Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Teabonesteak]

I'm a teacher who spent last year in a Hagwon. This year I returned to the Hagwon life only to be confronted with what I see as just another horror story I used to hear about. My school is bad; REAL bad. I can't even begin to describe all the problems there but it is very disorganized and critically understaffed. The boss is not willing to do what it takes to make the school a good place to learn. In fact, education has take a back seat to everything that is going on there right now. I've been there for a month and I'm ashamed to be apart of it so much so I have trouble sleeping at night.

I was told that they are losing students and they won't be able to sustain the school for much longer if the trend continues. I can't ask for a release letter because I am the only native speaking teacher there and that would guarantee there failure. I'm not going to try and get fired either because that would be foolish. I feel like I'm tied to the mast of a sinking ship and I won't be able to untie the ropes until the ship goes under.

I could use some legal advice if there is anyone out there who can help me. If anyone could direct me towards some information or give me some personal insight it would be greatly appreciated. I would also like to start looking for a new job but I don't want to use the Job board on this website because the recruiter for my job tied me to this sinking ship on purpose. (Jacques Sheard, Australian, Tiger Recruiting)

Any help would be appreciated.

[sarbonn]

You're in Korea now, so I would advise spending what time you have where things are still working out to actually start getting your paperwork together so that you can go someplace else. You can hope for a LOR, but if that's not going to happen, it might benefit you to have your criminal background check and transcripts ready for when you do decide to apply elsewhere.

As you are in Korea, you have an ability to actually interview directly with the places where you might want to work next.

I say all this, even though I'm on one of those sinking ships myself. My decision, however, is to sink with the ship and then when it can't tread water anymore, I'm just going to go home back to the states and hope that I have enough saved money to survive there.

Take each day one at a time, and try to be as positive about your current circumstances as you can without giving yourself an ulcer. It's very easy to start getting negative on yourself and your circumstances, to the point where you find yourself almost unable to do anything else.

I'm not sure what you really have to lose by using the job board here to look for a job. If you're worried about someone finding out you're looking, well, eventually they're going to need to find out because when you don't show up to work one day, they're going to get the hint really quick-like.

[Teabonesteak]

I'm on good terms with everybody because they see my efforts and I think they respect that. I'm also pretty big so they might be a little intimidated about trying anything underhanded. My plan is to work until the school goes under but I want to prepare for the transition when the time comes. I'm travelling to Seoul to consult some friends on these matters but I'm hoping someone on this board has some similar experience with this type of stuff.

[stuck]

I'm in a similar situation. I've been at my school for 6 months, and in that time it has been nothing but lies and misleading information from the management. February's pay was a full month late, and I haven't been paid for March yet (due on the 10th March). I could put up with the lies, but when my pay was late I demanded a LOR.

Thankfully I've found a new school and because it's not a hogwan I can just transfer my visa. My co-worker has also quit, and he's going to start at another hogwan. He was told by immi that he has to go to Japan but he doesn't need his documents again because he has not been out of the country since he last submitted them. However I would get your documents just to be on the safe side. Good luck, I understand how frustrating it is being on a sinking ship.

[wylies99]

Be prepared to leave. Also, be prepared to battle for your pay.

BTW, if/when you leave, life will go on, the birds will still. sing, and that hagwon will probably still be in business. Let some illegal teacher (no diploma) deal with it. They LOVE situations like that.

[ChinaBoy]

[buymybook]

[Teabonesteak]

Yeah, from the information I'm getting I figure i have to wait until this place closes down. It's depressing trying to juggle my own responsiblities with everyone elses. I will get my CRC and notarized diploma back though because I don't think my boss is an underhanded person; He's just stupid.
I feel like Koreans are raised to be told what to do. They don't seem to take any intiative themselves and since the bosses bright idea to bring more students into our school (get ready for this) is to offer our current students 10,000 won to bring their friends, I've decided to take control and do everything myself. I'll post some more disorganizatonal horror stories about this place later.

[hagwonnewbie]

I don't think you can get your crc back once you've gotten your arc. I think immi throws it in the trash and you will need a new one.

[Fishead soup]

RUN KATE RUN