Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AaronPSU777]

I have been unable to use the search function on this site so if this is addressed elsewhere please let me know!

I know for many legitimate reasons "running" from a bad Hagwon may be seen as innapropriate, immature or unprofessional. "Be an adult and deal with your problems head on." But is it possible you could find yourself in a situation where up and leaving really is your best option?

My hagwon really sucks, we have not been getting paid on time, my boss has flat out lied to me on numerous occasions, and misled me or conveniently forgotten to mention things to me on many other occasions. She only paid me half pay my first week because it was training, however I wasn't told of this until I got here, and it's not in my contract. I'm at school for 9 hours a day with no break, we get planning periods but we are doing office work during that time, we do not get any breaks where we can simply relax (I believe this is a violation of Korean labor laws). Recently she had a bizarre and very shady discussion with me about switching me to part time status. Though I think she dropped that idea when she realized she would have to break my contract to do that and I could leave. These are only some of the things she's done, there's certainly more.

Now, what I would like to do is cut my losses and head back to the states. I'm fine with buying my own plane ticket back but I'm fairly certain she will require me to reimburse her for my flight here, even though I will have been here for over 6 months if and when I leave. Unfortunately I did not do enough research before I came out here, my contract states if I quit at any time, even after 6 months, I still have to reimburse her for the flight here. Yea I know, stupid, but I am new here, I didn't fully understand everything I was getting into.

So the way I see it I can either do this the straight forward and professional way, inform her of my intentions and then deal with her trying to hit me for as much cash as she possibly can before I leave OR I can pack my bags and take off when it's convenient for me. The way I see it my boss has treated me pretty badly the whole time I've been here and I don't really feel any sympathy towards her for any difficulties my departure might cause her. I would feel bad for my kids and coworkers as they are all great. But I think that's something I can deal with. I do not care that I won't be able to use my boss as a reference and it wouldn't really bother me if my visa got pulled and I wasn't allowed to work in Korea any more.

So I am just curious what everyones opinion is and, if I were to leave, what exactly would be the implications for me. Would I be prevented from entering Korea in the future, even as a tourist? Or would I just be prevented from getting another work visa? etc.[url][/url]

[E_athlete]

- withholding pay? Okay Refuse to come into work

- Threatening to fire you? Okay, tell them "maybe you should fire me" and ask for a letter of release and find another hagwon job.

- if you choose to run, go the day after you get your paycheck. No you wont have to reimburse any flight ticket.

[sugarkane59]

I'm really sorry that you are having a rough time.

However, no one can make this decision but you, because you are the one that is having to live through this every day. I do think that deep down you have already made your decision - would anyone's advice here sway you the way you least want to go anyway?

[soviet_man]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If I were you, and had no intention of working in Korea again, I would leave the weekend after pay-day and leave her a letter specifying exactly why I'm leaving. If you try to get out the 'professional' way chances are about 99% she will do everything to make your life difficult, if not hell.

[vonnegutjr]

If you're asking the question, "is it ok to run?" It most likely is. Everything will work out.

[Ramen]

What are you waiting on?

[kreftca]

Here's what I know...and it's pretty much a give and take here. If you run without telling them you will probably NEVER be able to come back to Korea. They will cancel your Visa and put you on the "naughty" list. It will be hard for you to even VISIT if you ever wanted to again. At the same time. If you tell them you are leaving they still may "conveniently" forget to pay you for your time...so if things are as bad as they sound, then GET OUT. When they have fully paid you just book it. It may be smart to contact the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and explain to them what happened...may not d anything, they may do something...ya never really know here.

Best of luck with that decision...If your employer did this to you in the States, would you stay in that job?

[Theo]

The rampant lies from my hagwon started the moment I arrived from the airport. I should have turned around that very day and split! Instead, I hung around long enough, and endured enough abuse (in the name of being "professional") that after seven months I landed back in my home country permenently disabled from the experience (and while I was in the hospital there, my visa was cancelled and I was therefore illegal -- thank you, Korea!)

I say if your gut tells you to run, then RUN!!!

I lived and worked in mainland China for five years, and wound up doing one "runner" during all that time, and I have absolutely no regrets about it. It was really the wisest course of action, considering the circumstances and the location I was in.

[OculisOrbis]

[Tobias]

[Sector7G]

[lifeinkorea]

By predecessor, I think he meant the people who are there now have to pick up the slack. Those people obviously came before the new guy who is replacing the person doing the runner.

As far as doing a runner, it's probably the thing to do. If you are considering it, then either you are in a bad situation or you just aren't made out for it. So, maybe it's best you leave, open a slot for another teacher, and give the students a better education without the drama.

[Tobias]

[Sector7G]