Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jamo]

So sometimes it seems bad and sometimes it doesn't. Just looking for some objective perspective since I am the ONLY foreign teacher at my Hagwon.

My contract started on Jan 4. Interviewed and hired by the Head Korean teacher at that time. After arriving this teacher stated that because it was at xmas time, and my final week would be xmas/winter break that I would be leaving on xmas. I verified this with the teacher previous to me and indeed, she did leave and fly home on xmas eve. The headteacher has left since then and the Hagwon owner now says that is not possible and would like me to stay for 2 extra days past xmas because " it's important for native teacher to engage in xmas activities with the children and he cannot make exceptions for every teacher." Had I known this I wouldn't have signed a contract at xmas time, as it's a big deal with my family and important to me as well.

I've had the following problems.

-No pension
-No medical
-No overtime
-Required to stay and work lunch time and do not consider it hours of working, therefore(kindy lunch; serve food, teach english food names, help brush teeth, clean up puke) I dont even get free food since I'm vegetarian.
- Even tho my vacation is stated 10 days, they have decided to choose which ten days I can take. AND originally telling me they would be in full one week increments -- changing it instead to wed, thurs, fri(one week) and monday, tues(of the nxt week). That seriously cuts into traveling time. One of the main reasons I moved here....

I feel like they really like me, and are more friendly, etc to me than stories in the past. However -- they could just NEED me since I am the only native teacher.

I'm in love with my kids and co-workers and hate the tension or to cause problems...I just want to make sure I'm not over reacting.

[NYC_Gal]

Leave. No pension/medical is a deal breaker.

[jamo]

but how hard is it to get out of a contract? wait for new criminal records, etc and be released? and find a new job -- hmmm

[TheUrbanMyth]

[jamo]

ps - anyone know the law on pension? It's not in my contract but I didnt consider that because I thought it was Korean Law. Kinda of like social security in the U.S.

I guess it's not law and my employer does not have to pay it?

[PigeonFart]

I was going to try to give my opinion, but there's so many if's and but's that i don't have the energy to write a big essay. I guess it's just very hard to tell someone what to do, only you know what's best for you.

I do find the 'not giving you pension and health insurance' to be an absolute disgrace though.

As for the going home for christmas, if your contract starts on January 4th then you should expect to leave Korea the following Jan 4th. Verbal agreements don't mean anything here....things change, co-workers change, manager's/bosses change, lying is culturally accepted, etc. So i'd forget about the going home for christmas, unless your contract says so. Follow your written contract.

Don't worry about "causing tension" as you say. Do what's best for you. They will have no problem finding a new teacher if you give your 30 (or 60) days notice.

Does your situation warrant a midnight run? I'd say no.
Does your situation warrant changing jobs? Maybe.

[The Goalie]

I just spent two weeks in the hospital. I'm basically healthy and this problem came out of nowhere (I had my health check 2 months ago). This could happen to you (or you, or you...). Even with health insurance this was a bit of a blow but without it... very bad indeed. Do not work for a company that doesn't provide health insurance.

[fugitive chicken]

They are being extremely unprofessional in how they treat their employees. You have things you were promised and should get.

Weigh the pros and cons of working there. And remember, they are obviously taking advantage of you and trying to get as much out of you as they possibly can. You can tell this by the fact that they changed your vacation time and that they are breaking the law by not giving you a pension or insurance.

Personally, I would flat out refuse to stay those 2 extra days at Christmas because that is what you were promised in the beginning and demand your pension and insurance. They need to know that what they are doing is illegal and unfair and they shouldn't treat their employees this way.

If they don't fire you first, or if things get too uncomfortable there because you are sticking to your contract and they aren't, I would quit and report them to the labor board. They can get heavily fined for that. The problem with so many hogwans is that they are out to get money and will penny pinch all of their employees to get as much profit as they possibly can. A friend of mine in a similar situation was told by her hogwan boss that 60% of all hogwans do this...as if that justified her actions for breaking the law...

[jamo]

I want to refuse the two extra days at xmas but I am afraid they will not deposit my paycheck and bonus before I leave.

[NYC_Gal]

I doubt you'd even get your bonus, if they're not paying into pension and insurance.

You don't want to be in a situation without health coverage.

[Juregen]

I can only concur with everything that has been said before.

They have no scruples.

[Nester Noodlemon]

You are on an E2 Visa, right?
You are an employee, right?

You should be getting National Health Insurance.

You should be getting Pension.


Not to jump your thread, but, a note to ontheway > NO PENSION, at least yet.

[Steve_Rogers2008]

[The Goalie]

[fugitive chicken]