Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mmarshalynne]

I had a week's vacation and went back to the US. I didn't give notice. I have never done this at any other job, but I felt justified in doing so for this job for a number of reasons.

After I received a copy of my signed contract, a few days before I left for Korea, I told my recruiter I would not longer be available by email and gave a phone number where I could be reached. After arriving in Korea, I noticed the recruiter had sent me another email that said, "final contract". When I opened it, the new 'final contract" had language that specifically eliminated the severance pay as well as the pension plan. Other things in the contract were never honored as well. Despite having specifically stated "desk, table and chairs, and western style bed". I arrived with no desk, no table and chairs, and the Korean style mattress/box springs combo. Later a desk was provided.

I was asked to sign the new contract a few weeks after I began working, and I refused. A new teacher was hired at the school. He mentioned that he had been required to sign a waiver for the pension plan. I'm not sure about the severance pay. A few weeks before I left, the Department of Education raided the hagwon I was working at. They fined the hagwon and reduced the rates that could be charged. The hagwon boss indicated that there were going to be financial problems in the coming months. He also changed my schedule to a split shift, and then the number of hours for me to work contrary to the terms of the contract.

I really liked teaching the students. I had students who hated me and teachers in general on my first day, but who then later participated enthusiastically and brought me presents. Teaching children and watching their skills grow provided a great sense of accomplishment. If I had been able to have the same experience at a school that was honorable, I would never have left.

However, the bottom line was that the school had dealt with me dishonestly on a number of occasions, was unstable financially, and had not been, nor would they be honoring the contract that we signed. I felt justified in leaving and did so.

I know that a lot of people on here think that leaving like this is a terrible thing to do. I looked at it differently. In the United States, I would not have hesitated to walk away as the school had broken the contract on numerous occasions. If it was litigated here, I have no doubt that I would prevail. I went to a great deal of expense to take the job and traveled to the other side of the world only to find that the hagwon had no intention of keeping our agreement. Because I didn't give notice, I walked away with my last paycheck. If I had given notice, I am sure that I would have walked away with nothing.

My only regret is that should I want to come back to Korea some day, I will not be able to.

To all of those people who gave me excellent advise on this forum during the months I was in Korea. Thank you.

[sojourner1]

I think you did the right thing. You had to look out for yourself and your heart just wasn't set on getting screwed by a hagwon in Korea at the time. You can come back if you like. If serious, might consider public school route. I hope you find a job that fits you. Good luck to you.

[Ice Tea]

Absolutely you did the right thing. Dignity is really all we have in this life. It's worth dying for. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." That's the rock of our soul, a rock we fought two wars over. And when we come here and have that kicked about like piece of trash, well, hell I think any action is justified.

Anyone on here who says you shouldn't run when your rights have been exploited says so in their own interest. Because the more people run the more insane Korean rules get. But f*ck them.

[plynx]

you definitely did the right thing - they would have taken you for everything you had if you had given notice. do what's best for you.

[Cheonmunka]

I agree. I think oppositely to people who say, 'because of runners there are new regs etc for those who stay. I think the more people who simply walk out the more troublesome to find decent workers the more employers will pay for stable qualified people, rather than it is now knocking down the minimums and employing less qualified staff.

[MrRogers]

really...the corruption and unethical business practices that are the norm in Korea!

no reason to put up with it...give them honest feedback whether they like it or not

they want to have international connections...well then, get with the program

pulling a runner is sometimes the only way out of their messes

it was nasty pullling what they did after you were on your way

[cruisemonkey]

[Provence]

[cruisemonkey]

Just handing in the ARC may not do it. You would have to tell the officer you are not coming back to K-land and you want the visa cancelled. In fact, you may have to insist - there's a possibility the officer would just take the ARC and not process the cancellation (less work for him/her).

[Tobias]

[ChinaBoy]

Although from the story the OP tells, following the law doesn't seem the top priority of that hagwon

[travelingfool]

[D.D.]

Do onto others as they do onto you. No worries they treated you like shite so you did the right thing.

[OnTheOtherSide]

They definantly deserved it, there's nothing to regret.

You can return to Korea anytime you want too. I think immi can basically do whatever they want and they often let people right back in. I've seen it happen a few times.

[PigeonFart]

what's the name and location of the school?

This will help others to not fall into the same trap you did.