Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sireno]

To give you my background info. I came to Korea with no visa, though I taught two years in the past here. I signed the contract last week, but they have not submitted my documents to immigration yet. I signed up last week and had 4 days of coming to work for several hours (I thought it was pretty ridiculous/stupid and annoying -_- ) unpaid for observation and familiarization. I did the first day of real teaching today and to put it frankly, so far things don't seem very good.

The first day at this hagwon and it's pretty crazy hectic. It was really unorganized and pitiful. There were about 3 new people quickly hired over the weekend to start today also. It's at a franchise chain, but with relatively new change in management and they are trying to change a bunch of stuff apparently.

Otherwise my housing is really smokey as someone must be smoking next to or under me which stinks it up. I asked about that at work and they said they would talk to the landlord ... I know there isn't much they can do.

Here comes my conundrum. I gave them my documents and they have not submitted them to immigration yet. If I want I could get them back and quit. My previous employer said she would sponsor my E2 visa and so I could do part time stuff anywhere. I also have a place to stay for free. Should I get my documents back and try to get a job somewhere else or what do you think? I know I don't have more than one or two days to figure it out. I asked my boss today for my documents as I want to make copies of them, though she seemed suspicious. She must give them to me? Though I did sign a contract with them.

In need of some help, thanks.

[Kepler]

[young_clinton]

[CentralCali]

[Quack Addict]

[watergirl]

I'm wondering about this as well. I've also taken a new job, where they have not taken me to immigration yet, and, have lied to me about several things. For example, me and my fellow K teacher have to teach 8 classes in four hours for only 25 minutes each. Each class is very large, at about 15 students on average (so I think hw checking will take about 10 mins for each class), the school was much further than told, and my K teacher who really organizes everything (its an after school) is seriously quite bad, disorganized and really seems to be a bit clueless. She has only ordered a reader for 1 class, for example, for the next three months. Despite my helping her with a lot of the paperwork, has been unable to typ up a class list, never mind even bringing any markers etc (which I'm doing). The company, it seems, does nothing for it's teachers and does not even have money I think for basic supplies. I think only people doing after school programs would understand the situation.
I have done two contracts here fully but really, don't know what to do either. I am considering just ofering the company to a)work for the next 2 weeks until they find someone or b) telling them i will only sign a 3 month contract at immigration.
Trouble is it is an afterschool program where the principal is the only one who can sign the contract for immigration (which hasn't been done yet) and I think the company will be worried about looking badly to the school.
I would never 'take-off' but I'm worried about them signing my e2 actually, because the cos now can decide not to give u a LOR and then u can't work.
Maybe it will sort itself out, but

But really, the co is a bit of a disastor.

[Dodge7]

[Sireno]

Update

I decided on March 11th and told my boss I would be quitting. I started working on March 4th officially. I agreed to stay a few weeks until they can get a replacement. I am concerned they might not pay me for this ~ month of work that I am doing. Then on the 15th I asked for an advancement of a weeks worth of pay (since I had at that time already worked 2 weeks). The director refused and said I would be paid the normal time next month on the 10th. I have no reason to trust her, though I somewhat believe my manager who assured me I would be paid.

From a legal standpoint I have been working illegally thus far I believe. Yes/No?? I am on a tourist visa and had plans to do a Japan visa run. If my boss decides not to pay me for the month of work, is there anything I can do? Must I just trust them?

[CentralCali]

Yes, you're working illegally. No, you won't get paid. Recourse? Don't make me laugh. You're screwed from the get-go.

Who paid for your trip to Korea? If it was the school, then they knowingly and intentionally broke the law. Now that you've told them you're quitting, don't be surprised when, on your last day there, you're told that you now owe them money for that flight, not to mention "cost of training you, cost of hiring a replacement for you, cost related to housing, etc."

Your biggest mistake was telling the boss when you plan to leave.

[cdninkorea]

I would be tempted to take something in lieu of pay (a computer or something carryable but expensive). Since they've hired you illegally, they are more likely to pay to get their stuff back rather than call the police. I don't know if this is a good idea or not (maybe I should write a legal disclaimer absolving me of any consequences?), but I'd be tempted to do it.

[salutbonjour]

If you are on a tourist visa and teaching illegally, you have zero recourse to get your money. You should not have agreed to further illegal work. Just be happy with the flight money and look for another job.

[World Traveler]

Be careful, OP.
http://monkeysandmountains.com/getting-deported

[CentralCali]

[CentralCali]

[Los Angeloser]