because there is only another 4 months but today the head teacher flipped out because my lessons aren't "personal enough" with the kids. I want to teach straight from the book, they want me to relate the lessons more to the kids personal lives. I am not disagreeing that what they are asking for is fair, but at the same time, I am not willing to change how I do things so I said they can find another teacher if they are not happy. They told me they are still looking for a replacement (they have been trying since april).

So, this is my question:

Should I leave now or wait until they actually find someone else? I think that could put me at a disadvantage for two reasons. 1, I lose more accumulated severance and 2 I imagine i will have less notice in terms of finding another job if I dont control the situation and leave when I want.

Finishing the contract is still another possibility but that is obviously not totally within my control. It wouldnt surprise me if I did just stay the 4 months but I would like to have my strategy firmly set before I go forward.

What would you guys do?

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:51 am Post subject:

Wait until they replace you. They have to give you 30 days notice if they are going to fire you.

Tathen · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

Just put in your 30days notice and start searching for another job. Personally, I'd do it simply due to pride. If someone threatened for fire me, and I felt as if I wasn't doing anything that warranted firing, I would be gone in a heartbeat. This is Korea, there are plenty of other jobs.

I'm on an F-2 however, so I don't have quite as much to worry about. If you are on an E-2, then you might want to plan things out more carefully as far as housing, having all your visa documents ready, and a release letter. If you feel like you'll be able to bounce back from quitting quite easily, I'd say go for it. Your employer is in a state of severe denial regarding your value, give him a wake up call.

~Tathen

P.S. Don't forget to have them sign something to make it official that you are quitting! I prefer one of those small lawyer offices, 30,000-60,000won and they deliver a nice official letter of resignation for you.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Look at your contract very carefully. Are you sure you are getting Severance pay? The contract completian bonus is an extra months pay, but you only get that AFTER conpleting your cotnract. Even if you end your contract 1 day early, you don't get that money.

It is up to you. You have to make it clear to them that:

1. You will finish your contract, NOT renew

OR

2. You will leave ASAP and the school will have to worry about finding a replacement.

Any other way and you will be screwing yourself over.

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

I don't know why you'd want to quit.. they're paying you, you get money.. nothing wrong with that! You don't have to change anything, just keep doing what you're doing, and collect the money..

you've only got 4 months to go, that time will fly by.. obviously they're not going to be able to get a new teacher.. (trying since April!!)

if they fire you early, then think about your options with the lawyers and labor board and stuff