Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zimmerman]

Hi everybody, glad to be here. At least on this board. I have a problem. I would appreciate any advice.

I finally arrived in Busan (and Korea for the first time) and after training for two weeks at this private school, I was fired.

My boss is pulling out all these "reasons" why I should leave the school (accusing me of not smiling enough, misspelling words I didn't misspell...things like that). She is insisting that I leave the school. Which in a sense is a relief because I don't like it. But, the problem is she wants me to resign. The contract says that if I willfully leave the school I must pay back the airfare, the school is not responsible for return airfare, and the school has the right to withhold my wages for the price of the airfare.

But I am not quitting; she is trying to force me to resign. She's demanding a letter of resignation. I have only worked two weeks but I need the money. The contract says that I would get paid as soon as orientation begins.

It seems like, if I am fired I might stand a chance to get my wages and not get billed for my airfare. For my contract pretty much states if I'm forced out I don't have to pay.

But wouldn't resigning over "differences," with the school's consent, look better for the next employer I'm trying to find? Could I convince the next employer that I was fired for unjust reasons? Should I get a new job and not even tell the new employer about the former school at all? I don't want to be dishonest but I don't want to get screwed either.

I am wondering if this is worth the fight and if I should insist I am getting fired and not write the letter of resignation or if I should just eat it: not get paid, and risk getting billed? My contract does say that if I'm terminated I am required to sign a notice of termination and accompany the employer to the immigration office to terminate the contract, within 14 days.

I would imagine that getting a Letter of Release would be hard if I refuse their requests and I'm not sure a letter of termination will reflect nicely on my employment history here. I haven't confronted my boss about this yet, but I would like some advice so I can go in there with knowledge before I start making demands. I really don't know what to do. She's sitting in her office waiting for me to come in with a letter of resignation.

Plus, even though I've been reading some posts, I'm still a little confused about the process of getting a new visa and canceling my existing one. Can I do it without a Letter of Release in case things go bad? I think this involves getting an Exit Order.

Should I try to get a new employer and just be straight with them about everything? I'm just wondering if this is a case of being honest will screw ya.

To make matters more confusing, I don't have an ARC yet. I was planning on getting my health check and card but all of a sudden this happened. I've been here two weeks being drilled with their training so I haven't had the time.

Also, would I have to reapply for my new visa from scratch? I have my original diploma, background check, and sealed transcripts if this is necessary.

Sorry to throw so much info out at once. But I'm kinda in a bind. I hope Korea gets better than this.

[mike123_ca]

Only been working there for 2 weeks. Your either a very bad teacher or the school is having money problems. Since 2 weeks is a very short time to judge a teaceh, then I'm guessing that they are having other problems. Getting rid of you will reduce their expenses.

There are 2 ways of getting rid of you.

1st way is to have you resign which will save them alot of money. If they already paid the airplane fare, then they will deduct it from your pay. They will not be have to give you 1 month notice.

2nd way is too fire you, but at least you can use goverment services to help you out.

Remember
Korean Hagwon owner has home field advantage
He also has Hagwon association to represent his needs.
He is Korean, your not.

I would check out ATEK maybe they can help you out.

[MrRogers]

Don't resign.

Let them force you out.

Check out your contract.

Because you have only been there a short time, don't even mention this very temporary situation in the future.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[cruisemonkey]

[John Henry]

don't quit. you'll be screwed.

they want you out, let them do it so you can get another job.

[Lostone7]

Hey,

I am in Busan. I have helped a few people out of your situation. PM
me if you wanna grab dinner and Ill fill you in on how busan works.

[CentralCali]

SIGN NOTHING! No matter what the boss gives you, no matter what she says it is, don't sign it.

[MrRogers]

That's right...

you need to think independently, and to trust your instincts about what is going on...and don't give in.

[zimmerman]

Wow. That was fast. Thank you everybody. It's really so nice to hear from people that are not connected to that school. I think they are losing money. I heard their sign ups are down, kids are quitting, and they're joining smaller classes into bigger ones.

I don't think I'm going to resign. If they want me out, let 'em force me out. I'll ask for my pay, but I won't expect it.

They were expecting me to show up with a resignation letter yesterday but I didn't show up. Can they cancel my visa at any time if they don't hear from me right away? I'm afraid that they will cancel my visa without me knowing it and then I will get fined for overstaying. Or does this process usually take a little time? I know what my contract says, but apparently contracts don't mean much around here.

Plus I'm concerned about the apartment. The boss said I could stay here for two weeks until I find another place, but I don't think she's gonna like me very much after I tell her I'm not resigning. That's why I'm reluctant to piss her off so quickly. If I have to scam, hopefully there are some cheap places I could stay until this all works out.

[zimmerman]

Hey, lostone7

I would like to get together but the board is telling me I can't PM until I post 25 times. Is there a way around this?

[nuthatch]

he can send you a PM with his email address or cell number

[zimmerman]

Hey. lostone7

Please PM me. I'm in the PNU area.

[zimmerman]

Does anybody think the Termination Notice will be in English? I hear people say sign nothing, but I think I have to sign this to terminate my visa, or my contract. I'm not really sure which. Maybe both. I would hate to have to sign a document that's in Korean.

[Cerriowen]