Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jim_we]

What are the laws on changing employment now. It seems to change all the time. Is there a minimum amount of time you have to work before escaping like the hellhole hakwan I'm in now? I've been here 2 months and am desperate to get out.

It's in the contract that if I give 1 month and they take 1/3 my pay, I can escape. Does anyone know the current law?

[syclick]

Well, you've got to give them advance notice that you're leaving, which is usually written into your contract. The amount of time is usually 1-2 months. However, that's not to say that your boss will be too happy about it.

I don't think there's a legal minimum per se, but I could be very wrong about that.

[matthews_world]

You should give the ligitimate notice.

If you flee, i.e. the midnight run, you won't be able to come back to Korea until the original contract ends, 9 months from now.

Be straight forward. Give 'em time to find a replacement. That's best for both parties.

I heard something about a 4-month rule about quitting a hagwon. Someone got more info on that?

[inkoreaforgood]

Legally, I don't really think there is any advance notice required. However, usually a month notice is given in most cases. Personally, I think it depends alot on your boss, and your relationship with them. But, in any case, whenever you choose to leave a school, it's going to be difficult. The boss feels like you're not living up to your end of the deal, and often expresses it.
At the last hakwon I worked at, before I signed the contract I told the boss that I wanted to leave after 5 months. He said okay, but not before saying that I should take a slight paycut. 3 months in, he seems to think that I will stick around and finish the whole year. Everyone else at the school knows I have a much better job lined up, and that I really want to leave. He stops talking to me for the last 2 months I'm there, except for the occasional hello. Before that, he seemed like a decent guy, that's why I signed a contract with him. But, he ended up being the typical Older Korean male bossman. I thought I was going to have to get tough with him, call in the tax dept. or something. But he came through in the end, even said that I should come and visit sometime, and that I had done a good job !!

[Michelle]

[oneiros]

If I read the OP correctly, he's not asking about notice period.l

He's asking whether there's a minimum length of time you need to have worked at a school if you want to be released and allowed by immigration to get a new visa.

ie. If I work at a school for two months, give my notice, and get my LOR, will immigration still say, "Sorry. You can't have a new visa. You only worked at this place for three months. You have to have worked X months before you can leave a contract."


(I don't know the answer to this. Sorry.)

[sadsac]

There is no minimum requirement regarding how long you work there. You may have to repay an airfare if less than six months, it will depend on your contract. Unless there is a specific stipulation within your contract, you must give 30 days notice. They won't be happy but you will have fulfilled any legal requirements regarding notice.