Korean Job Discussion Forums

Feedsam · Joined: 01 Nov 2009

I signed a contract last year with employment dates 17 June 09 - 31 May 2010. At the time I thought they want me to finish at the end of the month for accounting purposes or something, nothing major. I was told yesterday (2days before I finish) that I will not be paid severance because it was not a full year. My co-teacher had purposefully made those dates hoping that I wouldn't ask questions and thats what I did. By the way this is a public school. My Kim my co-teacher knew exactly what he was doing and pointed out the contract and the section with a smug look on his face. As I start a new school on the Monday I cannot stay until the 16th June so I get my severance. Just a warning to you all out there make sure your contract is for one full year not a week or day shorter.

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

Mine is listed March 1-Feb28, so I guess I'm good on that part

kabrams · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Location: your Dad's house

Feedsam · Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Kyungmin Boys Middle School in Uijeongbu. I am their first native teacher and they are looking for a replacement. We havea big campus with other teachers and I am damn gonna tell them my situation and make sure they let the new person know what went down.

I would say that I have been a good servant to them, I make all my lessons sometimes teach alone and do extra classes when they ask. I asked them to do the right thing and think with their heart but the answer was no. All I can do is be the bigger person and take it on the chin as much as it cuts me and want revenge.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

One has to ask why a public school / co-teacher/s would try to shaft a GET out of a severance payment.

- are they pocketing the severance money themselves?
- Are they GET's haters?
- Do they see it as their duty to save money for Korea?
- is this a new POE management strategy?

The mind boggles.

Personally, I'd be having a talk with the Principal, VP and POE. I'd be explaining that what they've done might be legal, but it isn't 'good practice' for a government employer, and that you'll be posting their names, the name of their school etc - all over the web.

Good luck in your new job. You deserve better.

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

Yes, thank you for naming the school. That was very good of you.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

The name "Uijeongbu" rang a faint bell so I did a quick search

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=63423

Sounds like it's not just your school...

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

You should tell your school to extend or revise your contract end date to 6/16/2010.

jonpurdy · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan

This 11.5 months thing might be of interest to the labor board. Although technically it's less than a year and you're technically not being fired, it's pretty slimy. I'd contact them and see what they have to say.

mmstyle · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever

randall020105 · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 6:45 pm Post subject: re: Midnight run?

Midnight runner mean anything to you?

situations like these just justifies a runner more and more...not that i'll do it.
some of these types of koreans really do more bad than good for their country... more and more "waegooks" come here and get more & more angry than having to experience the better part of being here...

i really feel for you... nothing like being scammed face to face. been there done that... will never leave a contract unread again... take your time reading these contracts...even though they may seem to have some strong "gochujang" stuck up their rear-ends...

goodluck with your future endeavours.

R.

Feedsam · Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Hey guys thanks for all the feedback. Slowly getting over it now, I mean its not the end of the world is it. I'm not really pissed about the money its just the way they went about it. I have heard these kind of stories about other people and never really thought I would end up being "that guy". I start my new school Monday and won't have any i'll feelings toward that school.
But newbies and oldies please don't make my mistake, ask these things in the beginning, double check your dates, and read all the fine print 2-3 times.

AsiaESLbound · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Location: Truck Stop Missouri

That is a super shoddy thing to do when you gave them a year of your life. This goes to show they didn't care one iota about you with no consideration. I consider a year of my life to be a major sacrifice to teach Korean kids for roughly 30 million Korean won. This is not to be taken lightly. I know I'd be extremely insulted. I do see this as an insult to all of us teaching in Korea. I read about how recruiters in Taiwan often use interviewing candidates doing demo classes as free substitutes to private schools so Korea is not the only country with cheaters.

blonde researcher · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 7:15 pm Post subject:

The public schools get allocated a certain budget annually to cover everything --- including the payment of severance. Officially you are finishing your contract so the paperwork will probably show the severance has to be used at your school.
This means your school most likely has the severance money already and will no doubt find a 'convienient ' way to use it elsewhere? The worst scenario is that your co teacher marks it as being paid and it is then used by him.

Legally, severance is only paid after 12 months exactly, and any attempt to swindle at 11.5 months with the way the contract is written should be taken further.