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TNizzle
Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Seoul via: Indiana
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 Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:11 pm Post subject: School is trying to black list and deport me! |
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What can I do to stop this?
Essentially my story is this:
The recruiter lied about everything about my job.
I explained to my head teacher that the job isn't what the contract says it is. It's not even close. The school still tries to enforce things that "they told the recruiter and that should have been told to me." Except I was never told this stuff, nor is it in the contract.
I explain to my head teacher on day #2 that this job is not what I agreed to. He agreed to give me a release letter. I got the release letter and then walked out of work when I was told that I would not be paid for any days of work and that the school was going to sue me for only being at the school for 3 days.
I went home to pack my stuff, and my head teacher knocked on my door and we argued in my room for 30 more minutes and then he called the recruiter and we argued about them lying to me.
We had a meeting face to face with all of us. And the school is suing the agency. And the school wants to deport me from Korea and black list me. I want to work at another Hagwon.
I have offered to pay back my flight money, or even work as a volunteer. In my free time, and the school refuses...
What are my options? |
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Chris.Quigley
Joined: 20 Apr 2009
Location: Belfast. N Ireland
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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My opinion...
You disappear. Pack your things and buy a plane ticket to China tonight. Tell no one that you are leaving. The moment they get wind that you are leaving, you are screwed. Don't tell them.
They cannot deport you. Your Hagwon cannot ban you from coming to Korea again. You cannot sue what you cannot find.
Do not give them any money. Obviously they are not willing to work this thing out.
Get on a plane, leave Korea (go to China), come back on a tourist visa and look for a new job in person.
As for the "blacklist" I don't know anything about that. My guess is that is their way of strong arming you into doing what they want. They are likely just bluffing. But, you could just look for a job in China!
Edit: Indirect I guess they can "deport you" by having your visa cancelled. But if you are on a plane to China, that wont matter! Come back in a week on a 3 month tourist visa and they cannot touch you! (Use the tourist visa to interview for a new job) |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Chris.Quigley wrote: |
My opinion...
You disappear. Pack your things and buy a plane ticket to China tonight. Tell no one that you are leaving. The moment they get wind that you are leaving, you are screwed. Don't tell them.
They cannot deport you. Your Hagwon cannot ban you from coming to Korea again. You cannot sue what you cannot find.
Do not give them any money. Obviously they are not willing to work this thing out.
Get on a plane, leave Korea (go to China), come back on a tourist visa and look for a new job in person.
As for the "blacklist" I don't know anything about that. My guess is that is their way of strong arming you into doing what they want. They are likely just bluffing. But, you could just look for a job in China!
Edit: Indirect I guess they can "deport you" by having your visa cancelled. But if you are on a plane to China, that wont matter! Come back in a week on a 3 month tourist visa and they cannot touch you! (Use the tourist visa to interview for a new job) |
I will add to this and say that you need to cancel your own visa yourself before leaving. I have heard that otherwise they cannot issue you with another visa until the current one expires. Go to immigration today with your LOR and make sure that your visa is cancelled and get an exit order. Then get a flight for asap and leave the country. Make sure you have all the relevant paperwork to apply for a new visa / job and then, yes, spend some time either in a third country or back home and reapply.
I might also say that given you have had one bad experience, it might pay to not go for a hagwon position this time around and risk a repeat occurrence. Apply for a public school position and then after your first year in-country you will be better placed to know what you are letting yourself in for with regards to accepting a position with a hagwon (which are the good ones recommended by friends, which are the bad ones etc.), if you should choose to stay for a 2nd year and still want to move into the private sector.
N.B. Given you've only been there for a few days, they'd have to work really hard to try and get you in trouble with the authorities on trumped up charges. If they are that bad, they probably aren't even paying all the taxes they owe the govt. and likely it is not in their interest to cause problems for you as it might end up coming back on them. This is just huff and bluster...they are trying to scare you into staying, shutting up and accepting their conditions. You leave, they really can't do anything....unless they paid for your flight there and you run off without paying it. Maybe others will advise you differently but this might be the only thing that will get you in trouble.
EDIT: I see that you have offered to repay the flight money. If they are not even accepting this, then cut and run. If you end up back in Korea and (in the unlikely event) they track you down and you are contacted by the authorities then just offer to pay up in full. If I were you, I might even give them one more try with repaying the flight......write them an email. If they don't respond, you have electronic, date-marked proof that you offered to repay and they didn't take you up on the offer.
Finally, if I might ask.....what sort of things have they lied to you about and that make you want to leave so quickly? |
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TNizzle
Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Seoul via: Indiana
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| English Matt wrote: |
| Chris.Quigley wrote: |
My opinion...
