Korean Job Discussion Forums

3rdplaceRobot · Joined: 30 Jun 2013

I recently took a job at a chain hagwon. I've been here a little over a week now and just moved into my apartment. Another teacher mentioned they thought there was a mold problem in there but I was assured that it had been fixed. It hasn't been. Half the wallpaper has been ripped off and the mold is still there. They actually need to replace the wall. I'm trying to discuss it with the school now; however, they didn't handle a previous teacher's housing complaint well at all, so I'm preparing for it to get dismissed. They've also shown themselves to be somewhat deceptive in other respects. Apparently there hasn't been a midnight run at my school in years, but most of the teachers also seem so desperate for the job that they'll deal with the school's bullshit.

I have the money and resources to get home, but I want to be fully prepared for what might happen. My contract requires paying back the plane ticket as well as the housing deposit. It also requires 60 days' notice, but I'll only be able to give 30 at the most. I was planning on traveling with a friend who's also living in Korea during the summer break at the end of July. (Pay day would be shortly before that.)

I mainly want info on what unforeseen fees or obstacles I could end up dealing with and whether or not a midnight run would be best. I have no plans on returning to work in Korea. The school told me it would be about two months before I got my ARC card. Will that be an issue when it comes to leaving the country and canceling my visa? Will I have problems trying to stay in the country for an extra week if I give notice and my last day is before the break?

Like I said, I'm trying to work it out with my school, but if things look like they aren't going to be fixed, I want to have a plan in mind.

Swampfox10mm · Joined: 24 Mar 2011

Two months to get your ARC card? Sounds like you are working illegally because they may not have actually started paperwork.

What is your home country? When is your next payday? Have you ever been paid?

Get your money and get the heck out. Hope you have not overstayed on a tourist visa. DO NOT tell anyone you are leaving or they will stick you with airfare. Do not tell other teachers either. They are not your friends and will be looking out for their own hides and sell you out while acting like your buddy.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

^ Sounds spot on. Also, the law says you don't have to give any notice at all. Doesn't matter what the contract says in that respect.

tophatcat · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Location: under the hat

robbie_davies · Joined: 16 Jun 2013

You have been in Korea for a week?

3rdplaceRobot · Joined: 30 Jun 2013

Thanks for your replies, I am here on a work visa, but they did hire me within a little over a month of my start date. I was given the two month estimate by a foreign supervisor, so he may have made a mistake. I'm from the US and my first pay day is going to be at the end of the month, just before the break.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

robbie_davies · Joined: 16 Jun 2013

3rdplaceRobot · Joined: 30 Jun 2013

First, not a kid. Second, not a dude. Third, not suffering from culture shock or home sickness. And I said I've been at the school about a week, not that I've been in Korea a week.

What I have in my apartment is black mold, which can be toxic and which can cause a ton of health problems. It made the last teacher sick and he didn't even realize it was connected to the mold. I'm not complaining about the wallpaper (which isn't peeling; it was ripped off to inspect the wall). I'm complaining about the fact that there is black mold in my apartment that they've known about for months and haven't done anything about it. I also never said people were too scared to leave. I said they were too desperate to leave. Most of the teachers here don't have other options or a way to get home. I do. I have something I can return to in the US, but I have to be back by August and I have to give notice soon. I also have friends and family in the states and Korea who will help me.

And as I said, I'm trying to work this out with my school but I'm preparing for what I need to do in case it turns ugly (as I mentioned it did for another teacher).

I would appreciate responses that actually answer my questions instead of assuming that I'm just running from the culture or running home to mommy. I have no reason to keep a job that risks my health when I have other options and when I can easily return to Korea later.

Dalton · Joined: 26 Mar 2003

Culture shock is pretty subtle. If you start to think Koreans can read your mind, you'll know for sure. I believe it strikes about 6 weeks in give or take a week. Short temper, paranoia, other symptoms that creep up on you. Read about it.

IIRC one can buy sprays to deal with mold. IIRC mold or some molds can be hazardous to one's health. Your complaint is legitimate IMHO. You may have to take some (inexpensive) steps to deal with it on your own. The school might appreciate that you did this and ran into a wall (if that happens). They may be more likely to help if you've tried whatever you could first.

Hogwons can be worn down by small, unrealistic complaints about housing over the years and pretty much close their ears, missing important, legitimate issues.

Koreans may believe that things like molds, insect infestations are a result of foreign lifestyle and (reflexively) blame you for such things. Along the lines of the notion that AIDS is a foreigner disease for example. The funniest one I've heard is that only foreigners sweat.

So Google the mold and see if you can buy a cheap spray. Let them know that it is a health concern and you are taking some actions and will keep them apprised of your efforts.

Hope this helps.

robbie_davies · Joined: 16 Jun 2013

3rdplaceRobot · Joined: 30 Jun 2013

I know culture shock. This has nothing to do with culture shock. I also know about maintenance and renovation. This mold is in the drywall, which has to be replaced in order to get rid of it. You cannot get it out any other way.

I do not want to leave Korea and I do not want to leave my job. I came here for specific reasons and would prefer to stay, but I won't risk my health over it. I already said the wallpaper isn't the issue, and the fact that you keep sticking on that shows that you aren't reading anything. I don't need a nice place to live but I do need a place that isn't going to make me sick. I've worked for more than enough questionable employers and lived in more than enough substandard housing; I don't need the specific experience of doing it for a hagwon.

I've talked to the other teachers about how they feel about the school, their living situations, and what they plan to do at the end of their contracts, so yes, I do know how they feel and why they're staying. I may not know everything, but I know a lot more than you do. I'm also not keen on running because it could really screw over the other teachers. I'm not a 'get mine and go' kind of person, nor do I just quit jobs because I don't like them (especially if quitting is going to be a pretty involved process, like leaving in the dead of night and flying to a different continent).

I'm not being melodramatic. I've already said that the teacher before me got sick from living here, and I know enough about my own health to know that it's not worth it if this doesn't get resolved.

I am asking for answers to my questions so I'll be able to make a decision on the spot if necessary. If I had more time, I would wait, but I don't. Just because I'm keeping my eye on the door doesn't mean I've already decided to bolt.

tophatcat · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Location: under the hat

Sir robbie has painted himself into a corner. He is making statements like the OP is wanting to have his home remodeled when clearly the OP is wanting to have a severe mold problem corrected.

you have failed Sir robbie

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

You say you want to work it out but you also can only give 30 days because you have travel plans. Why do you have travel plans when you just started a job a week ago?

Sounds like you were looking for an excuse to leave this job. As for the mold, tell the school you need a mold free apartment to continue working there as it is not suitable living conditions. If they say no then they aren't holding to their end of the contract and just ask for a LOR and tell them you will report them to the labor board. They will find you a mold free place.

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

also to answer your questions, which are non-questions in my opinion..

A "midnight run" by definition is running away from the obligations you are questioning. So no you wont have to pay them back because instead of paying them back you fled the country, that is why people run. It's pretty cowardly esp for someone who says they have been here awhile.