Korean Job Discussion Forums

[The Kung Fu Hustle]

Hi everyone. Just done 7 months in my contract and had enough. Planning to quit next week, a full 3 weeks before my final intended day.

In the contract it says that I can terminate the contract with just 2 weeks' notice if the employer breaches contract. That's nearly verbatim, I can't quite remember the exact phrasing. Apart from that though, there doesn't seem to be a clause about just leaving for the hell of it and I'm scared that it might be a breach of contract.

So... do you think this is OK? Do I need an actual grievance against the company to quit? I never have in any previous job. I've worked a couple hours overtime before but never brought up the pay because I feel sorry for our wonjangnim. That'd be a breach of contract (hours too long) but really I just wanna get the hell out of here and back home with my final months' pay intact. Over the 6 month mark so don't have to pay back any airfare (that he didn't pay anyway cuz I was already here). Can he legally sting me for anything?

Can't pull a runner either, like I said he's a nice guy and I feel sorry for him. The situation is further complicated because I'm the only foreign teacher at our tiny hagwon and a string of Korean teachers have recently quit with little notice in quick succession.

[tzechuk]

I think the Korean law stipulates that when it is not specified in the contract regarding termination from either party, then one month's advance notice is required.

[fidel]

This may be ethically wrong but if you want your last months pay "DO A RUNNER". If it's a small hogwan and the K teachers have been leaving there is a good chance that he is short on cash.

HOWEVER, if you sincerely believe that he will pay up, do the right thing and give a months notice.

It comes down a question of trust and doing what is right for you.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Your post is a bit odd - you say you have one month to go after 7 months in - did you sing a one-year contract? Why can't you give a month's notice.

Anyways, the question so far as you're concerned is do you want to work in Korea again? If not, you have nothing to worry about. If yes, you could have immigration issues in the future if you don't do it properly.

[Grotto]

Regardless of how nice you think your boss is.....you dont want to give notice...if you feel really strongly about giving some notice tell him once you have been paid that you will stick around for a week for him to find a new teacher.

If you give notice you can pretty much kiss your last paycheck goodbye.

[Gord]

[The Kung Fu Hustle]

Thanks a lot for your advice guys. I can't really bring myself to *beep* my boss over so I'm going to give three weeks' notice tomorrow I think and see what happens.

I don't want to return or get another job etc. It's straight home for me. If I were say to pull a runner though, what happens if I ever want to come back? Am I fined at customs? Can I enter the country? Can I get a legal job teaching English again? Just wondering.

[joe_doufu]

[margaret]

Just out of curiousity--why are you quitting?
Margaret

[The Kung Fu Hustle]

I have no reason to be here anymore. I've hated the teaching all along and some other social factors, but now that I've broken up with my long-term girlfriend it's time to go home. It's been nearly three years since I went back!

[fidel]

Run mate run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[joe_doufu]

Two words: identity theft
Kill another white dude and leave his body in your apartment. Exchange wallets, clothes, and lives. Leave the country with his passport. Koreans won't know the difference. Nobody will be upset at you (though "you" might receive angry letters from his boss because "he" pulled a runner).

[The Kung Fu Hustle]

Hahaa things just got a whole lot clearer. My boss called me into the office tonight to talk about his goddamned finances. He made a whopping 850 grand last month above the board, but I know he makes a few million by teaching on the weekend / after hours himself. He told me that he's waiting for the school to get 120 students and then quickly sell it off... without thinking how I might consider this obstacle to my bonus pay and airfare home (new owner = new contract = no bonus pay for me).

So I'm definitely giving my notice tomorrow ("Damn, what impeccable timing!" he's going to think) and I'm definitely not running. He's a really honest boss and I know he'll pay me, because if he doesn't he dies.

[Red]

[jajdude]