You disappear. Pack your things and buy a plane ticket to China tonight. Tell no one that you are leaving. The moment they get wind that you are leaving, you are screwed. Don't tell them.
They cannot deport you. Your Hagwon cannot ban you from coming to Korea again. You cannot sue what you cannot find.
Do not give them any money. Obviously they are not willing to work this thing out.
Get on a plane, leave Korea (go to China), come back on a tourist visa and look for a new job in person.
As for the "blacklist" I don't know anything about that. My guess is that is their way of strong arming you into doing what they want. They are likely just bluffing. But, you could just look for a job in China!
Edit: Indirect I guess they can "deport you" by having your visa cancelled. But if you are on a plane to China, that wont matter! Come back in a week on a 3 month tourist visa and they cannot touch you! (Use the tourist visa to interview for a new job) |
I will add to this and say that you need to cancel your own visa yourself before leaving. I have heard that otherwise they cannot issue you with another visa until the current one expires. Go to immigration today with your LOR and make sure that your visa is cancelled and get an exit order. Then get a flight for asap and leave the country. Make sure you have all the relevant paperwork to apply for a new visa / job and then, yes, spend some time either in a third country or back home and reapply.
I might also say that given you have had one bad experience, it might pay to not go for a hagwon position this time around and risk a repeat occurrence. Apply for a public school position and then after your first year in-country you will be better placed to know what you are letting yourself in for with regards to accepting a position with a hagwon (which are the good ones recommended by friends, which are the bad ones etc.), if you should choose to stay for a 2nd year and still want to move into the private sector.
N.B. Given you've only been there for a few days, they'd have to work really hard to try and get you in trouble with the authorities on trumped up charges. If they are that bad, they probably aren't even paying all the taxes they owe the govt. and likely it is not in their interest to cause problems for you as it might end up coming back on them. This is just huff and bluster...they are trying to scare you into staying, shutting up and accepting their conditions. You leave, they really can't do anything....unless they paid for your flight there and you run off without paying it. Maybe others will advise you differently but this might be the only thing that will get you in trouble.
EDIT: I see that you have offered to repay the flight money. If they are not even accepting this, then cut and run. If you end up back in Korea and (in the unlikely event) they track you down and you are contacted by the authorities then just offer to pay up in full. If I were you, I might even give them one more try with repaying the flight......write them an email. If they don't respond, you have electronic, date-marked proof that you offered to repay and they didn't take you up on the offer.
Finally, if I might ask.....what sort of things have they lied to you about and that make you want to leave so quickly? |
1. The job is at the wrong subway station.
2. My housing is at the wrong subway station.
3. The working hours are wrong.
4. I am to teach at a different school 30 minutes away on Friday.
5. I did not receive an orientation.
6. I was threatened being told I would not be paid.
7. I was told that the school was going to sue me
So I left... |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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| TNizzle wrote: |
| English Matt wrote: |
| Chris.Quigley wrote: |
My opinion...
You disappear. Pack your things and buy a plane ticket to China tonight. Tell no one that you are leaving. The moment they get wind that you are leaving, you are screwed. Don't tell them.
They cannot deport you. Your Hagwon cannot ban you from coming to Korea again. You cannot sue what you cannot find.
Do not give them any money. Obviously they are not willing to work this thing out.
Get on a plane, leave Korea (go to China), come back on a tourist visa and look for a new job in person.
As for the "blacklist" I don't know anything about that. My guess is that is their way of strong arming you into doing what they want. They are likely just bluffing. But, you could just look for a job in China!
Edit: Indirect I guess they can "deport you" by having your visa cancelled. But if you are on a plane to China, that wont matter! Come back in a week on a 3 month tourist visa and they cannot touch you! (Use the tourist visa to interview for a new job) |
I will add to this and say that you need to cancel your own visa yourself before leaving. I have heard that otherwise they cannot issue you with another visa until the current one expires. Go to immigration today with your LOR and make sure that your visa is cancelled and get an exit order. Then get a flight for asap and leave the country. Make sure you have all the relevant paperwork to apply for a new visa / job and then, yes, spend some time either in a third country or back home and reapply.
I might also say that given you have had one bad experience, it might pay to not go for a hagwon position this time around and risk a repeat occurrence. Apply for a public school position and then after your first year in-country you will be better placed to know what you are letting yourself in for with regards to accepting a position with a hagwon (which are the good ones recommended by friends, which are the bad ones etc.), if you should choose to stay for a 2nd year and still want to move into the private sector.
