Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JacktheCat]

My hogwan boss has decided, out of the blue, to dishonour the Korean teachers' contracts and instead issue them with new, lower-paying contracts.

Quite rightly the Korean teachers aren't taking this too well, and their good faith attempts to reason with the boss having failed, are threatening to go on strike and not show up for work tomorrow.

Was wondering if any other posters had a situation like this happen at their school. What happened and what was the outcoming? What is the foreign teachers obligations, legal status, etc in all this.

[just because]

The teachers at my last hagwon threatened to strike but they didn't.

They need a unified front as it takes one teacher to come in to stuff it up and for them all to lose face. There just isn't the long term job security and it is such a revolving door job that they just think it is better to wait it out the last few months or so then to upset the apple cart.

he did find out about the plan though and backed off a lot apparently.

I hope they succeed in shafting him. if only more hagwon teachers had the balls to stand up and be counted.

[ryleeys]

If the teachers at my school were treated like that and went on strike, I would strike with them...

I don't need this job as much as I need my sense of morality.

[JacktheCat]

Well, the Korean teachers did show up this afternoon.

However there was a giant shouting matching between the Korean teachers and the boss in which various desk objects and swear words were thrown. Two of the teachers stormed out and the rest are in really bad mood today.

Later two big beefy man showed up and had a private "conversation" with my boss in his office. Again with a lot of shouting and swearing.

And now there are rumours that the foreign teachers pay will be late this month.

This cat has seen the writting on the wall and it is not good.


Anyone know of any good jobs available to start soon? I have a CELTA and four years teaching experience (one in Korea and one in a university in China). My only requirements at the moment are getting paid on time and in full. (something that hasn't happened to me yet in Korea)

[The Lemon]

[hellofaniceguy]

No reason for pay not being on time. None. In my hakwons days I also let it be known from the get go that I'll do my best, be on time, prepared, keep students happy, etc. but I want my pay in my hand when I walk into school before the start of my first class on payday. If payday falls on a weekend, I want it on a Friday when I walk into school. If payday falls on a holiday, I want it the day before. No pay, I'm going home. If you come at me with an excuse, my ears are deaf. Show me the green. I ain't playing no game with you. You run this business for money and I work for only one reason, money. I also told new teachers to mention the same thing when signing a contract and have it added to the contract.
On the striking teachers...
korea is one protesting and striking country! Everyday some group in korea is protesting or striking about something! And you mean to tell me that a lone hakwon can't get a few KT's or FT's to stick together when the school owner is sticking it to them!!!!!!!!!
Come on, wake up KT's! Band together! It won't get better as long as you let the school abuse you! Why let yourself be used?
If the KT's keep walking out on the job...owners will wise up! Think about this, you walk out, the next school will hire you because their teachers walked out also. The school needs teachers! You keep the revolving door rolling and parents will get tired of this B.S. and the school will suffer! Students will also tire of the B.S.
Schools want teachers to stick around. Leaving is bad for business. Wise up KT's!

[paperbag princess]

hey, good luck at your school, that sounds rough!!!

[just because]

I've never been paid late either.

If it ever happened (i could hack a day or two) I just wouldn't go to work. They'll pay quick then.

[JacktheCat]

Things have calmed down of late. The boss appears to have made some sort of secret deal with the Korean teachers. They all showed up for work today. But they are all in a really really bad mood and are putting the absolute bare minimum of work into their teaching. (guess who has to pick up the slack).

The rumours of late pay and contract changes for the foreign teachers, remain that, just rumours. We will see come the next pay period.

In the meantime I am updating my escape plan (something every teacher in Korea should have) and saving up some extra money.

Taking it one day at a time.