Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Matthias]

Hi, I'm looking into the possibility of teaching ESL in Korea, but I've read about the ever-present possibility that your school could screw you in many different ways. What type of legal action could an American (or other foreigner) take to combat something like that? Or what else can you do about it?

[BigBlackEquus]

Make sure the contract is sound. Post it here before signing and some will leave comments.

Other things you can do is check the school out as much as you can by posting here, other places, and above all, talking to foreigners who have worked there (if possible). Even still, they may tell lies if they are still working there.

As for legal action, there is the labor board. Also, EFL-Law can help you find a lawyer. The problem is that the Korean courts aren't big on giving non-Koreans a win -- it sort of drags out until it costs too much money for the foreigner to fight it. The labor board is free, and useful in many disputes where the school breaks the contract. Not all situations, though.

Try making friends at www.efl-law.com

That is a better site for legal Q & A.

[jinju]

In the end though there really isnt much you could do. The labbour board is ineffectual and has no teeth, legal help costs money. Its a crap shoot. You can do some stuff prior to starting work to try an minimze the chances of getting screwed: talk with teachers at the school, make sure the contract is solid, do some research on the school to see what teachers who worked there before have to say about it.

[BigBlackEquus]

So true.

[BigBlackEquus]

So true.

[dulouz]

The best thing you can do is to get it in your head that you will never collect on the air plane ticket or the end of year bonus. Do not tolerate abuse on these matters, do not let them lead you around like a dog. They'll do it and you will stress over it. Don't let them own you that way.

The apartment they will give you is crap, it will be cold and dank and it will come equiped with one spoon and a cork screw. The matress will reek of urine. Further, they will treat your apt like an extra closet. They will really show up with boxes and desks and expect you to put it in a corner. Get your own place ASAP.

The contracts are a formality. The Koreans honor only the part that benefits them and the parts that you can enforce by being a hard stick. The working arrangments change as the wind blows, be flexible, work one extra night for free and then say no more. Don't show up to clean on Saturdays. If they split the shift to an unreasonable degree, just say no and then give a 30 day notice. Go to work at those hours but then give the notice, say "contract" over and over again.

Pay attention to notices, they are very important. You can quit but be mature and ask for and get a letter of release.

Expect the worst and prepare dor it.

[some waygug-in]

This is something I've read, but never tried myself. Although one of my coordinators tried it and it worked.

If and when the school starts refusing to pay, draft a polite but direct letter stating something like:

I am sorry to inform you that due to the situation regarding pay irregularities I will be forced to report this institution to the Korean labour office. I will also be forwarding a letter of complaint to the American Embassy, Canadian Embassy, British Embassy, Australian Embassy, New Zealand Embassy, South African Embassy, Phillipean Embassy, Indian Embassy........etc.
Furthermore I shall be forced to place complaint letters on every blacklist site on the internet, as well as reporting your school to ever EFL/ESL website I can find.

I sincerely hope that I do not have to do this and I hope that we can resolve this situation without involving outside parties.

However, if we can not resolve it in a mutually agreeable fashion, I have no choice but to carry out the above procedure.

Sincerely xxxxx


I've read a few cases where this has worked.

[Faron]

Just bend over. Just kidding, sorry had to say it.

[UncleAlex]

Some waygook in, you forgot to mention that one can threaten his school
with a letter to Ann Landers or an appearance on The Ophra Winfrey Show.

[inkoreaforgood]

[Matthias]

Thanks for the replies everybody. That website is helpful as well as the idea about threatening to blacklist the school. And dulouz's reply was rather entertaining. Thanks.

[dulouz]

I'm not sure how mature you are but when I got out of high school I went into the US Navy. After comparing what I have learned here vs my experience there, I think you'd be a better equiped human after coming here and working as a teacher. These people think and act fast and some times they don't think at all and you have to be quick witted enough to catch things like that. You will learn plenty here in a number of different ways.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Get a list of all the parents' phone numbers and if shit hits the fan threaten to call them and give them your exact opinion of the place.