N.B. Given you've only been there for a few days, they'd have to work really hard to try and get you in trouble with the authorities on trumped up charges. If they are that bad, they probably aren't even paying all the taxes they owe the govt. and likely it is not in their interest to cause problems for you as it might end up coming back on them. This is just huff and bluster...they are trying to scare you into staying, shutting up and accepting their conditions. You leave, they really can't do anything....unless they paid for your flight there and you run off without paying it. Maybe others will advise you differently but this might be the only thing that will get you in trouble.
EDIT: I see that you have offered to repay the flight money. If they are not even accepting this, then cut and run. If you end up back in Korea and (in the unlikely event) they track you down and you are contacted by the authorities then just offer to pay up in full. If I were you, I might even give them one more try with repaying the flight......write them an email. If they don't respond, you have electronic, date-marked proof that you offered to repay and they didn't take you up on the offer.
Finally, if I might ask.....what sort of things have they lied to you about and that make you want to leave so quickly? |
1. The job is at the wrong subway station.
2. My housing is at the wrong subway station.
3. The working hours are wrong.
4. I am to teach at a different school 30 minutes away on Friday.
5. I did not receive an orientation.
6. I was threatened being told I would not be paid.
7. I was told that the school was going to sue me
So I left... |
Well number 4 breaks the condition of your visa anyhow. Don't worry, these clowns aren't going to get you in trouble. If they willing to break the law with regards to your visa, I would imagine things like their book-keeping, paying pension and healthcare contributions for their employees, and a lot else is shady as well. They don't want the authorities sniffing around their business.
Try and conduct any conversations with them about this through email from now on. Get written proof of the sorts of things you are telling me above. Bait them....ask them in the email to confirm that they want you to work at another school on a Friday. You have the contract, if you can get them to confirm in writing things that go against the contract (and in the case of working at another location against Korean immigration law) then you can cover your back if they do try to sue you for breach of contract. You need as much stuff as possible written down.....proof for later on should you need it.
I also reiterate that you should offer to repay the flight (via email), but get down to immigration now....I mean get on a bus now and cancel your visa and get your exit order. Immediately thereafter book a flight....unfortunately you can't go direct to China like Chris suggested as you probably don't have a visa, nor do you have the time to apply for one. Take a plane to Taiwan (EVA Airlines are cheap) or book a flight back home.
Get your bags packed and be ready to go at any given moment, as you just don't know when the hagwon owner is going to come over to your place and kick you out. If this happens before you are able to take your flight out of the country, take a taxi to Sinchon (I assume you are in Seoul?) and stay at a cheap love motel there.
Ha, just realised it's Saturday morning where you are....well, guess you'll have to wait until Monday morning for immigration. If I was you I might make plans to move out to that love motel this weekend. |
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Chris.Quigley
Joined: 20 Apr 2009
Location: Belfast. N Ireland
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Haha, hey Matt! I see that you are just as bad as me... 1.5 years later and I am still lost in Korea.
Yeah, Matt added a really good point. You should cancel your own visa before you leave... Otherwise you have to wait to get back into the country on an E2 visa. I think you can cancel it at the airport? Especially if they are giving you a letter of release. |
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bobrocket
Joined: 26 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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Just out of interest........
If your employer owns multiple schools are you allowed to work at any of them or are you restricted to one place? |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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| bobrocket wrote: |
Just out of interest........
If your employer owns multiple schools are you allowed to work at any of them or are you restricted to one place? |
What it says on the tin. Your visa allows you to work for a school, not a man. If the owner owns several schools, I believe he would have to get immigration to sign off on you working at another location. Otherwise, both you and he are breaking the law. |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Chris.Quigley wrote: |
Haha, hey Matt! I see that you are just as bad as me... 1.5 years later and I am still lost in Korea.
Yeah, Matt added a really good point. You should cancel your own visa before you leave... Otherwise you have to wait to get back into the country on an E2 visa. I think you can cancel it at the airport? Especially if they are giving you a letter of release. |
You can get your ARC cancelled at the airport, but not so certain about the visa itself. As this guy doesn't have an ARC it might be best if he checks out immigration first. If the airport can't cancel the visa and he finds out only hours before his flight then he might end up stuffed with regards to being able to come back to Korea anytime soon. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| English Matt wrote: |
| bobrocket wrote: |
Just out of interest........
If your employer owns multiple schools are you allowed to work at any of them or are you restricted to one place? |
What it says on the tin. Your visa allows you to work for a school, not a man. If the owner owns several schools, I believe he would have to get immigration to sign off on you working at another location. Otherwise, both you and he are breaking the law. |
That's how it's always been.
