Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zackman815]

I'm new here to Korea (less than a month), but already, my hagwon has been disregarding my contract. I arrived on a Sunday night, and I was teaching classes on my own Monday morning. In my contract, it says that I am guaranteed 3 to 5 days for an orientation period. Nope, never got that whatsoever.

Also, my contract says I will teach six 40-minute classes per day, not to exceed 30 classes a week. I've been teaching at least 7 to 10 a day, totaling 40 classes in my first week. And this was with zero training, zero orientation, zero shadowing even.

The part where the contract that is really shady is that it says I don't get overtime unless I work more than 180 classes per month, which doesn't add up. So because of that last number, I think I may be screwed? But I've been given a different number verbally by my supervisor, (135 class hours).

Now, I was willing to accept this situation at first, because I expected to be screwed with a little bit just because it's a hagwon. But they crossed the line when they gave me a written reprimand today because I didn't hand out some little booklet to one class that they never told me to hand out! Apparently parents complained that I didn't hand it out, so the blame fell to me. It's my fourth week here, and I already got written up? For something I was never told about? I'm not liking where this is headed.

So what are my options? I am willing to try to work this out and stay with the school, but I want to protect myself from getting punished for things I shouldn't be held responsible for, especially considering that they never gave me training and that they're making me teach way more classes than the contract allows.

Should I seek legal help so soon? I haven't even got my first paycheck yet, but I don't like how this working relationship has started.

(I apologize if this question has been asked alot before. I did some searching and didn't find anything specifically to hagwons not respecting contracts.)

[interestedinhanguk]

Welcome to Korea!

Sounds like a poor introduction to the place, but it happens to most (despite the promises of training/orientation). They may even try to make an excuse for that, like when the same thing happened at my school and I mentioned it later. They told me that the Korean teacher telling me my schedule and what books to use was my orientation.

About the 180 classes. 120 teaching hours is pretty standard. Your classes are 40 minutes each. 180classes * 40 minutes each=7200 minutes a month. 7200 minutes / 60 minutes in an hour=120 hours. You're teaching 120 hours a month.

There's a conflict in the contract itself, which, honestly, is something you should have looked for. Too late now, I know. But be aware that the 120 hours a month, is fairly normal for hagwons.

From the overall sounds of it, you might be in a for a tough year (getting written up for that little thing). I would say give it a little more time.

[Dedeko]

My hagwon was a day late in not paying me.

I didn't go to work the day after I am supposed to be paid. They called me and asked where I am. Very simply state, "You no pay, I no work". Don't know if that will work with you, I play hard ball, and am not afraid to pack my poop and leave, and I let them know.

You should realize that they do not actually write, understand, reference, or even care about your contract.

http://www.moel.go.kr/

Ministry of labor website there can help you.

Sit them down, make them understand that this contract is basically a law to us foreigners. What happens when you break the law? People call the related government official. Also, you can get in touch with your recruiter and he/she will relay this to them. My recruiter was actually on my side, and agreed with me.

Overall, do NOT let them do anything outside the contract, if they do you call their attention to it IMMEDIATELY. If you don't the Koreans will assume it's ok and continue to take advantage of you.

Whip out the contract you signed, do NOT let them take it, and say this is only what I am working.


I am a very heavy handed jaded person though

[WadRUG'naDoo]

Tell them that the contract contradicts itself in the teaching hours category and that you'll stick w/ the 30 forty-minute classes a week. Anything more is OT.

Tell them that if they don't take away your written warning that you'll go directly to the labor board.

Don't flinch. If they start being stubborn, don't be afraid to give them crap. Only so much a person can take.

They don't agree? Go to the labor board and file a complaint. Give them notice and look for another job.

[Radius]

[Dedeko]

that was about 4 months ago. I currently have 4 months to go as of December.

I want them to fire me I have my fall back lined up locally, and I am not afraid to let them know any of this.

My school is all women and I am a man so this probably has something to do with it as well. Also, the first foreigner teacher here. I sat them down and explained that this contract is my "law" and do not go outside the law.