Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jendaejeon]

My contract is up 6th September, and my visa finishes 2nd of September. I've been bugging my boss for a while now about getting a plane ticket home, and so far nothing. Today I asked again, stating clearly that my last teaching day would be the first Friday in September, as I still have a few vacation days she has never let me take. She started yelling at me saying that my end date is "not fixed", and that I should "stop talking". She wants me to work at least an extra two weeks, or until she finds a new native English teacher, as she is having trouble finding one.

My problem is that I do need to go home, I have been counting down the days to finishing this job and aside from that I have job interviews and other things lined up at home which I have to go to. She was so irrational and crazily mad today I didn't want to push it too much without taking the weekend to think things over. Just posting on here to see if anyone has any advice as to what is best to do. Aside from anything else I need a plane ticket with a fixed departure date so I can extend my visa, but if I push it too much will she be able to keep my bonus and airfare? Do I have any legal footing to stand on, if she fires me now with only two weeks to go? Her English is pretty poor too which makes communication tricky.

Any helpful suggestions appreciated.
Thanks

[BoholDiver]

If you wish to stand up for yourself, you need to tell your boss that you are finished on the 2nd and that's that. What's this 'stop talking' nonsense? Your boss should find a new teacher.

If you want to take the diplomatic route, I suggest making some excuse for why you have to leave and can not stay. Put the guilt on your boss, as if asking for 2 extra weeks will ruin everything.

I would do #1 personally. People like this need to be put in their place.

[Troglodyte]

Go to the labor board to have it sorted out.

[gartonator]

where's the school? If it's in Busan, I might replace you.

I can deal with crazy beatches.

[antoniothegreat]

[some waygug-in]

It is not your responsability to find a new teacher. But it may help you to get things sorted with your boss if you could.

In any case, You will be held accountable by immigration if you stay past the end date of your visa. They will fine you and perhaps ban you from working in Korea again. It is not negotiable.

If your boss won't get things in progress, I suppose you could call immigration, but I don't know how helpful that would be.

I think you may have to bite the bullet yourself, as your boss sounds like a scoundrel.

I hope I am wrong, but too often this is the case in Korea.

[jendaejeon]

Thanks for the advice - the school is in Daejeon, but if anyone's willing to take her on that would be awesome. She's actually stringing along around 5 native teachers now who have all agreed to the job, and are waiting on the visa paperwork.

I'm going to try and talk to her calmly tomorrow, I know she has no right to keep me her so hopefully I can get it through to her that either way it is not going to happen. I'm also calling the labor board tomorrow to get some advice from them.

If anyone else has any ideas let me know!

[Epik_Teacher]

[northway]

[ontheway]

[jendaejeon]

Thanks again for the advice. I will leave info about the place when I leave. I'm fine working through to my last day, and not going to kick up a fuss about one un-used vacation day, I'm most concerned about her not actually accepting that I am going to leave when my contract is finished - would that still be a matter for the civil courts or the labor courts? I have tried researching these things online but it all seems I bit hazy - anyone been in the same situation?

[ontheway]

[Junior]

Its for this reason that they are introducing the new 13-month visa.
Too many hogwon owners taking advantage of the fact visas expire before contracts do and not paying severance.

I think they start issuing them from September 1st.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

[oldfatfarang]