Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kakichi124]

So here's the situation:

My GF and I have been here since 8/04/12. School (hagwan) has been great so far! Great treatment, paid on time, advance notice of holidays (!), great coworkers/teachers, great big size apartment (albeit a bit old), owners have been very warm and welcoming to GF's parents visiting. So overall, great school and experience so far! Oh, and previous teachers got their plane ride home, same great experience as us.

Now, the school has dropped some students due to a poor teacher that has since been let go, but the total student count is much lower than what this school used to have long before we even showed up. So the owners are looking to cut some costs and have offered us some options.

A. The lease is up on our apartment and rent is going up, so they offered to move us to a nicer place. But now after we leave, they want to switch teacher employment to part time rather than our FT positions. They offered to move us to Itaewon (we leave near Hwarangdae station, near the end of line 6). No compensation for travel expenses.

B. Rather than lower our pay, they've offered to release us from contract a month early, end of June rather than end of July. We still get our severence month pay and plane tickets as usual.

We have no reason to distrust the owners as they've been really great to us. But we came here for the 13 months of pay and leaving a month early without having lined up jobs back home yet was not in those plans. If we wanted to stay another year, they'd be willing to keep us but we cannot stay for several reasons.
Would you leave early or just keep with the contract and see what happens? We do enjoy the school, the environment, and everyone here and don't wish the school to do poorly, but they came into our little meeting "expecting us to agree and say yes". The owners were a little surprised when we asked "What if we say NO and stay until end of July?"

If the tables were turned, they'd expect adherance to contract, so we plan to do the same. We want to stay, so unless they pull something nasty (doubtful!) then we will do so.

What would you do? Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks!!

[ttompatz]

You are aware that, under labor law, they can release you with 30 days notice and no severance or airfare and, unless there is some stipulation to the contrary in your contract, there is precious little you can do about it?

Take what you can and leave gracefully (since they will give you your severance and airfare) or fight and lose it all and leave with a bad taste in your mouth.

.

[alongway]

Any changes to the contract get them in writing and signed, preferably with a witness.

[rollo]

ttompatz called it right. They are playing fair. You are coming out of this okay. they are losing money even if it is no fault of yours, I think you fight this and you will lose and also feel guilty. This could change and often these things work out in the end. Communication if what is important here. Also their FACE must be considered. Try to see the bosses side

[kakichi124]

Alright, thanks everyone. I read through the labor posts and thought through everything, and we'll be putting together the paperwork by Monday to leave by June. Only thing we miss out on is one paycheck.

K