Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rayjoy]

I consulted with my CT today about my departure from Korea. I asked her if I could get my airfare reimbursement before I left. She called Mrs Choi at the Busan Education Office who told her to have me sign a POWER OF ATTORNEY form, granting POA to my school who can consequently call up immigration and verify I have left the country and THEN they will pay me at my home bank account.

I've never even heard of this!

Has anyone else in EPIK signed one of these things? What is the standard reimbursement procedure? I'm guessing there is none but I have never heard of this Power of Attorney thing before. I'm worried there are further ramifications with signing this other than just checking that I've left the country.

[crossmr]

not a chance..

[oftenadrift]

Wow... anyone who knows what a Power of Attorney is would never, ever sign one unless you had absolute trust in that person, as it gives them carte blanche to use your name, access/handle bank accounts etc. (Occasionally it can be specfic, to say one bank).

For example. here in Canada, I would fill out a form to give say, my mother, power of attorney so that she could act on my behalf in event I was incapaciated or incapble of handling my accounts for a time. There would have to be witnesses present to sign that same form who wouldn't benefit from me handing over POA to that person.

This whole thing sounds like a BAD idea. Don't sign ~.~ I've never, ever heard of anyone asking for POA in Korea.

[hobakmorinam]

Yes. EPIC in Busan is losing the plot.

[hobakmorinam]

They want to make sure you have actually left the country, and not just canceling your ticket and taking the cash. It shouldn't matter as they still have to pay the same money. It just shows you where their heads are.

"Oh, we don't want the foreigner to actually profit from working with us. Better make sure he leaves the country."

Hmm, OK, maybe I'll go...and never come back. Good luck with the 22 yo noob that will be replacing me.

[jonbowman88]

In the past they made me get a receipt, and keep the boarding pass. This proves a) how much you paid and b) that you left the country. No more should be needed. Since you need to show the boarding pass you were reimbursed after you came back.

[Ramen]

Signing a blank power of attorney is like signing your life away.

I'm sure they'll will check with immi to ensure that you've left Korea. Then they'll use the POA to cash in your airfare and/or severance (if not paid) for soju and room salon party.

[rayjoy]

[Freddypops]

Mental.

I think Choi Mi-yeong's pretty sexy though, what do you think? I didn't know she was married. She wasn't acting married.

[Theo]

I had a horrible employer in Korea (which shall remain nameless for now) and I was always hearing "management" (two Brits: one an aggresive bully, and the other sleazy and underhanded) spout very similar policies (as the one detailed in the OP) to my colleagues.

It didn't become an issue for me because I returned home from a hospital with my own funds never to look back again.

For a country so hungry for foreign teachers, it seems to dedicate itself to making things as cumbersome, inefficient, and annoying as possible for expats.

So glad to be outta there.

[lifeinkorea]

I would tell them to make payment arrangements before I left and settle all IOU's or I would be staying in Korea and fighting it. It's in their best interest to pay up and get rid of that kind of person/pest.

I would also inform any new teachers of the circumstances.

[antoniothegreat]

simple question...
why are they not just buying your ticket and handing you the ticket?

and like everyone says, if you give them POA and then dont get any money, you got what you deserve. back home, if a coworker says "give me your credit card, SS card, bank account, checks, driver's license and all passwords" would you do it?

[rayjoy]

[Ramen]

[marlow]

It says in the contract that they pay for your ticket if you finish the contract. So you can buy it ahead of time so you actually have one, and they have to pay you the money on your last day. There's no reimbursement option for them unless you are going on holiday for renewing.