Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Provence]

Hello everyone,
I am a first year english teacher working here in South Korea. I love Korea so far and could honestly see myself staying for a couple years. However, I am unhappy with my current hogwan because I feel like it's a constant agrument with my hogwan boss. I have been here two months and I am wondering how or even if I can break my contract with the school and continue working in Korea. I have heard from some other foreign teachers that I could do a visa run to Japan and re-apply for another E-2 visa but I have also heard that since this is my first year, I have to stay for at least 8 months before I can cancel my E-2 visa. Can somone please help me out. Thank you.

[buymybook]

If you don't wait until the 8th month(or whenever) you will have to go through the entire process again which means getting a criminal record check/apostile etc...Including leaving the country on a visa run.

What did you do/say to mess things up already? Come on, you must've done/said something they didn't like.

I will add...

Make sure you have a full set of documents Criminal Record Check(CRC), diploma, transcripts, etc... to apply for a new visa before you do quit.

1. Get paid, if you aren't paid go to the Labor Ministry nearest you call 1350 from a land phone and speak with an English speaking Representative, have your ARC or Passport number ready and file a complaint for non-payment of salary money owed.
2. Go/Move to a new residence (yeogwan, goshiwon, etc..., which is a very small room for about 250-300 thousand Won
3. Go to immigration and tell them that you quit and get an exit order at the same time.
4. Find a new job before your exit order expires. You will have 14 or possibly 30 days leave. Ask Immigration for 30 days.
5. Do your visa run and come back to your new job on your new visa.

[Provence]

Thank you for replying. Honestly the contract was broken the second I landed. They stated I would have a private apartment but when I got here I was sharing with a Korean teacher. Furthermore, they have me working 9 hours a day without a break but in the contract it states that I would be only working 30 hours a week. Also they are refusing to give the vacation I requested to take in January. They told me that holidays are vacation days. They are supposed to give me 10 paid vacation days. What would you do in my situation?

In regards to reapplying for the E-2 visa, would I need to go back to my home country or can I do the interview with the consulate in Japan? Also, can I search for a new job while working at this hagwon or would I need to quit first then look for a new job?

[buymybook]

Yes, you can go to Japan and ask your new employer whether they will pay for that, get it in writing. You should not have allowed them to make you room with a Korean Teacher. That was their first clue that they can take advantage of you. Your teaching hours is what is counted, what does it say in your contract pertaining to what a teaching hour equals. Where I work 45 minutes = 1 hour. What does it say in your contract? What is your location? If you aren't paid a complaint at the labor ministry can take 45-90 days. If you move far away you will have difficulty fighting for your money/attending your hearing dates. I think you have 90 days from your last day worked to file a labor complaint, you should file it ASAP and you'll be asked to go there 2-3 weeks later for your 1st hearing. Ask your boss to go out and have drinks and the local bar. Did you boss take you out to eat/drink yet? If not, that is another clue that he doesn't like you.

He is angry because you went to the hospital. He probably didn't have any plans to pay for your health coverage which is the law. That is a clue that your boss is a mizer to no end and doesn't care squat about YOU. You should ask him when you are going to receive your health insurance card. Then, ask him everyday. Of course you can look for another job while working there but you ought not let them know anything about it, not even the Korean Teacher living with you. Your Korean Teacher is probably(99% chance) telling your boss everything about what you say/do in your free time. Therefore you don't have any free time, you ARE being WATCHED/BIGBROTHER!

You had your mommy call the coordinator? Ha, ha!!

[Provence]

Thank you again for your reply. It only states 30 working hours in my contract. I know now that the contract is very vague which gives them the advantage. I did complain about the room-mate situation but their reponse was they were working on getting me a private apartment. So far they have been working on it for 7 weeks. They did take me out for drinks my 2nd week here and they are very friendly with me. However, I feel like its a constant battle with the hagwon boss that I am losing. As friendly as he is to my face he is still breaking contract and taking advantage of me.
One more question. Should I get a recuiter and tell them my situation to help me find a new job while working for this hagwon? Or should I keep this matter private.
Honestly I would just go home and give up on Korea after this hagwon but I love teaching and Korea. Also, I know from talking with other foreign teachers that hagwons can be good if you know how to negotiate with them before your contract starts.

[buymybook]

Since you are here you don't need a recruiter to work at a Hagwon but if you don't have any other contacts use a different recruiter. Are you living in Jeolla province/southwestern S. Korea by chance? Do you have your needed documents to get a job?

[jadarite]

You might want to get your paperwork in order for a new job. Then, when the time is right, go to immigration, get your exit order. Leave after you get your last pay and move on.

Until then, make sure the hagwon knows that you are unhappy with the living arrangements on a weekly basis. Let them know also, if they don't move you into another apartment, you will do it yourself

[Provence]

I have all of my papers except a new criminal backround check and my college diploma (my hagwon is still holding it and won't give it back to me). However, I can get both of those fairly easily, it will just cost me a little. I am actually near Busan.
I think I will get a recuiter because I don't have any contacts. Should I explain the situation to them; that I am still working for a hagwon but planning on leaving ect.? I am currently on an E-2 visa.

[jadarite]

Recruiters don't care. Just make sure you don't get a bad hagwon again. Also, if there are any good aspects to your current job, make sure the new school also has those. I have several times overlooked them and assumed I would get the same at the next job.

[Provence]

Thank you for the advice. Hopefully this all works out. You can be sure I am going to read that contract very carefully next time.

[Seoul'n'Corea]