Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sireno]

I am curious how this works from a legal standpoint at Hagwons and Public Schools. I may start teaching in February and need to leave in the end of August. If my contract states I need to give a 30 day prior notice before leaving does that mean if I start on say February 20th, then July 20th give them my 30 day notice to leave on August 20th, what happens? I am particularly interested due to the airfare. Will I need to pay back the airfare for coming to Korea? How will it work with Hagwons? What about Public schools? Thanks.

[ttompatz]

The good news is that it is strictly a contractual matter and is negotiable with your employer.

The bad news is that it is strictly a contractual matter and is not covered in any labor or immigration law.

With a hagwon you may or may not have to repay it and their interpretation of when you have met your obligations for repayment vary from employer to employer; make damned sure the contract is very specific as to repayment terms.

With a public school (provided you are hired under one of the main recruitment programs and not a local hire) the contracts are less subject to interpretation at the local level and there is recourse if you have problems. If you have completed 6 months of your contract you should not have to repay your airfare or settlement allowance.

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[YTMND]

[Sireno]

So it's all contractual huh? Let's assume I have a contract that requires a 30 day notice for resigning and when finishing 6 months then I keep the initial airfare allowance. I start on February 20th, give my 30 day notice on July 20th, and leave on August 20th... would I be in the clear under those circumstances?

The reason behind all this? I will probably start grad school in September. I'd like to leave on good terms is the reason and not create havoc at my school for everyone else.