Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kermo]

I just got chewed out by my supervisor. I asked him for access to my file so I could photocopy some documents. I am leaving for another school, and they've asked me for copies of my transcript, etc. He was at the school on his way to a Scout thingie, so he agreed to photocopy the stuff.

However, he harangued me about the way things are apparently done here, and seemed very upset that I had asked for copies of my stuff. He said that "In Korea, we don't apply for copies once we give them to the employer. Do you do that in Canada?"

I said "I'm sure it would be fine," and tried to explain why I don't have my own copies (didn't think I would be staying another year) but he cut me off immediately saying "It's your business." He's never been this rude before, though certainly brusque.

He had the copies for me, but I also needed my teaching certificate, a laminated replacement card I ordered, which he had neatly taped into his files. He refused saying that "In Korea, we give our employers original copies." He kept using the term "original copies" which was really confusing. His English is not excellent, so I find I have to ask the same question three different ways, and sort of average out the replies in order to comprehend.

I calmly and politely insisted, while he scowled and pulled faces. Finally he relented, and as he stormed off to get it, he called out "You bother me!" I said earnestly "I'm sorry to be a bother to you," and he looked surprised, as though I were deliberately torturing him with my outrageous demands. He said "I hope so."

"Please don't ask me for anything else," he said. I looked him sweetly in the eye and said "I won't ask you for anything I don't need." He seemed okay with that, so I left.

I won't have to see him again for a few weeks, but it looks like the final negotiations may be difficult (getting my severance, withheld pay, etc. from the school etc.) This is a public school, so if push comes to shove, I can get a translator and deal directly with the admin/finance dept.

There's one more fly in the soup-- in the winter, I lost my cell-phone, and informed him. He called the company to tell them it was lost, but failed to cancel it. I've been billed for the minimum payments all year, and I've only just figured this out. I want him to pay for the last bill at least, but tonight was obviously not the night to discuss this.

Sigh. It was a gorgeous year, and I hope we can end it on a pleasant note. But seriously, have I breached some serious protocol?

[Gopher]

It's just photocopies. Maybe he should switch to decaf.

Next time, though, don't give any Korean anything you might need back later...don't put them in a position where they can talk to you with this kind of condescention.

[quiksilver]

My boss was very nice to me all year and then in June I told him that I wouldn't be staying for another year and he was a totally different person. Whenever he came into the office or I saw him he looked at me like I was a spy and would leave the room if I came in. It was real weird. Then about a week ago he started recognizing me as a human being again. I'm thinking that come severance and final pay time it could get interesting. I never did anything all year long that would piss him off just the fact that I want to go home after finishing my one year. I guess I wouldn't be a very good "Korean" employee.

Regarding the documents that the OP mentioned: I only had to turn over copies of things (except my degree) and I'm glad I did.

[kermo]

[kermo]