Korean Job Discussion Forums

[antifan]

Hey guys!

I am a F4 holding gyopo, and I have been working at a hagwon since July 2011. When I started working, I didn't need a FBI check, so I came to Korea and immediately started working.

My hagwon moved in the winter and told me to get an FBI check, so I tried and I tried from Korea, but it took such a long time! Every little thing that is required set me back a few days to a week, like getting a cashier's check, or getting an international stamp for my return envelope.

The biggest setback was when my fingerprints were rejected and I had to start all over again....

Now, its only 3 more months until the end of my contract and I am still waiting for the FBI check. My boss keeps asking me when it will come as she thinks that the process is all up to me and I'm being lazy about it.

She is saying that there is some fine costing 3,000,000 won, but won't give me more details than that. I told her well if I have to quit, then I will have to quit because there's nothing more I can do. I think she wants to keep me around because the kids really like me.

What should I do? All I want to do is show up and do what my contract says for the last three months so I can get the severance and airplane ticket back.

Should I just keep working?

Should I contact ATEK or some lawyer?

Should I just go home and be happy that I'm not in Korea?

Can anyone give me any advice?



***

On a different note, she said I should take care of the mold in my apartment and unclog my bathroom! When I asked how she knew about those things, she said the apartment owner came in one day for some reason.... but I'll save this for another post.

***



Thanks!

[plchron]

there should be some sort of form you can sign 'promising' that the results are on the way, for immigration. Also, show them the rejection letter.

[YTMND]

Your visa issue is not up to us to control any more than it is for you to satisfy your hagwon owner's impatience. I'd say skip this and address the apartment stuff.

As for the mold issue, how old is the apartment? If it is new try to clean it, if not, it's not your problem.

As for the clogged pipes, is it with the sink or the bathtub? If it is both, then I highly doubt it is your fault. They must be channeling into the same pipe (which is the one that is actually clogged) behind the walls somewhere and it shouldn't be your responsibility.

If it is the sink, just take a coat hanger and fish around, run water and use the pressure to push whatever is stuck through the piping. Keep it running for a while so the water pushes it all the way through.

If it is the bathroom, then there is a small cover near the drain, you just turn it a little and the cover comes off, and you will have to remove nasties that are there.

These last two things are easy to do and not worth getting repair work done. If you have tried all this and it still doesn't work and you believe you aren't at fault, then it looks like the school is looking for ways to not pay you your final salary.

Try the easy fix approach first, if not, plan your exit. Kill two kimchis with one pepper.

[ttompatz]

The FBI check is NOT a visa issue for someone on an F4. Whether and/or when will have NO bearing on your stay in Korea or working at anything other than as a teacher.

It is MOE issue. IF you want to stay teaching you will have to get it. You will also need proof of education (degree with apostille) and a medical (just like the guys on an E2) if you want to stay teaching.

Get them or change professions.

.

[Pablo]

I've cleared multiple problematic drains by pouring a significant amount of undiluted plain-old chlorine bleach in and letting it sit a long time. It's worked every time for me. I don't know about the environmental impact, but it still seems less caustic/toxic than Draino type products.

[antifan]

Thanks for the reply you guys.

I wonder what the hagwon owners know of this whole FBI check process.

Its frustrating because I feel like the hagwon owner thinks I'm slacking off or lying when I tell her its coming in 3 months! She asks me everyday.

I am thinking of changing jobs just to round out how much I wanted to save this year.

Does anyone know if an F-4 holder needs a FBI check to teach adults?

Well the thing about the apartment was that it really creeped me out to know someone came into my place when I wasn't there!

Am I being dramatic?

When the owner told me my sinks were clogged, I did not care at all that my sink was clogged, I just thought how the hell does she know this... then she admitted someone came into my place... I was shocked.

[YTMND]

[isitts]

[antifan]

Hey isitts!

Thanks for the tip on calling the congressman. I think I might try it.

As for why I'm using the cashier check, I don't have a credit card, and I can't use someone else's credit card without getting their signature.

I guess I just feel bad asking someone to let me use their credit card information in the international mail system.

My banks never heard of cashiers checks or money orders so I had to call in a favor from a friends in the States.

But really, I think I've just given up on this whole thing.

Explaining to my students is going to tough.

'Well I really like you guys, but the Man (or in korea AHJUSHI) says I got to go!'

Has anyone else ever had to get a FBI check mid contract?

[r122925]

I have some questions about these new laws (or rules, or policies, or whatever they actually are) concerning FBI checks for F visa holders.

At what point can they actually fire you for not turning one in? (What is the deadline?)

What would the grounds for termination be? (contract doesn't say i need to provide criminal check of any kind)

Do they have to give you 30 days notice?

Would they have to pay severance?

[YTMND]

[r122925]

[ttompatz]

[isitts]

[isitts]

Double post