But, probably not related to this topic - can't EPIC/GEPIK farm people out to their different schools? |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Captain Corea wrote: |
| English Matt wrote: |
| bobrocket wrote: |
Just out of interest........
If your employer owns multiple schools are you allowed to work at any of them or are you restricted to one place? |
What it says on the tin. Your visa allows you to work for a school, not a man. If the owner owns several schools, I believe he would have to get immigration to sign off on you working at another location. Otherwise, both you and he are breaking the law. |
That's how it's always been.
But, probably not related to this topic - can't EPIC/GEPIK farm people out to their different schools? |
They can, but then they are government programs, and it's the govt. who makes the regulations in the first place. I would imagine that it's a given that immi. will authorise teachers working for these programs to work for other schools. |
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bobrocket
Joined: 26 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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| English Matt wrote: |
| bobrocket wrote: |
Just out of interest........
If your employer owns multiple schools are you allowed to work at any of them or are you restricted to one place? |
What it says on the tin. Your visa allows you to work for a school, not a man. If the owner owns several schools, I believe he would have to get immigration to sign off on you working at another location. Otherwise, both you and he are breaking the law. |
Cheers for that.
Negotiation skills seems to be the key in Korea.
Maybe you weren't being flexible enough?
1, 2, 3 seems to put you in a good position to ask for more money.
4, For me that's no problem, I have a good boss, chances are if your a good teacher the schools will try and share you, there seems to be a shortage of staff at the moment.
I don't get paid extra for commuting but I never lose pay if I need time off.
5, Whats this?, never had one so can't help you
6, I wouldn't work, you only go to work to get paid, I'm sure someone will say they do it for the kids or something but not many people would go to work if they weren't going to get paid.
7, I wouldn't get to this point (refer 6).
Not sure how the visa runs work but I know people are still being sent to Japan for visa runs, could be worth checking out. |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| bobrocket wrote: |
| English Matt wrote: |
| bobrocket wrote: |
Just out of interest........
If your employer owns multiple schools are you allowed to work at any of them or are you restricted to one place? |
What it says on the tin. Your visa allows you to work for a school, not a man. If the owner owns several schools, I believe he would have to get immigration to sign off on you working at another location. Otherwise, both you and he are breaking the law. |
Cheers for that.
Negotiation skills seems to be the key in Korea.
Maybe you weren't being flexible enough?
1, 2, 3 seems to put you in a good position to ask for more money.
4, For me that's no problem, I have a good boss, chances are if your a good teacher the schools will try and share you, there seems to be a shortage of staff at the moment.
I don't get paid extra for commuting but I never lose pay if I need time off.
5, Whats this?, never had one so can't help you
6, I wouldn't work, you only go to work to get paid, I'm sure someone will say they do it for the kids or something but not many people would go to work if they weren't going to get paid.
7, I wouldn't get to this point (refer 6).
Not sure how the visa runs work but I know people are still being sent to Japan for visa runs, could be worth checking out. |
Flexible enough? Yeah I guess he didn't bend over enough, your right on that.
1,2,3 - You think somebody who has just moved to a new country, living in their employer provided housing, on a visa that ties them to said employer is in a good position to negotiate? You should try speaking to some present or past CDI employees and find out how one-sided the negotiation is in situations such as this.
4 - Breaking the law is no problem for you eh? Until you get caught that is.
A shortage of staff?.....you must be in the middle of the countryside.
5 - You don't know what an orientation is? Have you ever had a job before?
6 - Self-evident. Let's hope it doesn't happen to you in the future eh
7 - That remains to be seen.
Yeah, why doesn't he get a flight to Japan, possibly the most expensive country in the region.....whilst he's burning through his savings he can also take a tour of Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. Visa runs to Japan are only for people who already have a job offer here in Korea. The OP is leaving a job at the moment and is already on a visa that needs to be cancelled. |
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BackRow
Joined: 28 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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I feel for you man, the same thing happened to me recently. Was told I'd be teaching one place and once I got there it was somewhere else. That along with several other issues and I was gone.
Speaking on the topic of visa cancellation, my E-2 visa was stamped at the airport with blue circular 'departed' stamp. Does that mean my E-2 visa was automatically cancelled and in theory if I wanted to reapply for one (doubtful after this experience) I could before the original 13 month expiry date? |
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schlotzy
Joined: 10 Mar 2010
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure going to immigration to cancel your visa is unnecessary. I think you can just hand in your ARC card to immigration on the way out and tell them you've quit your job.
That goes for the other poster whose passport was stamped blue. Did you hand in your arc card on the way out? |
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