Korean Job Discussion Forums

tremazing87 · Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Location: Washington, DC

(Background)
I've been at my school for 2 years and I was offered a renewal via email a few months ago for a 3rd year. The problem is, I have yet to receive the new contract and my current contract ends tomorrow. I have the original email from my job asking me for my decision to renew my contract as well as the 3 emails from myself (dated 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days before the end of the contract) stating my desire to renew and to sign a new contract.

(Question 1)
My question is whether or not I should go to work the day after my contract is finished if I haven't received a new one.

Technically my visa doesn't expire for another month but from my understanding, immigration still says working outside of a contract, even with time on the visa, isn't okay. I have a coworker who worked for nearly 2 weeks outside of his contract waiting for the school to give him a new one, and this isn't an uncommon thing at my school. I have another coworker who was denied a renewal less than a week before their contract expired because they didn't receive a new background check, but they were never told they needed to do anything to that regard in all of their previous conversations with human resources.

Honestly, part of me doesn't want to show up to work because I want to see what they would do if I didn't. My school (specifically one human resources manager) has been steadily screwing over foreign teachers for quite some time without consequence and it's gone unnoticed by their superiors because almost everyone has been too afraid to stand up for themselves. This is likely my last contract in Korea anyway, I have multiple recommendation letters from supervising teachers, I'm generally well respected at my school and it seems that I have enough documentation to have immigration on my side in this situation. If worse comes to worst, I'm not worried about having to leave, although I'm almost positive the school would give me a new contract eventually if I continued working and immediately if I refused to work without one, but is that a wise decision?

(Question 2)
Also, if they give me a contract, how much time is reasonable to read/consider it before signing. Is it unreasonable for me to ask for 24 hours to read and review the contract before signing it and to have it start the day after I turn it in?

In other words, if they did end up giving me the contract tomorrow, would it be unreasonable for me to ask for 24 hours to look over it before turning it in, therefore still needing that next day off (considering that day as a break between contracts due to their negligence in waiting so late)? From coworkers, I've heard that the new contract has changed considerably from the last and I don't think it's unfair to ask for a short amount of time to think it over.

Porksta · Joined: 05 May 2011

Have you told them that you have not received a contract?

tremazing87 · Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Location: Washington, DC

I've told them. Both in emails and in person.

War Eagle · Joined: 15 Feb 2009

Whatever decision you make, it sounds like you are fed up with this school. I base this off the fact you seem ready to argue over very minor details before you will be committing to a 3rd year.

I say this sincerely and not to troll: maybe you'd be happier finding another school at which to do your 3rd and final year.

peachKitten713 · Joined: 13 May 2013

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

The day after your contract expires, go to immigration and apply for a D10 (there is nothing they can do about it).

Then the choices are yours... find a better job, stay where you are (it becomes their hassle to change you back to an E2) or change countries.

New documents are not needed to extend, change or transfer as long as your ARC has remained valid (E2 or D10).

.

nicwr2002 · Joined: 17 Aug 2011