Korean Job Discussion Forums

[isthisreally]

Background: I've been in Korea for 4 months, came on a 1-year contract in the beginning of January.

I grew slightly dissatisfied with my current school, and sent out some resumes. Found another job paying significantly more (about 800,000 more a month with lower hours). I signed a contract with them, and gave my current school notice last week.

Here's where it gets more interesting. My contract specifically says that if I stay more than 3 months, I don't have to pay back recruiting fees my employer paid. I do have to pay back airfare, but my new employer would reimburse, so that's fine. The contract also required 6 week notice.

My boss wigged out when I told him I was leaving. He said he would give me a release letter, but only on the condition that I stayed 6 weeks AND repaid him the recruiting fee. The problem is that the fee is a little over $2K.

Obviously I can understand him being pissed, but he's the one who signed a bad contract, not me. And knowing how hagwon owners operate I don't feel too sorry for him...

Anyway, I'm not sure what to do now. Working for a month for free really sucks, and I'd like to get out sooner than 6 weeks to be honest. I told my boss that I would reconsider quitting, and he is looking at giving me an offer for a raise. Ideally I would like to switch though.

What would you do in this situation? I can see these options:
1. Stay at my current school, probably with a slight (200,000ish) bump in pay. Holding a gun to your boss's head does have its advantages.

2. Pull a runner. The downside here is I'm not sure if I can be reported to immigration and be completely f***ed. Otherwise this would work the best.

3. Stick it out for a month, get reamed for a month's salary, and then try to get it back after getting a release. Not loving that option. Also I want to be released sooner than 6 weeks.

Ideas?

[wesharris]

Stick to the honest part of your agreement, which means do what's right.
That doesn't mean staying throughout the entire contract, but giving the notice listed on your contract is simply honest. Refuse to pay any recruiting fees, be nice to him, and do your best to get a LOR.

[isthisreally]

Let me clarify. I think he would just keep that whole month's pay even if I gave 6 weeks notice. My question is whether or not I have any options in that case? And can I force him to give a release letter if I honor the terms of the contract, or is that just up to how nice he feels?


If the answer to those questions is no, and he can screw me over, I see no reason why I should only consider honorable options.

If the answer is yes, then I need to know how to do those things.

[Skippy]

Try to find out honestly the recruiters pay is! Meaning call the recruiter and ask them. Do not trust you boss that it is 2 mil. If you are forced to pay, pay pro-rated meaning if you where there for 4 months you pay 8/12 of the fee.

You might have to be prepared to fight meaning labour board and that! But if you do fight the other school could very likely drop you and go with someone less troublesome.

In the end my advice is leave but pay back the airplane, negotiate, negotiate and negotiate some more on paying the recruiters fee.

Good Luck

[valkerie]

I don't know this as fact (but have heard it several times and from hogwon owners themselves) that the recruiter doesn't even get paid until 6 months in for exactly this reason - or they guarantee to privide a replacement candidate for free...... maybe worth trying to find out.

[tanklor1]

[Skippy]

Ya I have heard the same about the money back guarantee from recruiters too but I think they go from one month to 3 months.

Actually as I was saying his best option is "number 3". But still fight about what to pay!

A slightly stupid idea is see if you can find a new teacher for the teacher thus equaling out the recruiters fee.

[isthisreally]

Hmmmm. So I talked to my boss, and got a better version of option 3. He agreed I was right about the contract.

Now, the problem is that apparently since I'll be under 6 months at the time I finish, a letter of release DOESN'T HELP. Meaning I'll still have to redo all paperwork.

I know this has been asked a lot, but I still can't find a clear answer. Which documents would I have to redo if I decide to just leave the country from scratch and apply for a new visa?

If I do just leave the school, two questions:
1. How do I check to see if my current visa has been cancelled?
2. How long do I have to stay in Korea after the visa has been cancelled?

[lifeinkorea]

[isthisreally]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[isthisreally]

[valkerie]

Just tell the immi person u r not returning.