Korean Job Discussion Forums

cpraj1234 · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Hello,

After considerable thought I have decided to leave my teaching position at the 7 month mark. I am going to give my employer 30 days notice and I am hoping he will give me my letter of release. He has connections in the immigration department because he had a foreign teacher get her visa even though she wasn't legally able to work in Korea. He is not the most reputable employer. What options do I have if he refuses to give me my letter of release? He doesn't pay into the pension for us and I still have to get my money from the pension office. Will I be able to receive 7 months worth of money even though I am leaving early? I also wanted to know if I will be able to return to Korea after 2 weeks in Japan? I ask because I am thinking about leaving some luggage here with a friend and wanted to come and pick it up after Japan. Will I have any problems at the customs at Incheon airport?

Thank you very much for any sort of advice that anyone can offer.

Cheers!

Zark · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject:

If your employer hasn't paid into the pension fund - it also means that you haven't paid your half. And, depending on the size of your school - the school may not be required to contribute to the fund.

So . . . my guess is that you don't have money there to get. Under some circumstances you can report your employer and force them to pay into the fund - but you too will be required to match the funds - before you can apply for the refund. Note that you will need to let them know you are LEAVING Korea - not that you will be back working for someone else next week (my understanding anyway).

As you will be at eight months by the time you quit - and it will take you a least a month (then nine months) to get all this stuff sorted out - why not just finish up the contract? Just asking - I understand that your situation may be untenable.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Homer · Guest

What TUM says...

Without precise info, it is hard to give relevant advice.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Don't sweat the pension stuff - if you're planning to stay here you can sort that out later.

Your number one priority must be getting that LOR. I extorted one out of my old employer by threatening to call every parent with a bilingual K-friend and give them my exact opinion of their crap hogwan. By the time we hung up with parent #2 the supervisor was ringing me begging me to stop and promising that wongjongnim-babo would give me whatever I wanted. Be prepared to get really nasty if you really want this, as most hogwans just *hate* cancelling employees contracts, as this sets a terrible precedent for them.

SOOHWA101 · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject:

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

They do. They also have laws against unfair treatment of foreign workers............ Wink

SOOHWA101 · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject:

That's just scary though. Throwing down in legalities with a Korean could equal "bury the foreigner and lets take care of our own."

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

cpraj1234 · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

There are many reasons as to why I want to leave the hagwon (taking extra money from my pay for utilities which I didn't use, not paying the pension, high foreign/korean teacher turnover, living situation with a flithy roomate, split shifts after repeatedly telling them that its not in my contract, and on and on..).

I ask about returning to Korea because I would like to work at a Summer camp during the end of the summer. It would be a nice way to split up my trip and make some money. Do I need a visa for that or can I just come on a tourist visa and work?

I really appreciate everyone's comments. They are very helpful.

Thank you. Cheers!

cpraj1234 · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

There are many reasons as to why I want to leave the hagwon (taking extra money from my pay for utilities which I didn't use, not paying the pension, high foreign/korean teacher turnover, living situation with a flithy roomate, split shifts after repeatedly telling them that its not in my contract, and on and on..).

I ask about returning to Korea because I would like to work at a Summer camp during the end of the summer. It would be a nice way to split up my trip and make some money. Do I need a visa for that or can I just come on a tourist visa and work?

I really appreciate everyone's comments. They are very helpful.

Thank you. Cheers!

cpraj1234 · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

There are many reasons as to why I want to leave the hagwon (taking extra money from my pay for utilities which I didn't use, not paying the pension, high foreign/korean teacher turnover, living situation with a flithy roomate, split shifts after repeatedly telling them that its not in my contract, and on and on..).

I ask about returning to Korea because I would like to work at a Summer camp during the end of the summer. It would be a nice way to split up my trip and make some money. Do I need a visa for that or can I just come on a tourist visa and work?

I really appreciate everyone's comments. They are very helpful.

Thank you. Cheers!

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

Homer · Guest

Indeed it is mandatory...much like health insurance.