Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SpecialK]

Hi everyone. I am curious about anyone's experiences who have resigned before there contract was up and talked to their boss first. I have been offered 2 gov't jobs back home and I hate the thought of running, and wouldn't choose that option, so I"m curious how things have gone if you took the more decent route of talking to your boss and trying to work out something with them. If I do leave it will be at the 6 month mark, and I understand I would have to pay my own flight home (totally understandable) but I'm curious if they would take the money back for my flight here?

Thanks guys!

[turtlepi1]

You pull a runner you end up getting your last pay-check and don't have to worry about being evicted from your apartment....

You talk to your boss you may end up losing both.

He could request the airfare back...the contract often addresses that...(is there a clause that talks about airfare?)

If my boss was a complete asshole I might consider a runner but generally speaking I would likely sit down with my boss in advance and try to work something out.

I just hope you are able to give him reasonable notice...hard for people to be reasonable if you place them in an unresonable position....


Let the Korean Hagwon Boss bashing begin...

[SpecialK]

My employers have been great to me that is why I would love to sit down and talk to them and be reasonable about it. This is the clause about the airfare:

"In the event that the employee is dismissed, or in the event that the employee voluntarily resigns prior
to the termination of the term of this agreement, employer will pay salary due to date of termination.
Employer will not pay the cost of return transportation to point of departure for employee, nor will
employer pay any severance pay. Further, employer will be entitled to withhold an amount less than or
equivalent to, but not exceeding, the cost of relocation allowance given on arrival in Korea and the cost of
air fare provided for travel to Korea "

Now I understand I would have to pay my way home, and I know this is a contract but I really don't want to have to pay my airfare here. Some people I know will disagree with this but I feel if I've lasted 6 months here than it's somewhat fair. I can totally understand those that would disagree, just my feelings on it. I would be also giving them 3 months notice if I do choose to go and in doing so talk to my bosses before hand. I'm really curious if they will make me pay the ticket over here though by witholding my cheque money?

[bosintang]

[SpecialK]

Thanks. I think I just needed to hear someone else say there might be a possibility they will understand and not make me pay for my ticket here. I know it's the right thing to do, I wouldn't want to leave them stuck. ANd at my school I am the only foreign teacher so I would be leaving them extremely high and dry I think. (Only 2 Korean teachers too).

thanks for your opinion

[Grotto]

It might also be a good idea to lie about your reason for returning home. A job would rile them

Telling them that your sister/father/whatever was in an accident and is in the hospital will get you alot more sympathy and understanding.

[katydid]

I think if you have had a great working relationship with your boss there is no need to lie to them about why you want to go home. I don't know about the airfare thing. Maybe they should pay for your trip here, but you're leaving early by your own choice, so they shouldn't have to pay that. I might have to break my contract a couple weeks early as well, and I won't expect them to buy me a ticket to my new job.

[turtlepi1]

You already know this but the contract says you have to pay for the ticket TO Korea as well. Talk to him explain the reason...in some ways I agree with Grotto about fudging the reason...in other ways...well...I don't know...depends on the man...I told my boss the truth...(new job) it worked out for me.

Now just because the contract says you have to pay it doesn't mean you do just puts you in a lower negotiating position.

Assuming you are giving him quite a bit of notice (and he wants to keep you for that period...) he will likely meet you on some middle ground...

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Just be careful...you can lose alot more than just your plane ticket home and severance. I have talked to a half dozen foreigners who put in their 30 day notice and the bosses all seem to love taking out "recruiter fees" even if you weren't recruited! This has cost the foreigner pretty much their whole last paycheck.
If you get out with only losing your return airfare and severance...you're lucky.
I wouln't do a runner. Only because if you do a runner, you can be reported to immigration and have a "ban" next to your name when you try to come back...sometimes up to 5 years! Also, if you do a runner, some scum director can make serious allegations against you (Ex. you stole from the school)..and you may find police officials in your own country....I heard of this and hope this is rare but it does happen.
Give your proper notice...contact immigration before you leave and show them your resignation letter so you can leave with fullfilling all your obligations. Also, I would lie and say that a family member is sick...let them think that you are "forced" to go home and not going because you struck a better deal. Sick family members might bring out more sympathy in the boss. I know it's wrong to lie and blah, blah...but sometimes in life you gotta look out for No.1 in order to avoid a nasty situation.

[No L]

You're giving 3 months' notice and will leave at the 6 month's mark? That means you've been there about 3 months? If so, I hope you have a good working relationship with your boss; you still should be in honeymoon moon period. Also, where exactly are you at the 3 month mark, slightly before or slightly after? Most recruiters have a 3 month guarantee that if you don't last 3 months, the director gets his money back or a free replacement. If you are before, you director could always decide to chuck you right now and get his free replacement.

On the other hand, I do think you should talk to your director about quitting. He has given you no reason to pull a runner. I would wait another month though. I would also offer to find a replacement myself to ease the transition/financial burden on the director.

Generally, most of contracts note that you don't have to pay back airfare to Korea after six months. Your contract doesn't seem to have this clause, but it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask for it.

Education is a reason Koreans always seem to accept for leaving. Tell them a spot unexpectedly opened up for you in a program you've always wanted to get into. The sick family member sounds a little fishy if you are willing to give 3 months' notice. Some directors frown on the job reason even if it is back in your home country. Hard to say how your director will feel.

Good luck!

[SpecialK]

Hey thanks it's good to hear others opinions on here. I have been here actually 4.5 months now and after doing the math I would be here 7 months when I left. I am definitely going to talk to them about it and see if we can reach an understanding. I will also try to find a replacement for them, I wonder how hard it would be to find someone who is already in Korea? My job is one of the easiest hagwon jobs out there I'd say, my bosses have been nothing but great to me. It can just be a little lonely because I am the only foreign teacher at my school. Which also means I have a lot more leeway I find making decisions though. I'm going to talk to them today, I'll let everyone know how it worked out! Fingers crossed.

[Bunnymonster]

3 months that would be end of March right? where is the job? I'm probably interested.......

[manlyboy]

Imo, midnight runs are only justifiable when you are certain beyond a shadow of doubt that you're going to be ripped off if you give notice. If you're uncertain, you should think of your karma (or whatever you want to call it); Because the person who replaces you will inherit the big, ugly mess you left behind.

[SpecialK]

Hi. Yeah I'd be paid on the 10th of March and I'm thinkinf of staying for 2 more weeks, but I am EXTREMELY flexible on when I would be leaving. The job is in Daejeon. If anyone is looking for a really easy job this would be the job. The only downfall i've had is that I was lonely being the only foreign teacher and with only 2 Korean teachers. I've got quite a good setup over here, but I just miss home and I know this isnt' for me. I figure I might as well realize that now and take the gov't job since I have the offer

If you are interested PM me and I'll answer any questions you have.

[hellofaniceguy]