Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kberger]

I have been here since September, working at a small hagwon in a smaller town an hour south of Seoul. In December, the director sold to someone new. This is a small place, there are onlt three Korean teachers here teaching English. Since December two of the three have left and been replaced. It is safe to say the place is not in the best financial health.

In January, I requested a week of vacation for February 22-26. For years, I have always skied with relatives for one week in Colorado, and since I have vacation time, I really wanted to go. I wasn't expecting a very friendly response to this request, but the director said ok. Last night after classes were done, the director wanted to talk to me and he told me my last day here would be the day before I leave for vacation.

This will cost me some money changing my round trip flight to the USA to a one way ticket, and then figure out a way to get from Colorado back home to Wisconsin. The next ten days will be a little uncomfortable.

Believe it or not I would still say I have generally enjoyed my time in Korea.

[frankly speaking]

Ask him directly, if you are being fired and for what reason? You have a contract that expires in September, so legally he has to give you 30 days notice.

You are lucky to be able to chose your holiday though. Most of the schools that I have worked for always have scheduled holidays.

If you don't want to lose your job, then fight to keep it. Legally he has no justification for firing you with only 2 weeks notice.

[wesharris]

Aye,
They must follow the law.

[kberger]

He said that parents complained that I talk slow and have an accent. I will say that I talk slowly to people at the school, just so they understand me. Accent? I have to disagree with that, I am from Wisconsin, and I'd say my English is standard for North America.

[Evildmn]

[djsmnc]

[lifeinkorea]

Allowing you on this ski trip may not have been just a kind gesture. It may have been a way for him to avoid paying for your flight home. He can hire a new teacher and start the year contract period over again.

[Whitey Otez]

Wow, nobody jumped in to add that the director is trying to "save face" for himself by not admitting that he can't market his academy as a better alternative to the "welfare" after school programs. I sympathize with you, OP. Maybe you'll get a better gig next time around.

[stevieg4ever]

What's the money situation? I take it he has been pretty consistent with paying you upto this point. Presumably he isnt paying for your flight home and severance hasn't ben mentioned. How much longer is left to run on the contract?

God, how many public school / hagwon disaster threads have there been this week? And its only Wednesday.

[kberger]

2/17 update

I showed the director article 26 of thte labor standards act that says I should get 30 days notice. He said that doesn't apply to me. The reason he gave is all teachers there have been in a 100 days probationary period because he bought the hagwon at the start of December.

After that, I submitted a petition the the Ministry of Labor (on 2/11). On 2/12 the Ministry of labor gave me phone number to call, then I talked on the phone with someone and they said they would forward the petition to the local office down here.

Today after classes, the director told me that he received a call from the Ministry of Labor, and today is my last day at the school.

A couple of other notes. I have always been paid on time. I have been at the school for six months. I bought the round trip flight myself, and the school won't be picking up the tab for that. I haven't changed anything on the ticket yet.

I was thinking I would stay in the USA until I can find another job. Since the I already paid for the flight back to Korea, I'm thinking I would have an easier time landing a new job if I am over here and it may make me a better candidate if a school just has to pay for a visa run as opposed to a ticket across the Pacific.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[kberger]

2/18 update

The Ministry of Labor told me today I don't need to get 30 days notice because I have worked at the school for less than six months.

[davai!]

Changing your RT ticket to a one way will end up costing you MORE money. Airlines suck.

[madtownhustl]

Sorry to here that my fellow Wisconsinite. I always knew we had crazy accents that no one can understand....
That director is full of.....

[PaperTiger]