Korean Job Discussion Forums

[malysahhh]

.. i got a story(I know its long, please bear with me) here and i would appreciate some expert advice.. on the next step to take.

BE HONEST..BE BRUTAL..(I know i made mistakes...but how can i redeem myself?)

So, after 8 months, i decided to quit my job

one day I say "im thinking of quitting.. im not sure about it yet, and I will give you a final answer next week..."
One week later, during a five minute break, my boss comes in the teachers room and says, "so, you gonna quit?" and I said "well, I feel like I have to..but I dont want to" and she was like right okay, so you quit then.
One week later, I go to her and say, "you know I really don't wanna quit this school blah blah blah" and she says happily, "okay let me talk to my husband who does the hiring and firing"
so... about a week later she says, sorry we hired someone else... if this falls through you can have your job back...
about two weeks later, the man boss comes in and has a chat, saying that he still doesn't know, but he would like me to work there if this teacher doesn't.
then, another week goes by.. "okay" one day she says, "we made our decision.. you can have your job back if you sign on another year contract"
So the next day I say "okay i'll sign" and she hugged me and thanked me and told me she was so happy...
then as the negotiations begin to show the true colors of the situation, I call her and say "no i can't sign" (two days later)
needless to say She was ANGRY.
said that HE would call me later...
three weeks later...no call
so i call him.. he says - just wait until we get a new teacher... you can't stay until your contract finishes in december... you have to just wait... and when i ask for a time frame, he says it would be unprofessional to say something like that..

So, next week im going to California on a week vacation: Now it has been two months since I originally "quit" the job. No talk of release letter... just a sugestion to wait around until they can dispose of me conveniently..
I never gave any written letter of resignation.

Its all been talk.
What can I do?

Here are the options I see:

Don't come back from the US
Come back and then leave on the 10th when i get paid (part of my salary, cuz they're taking out the trip to japan, and all paid holidays are now being paid for as well - is that right?)
Just hang around waiting
Call the labor board, and file a complaint

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Well it sure doesn't sound like you want to teach here, and it doesn't sound like the owners like or value you very much, so why don't you just go back to the US and don't come back?

[Mr. BlackCat]

You said be brutal, so here it is:

I consider this problem mostly your fault. You're the one who brought quitting up. I don't know what the circumstances were that led you to that decision, but you sound like you were pretty ambivilant about it. You should have made a final decision and told your boss about that decision open and honestly. OR have a discussion with her about your grievances and see what could have been done about them. Sounds kind of like you were fishing for them to beg you to stay.

The way your employer dealt with the situation sounds pretty unprofessional, but I think its pretty unprofessional for an employee to tell their boss, "I might quit, I might not. I'll let you know whenever I feel like it". You can't expect them to sit around and wait for you to make up your mind.

I also don't understand how you were ready to quit 8 months in, thereby forfeiting all the bonuses and such, but then be ready to sign on another year shortly after.

SOOOOO, my brutal opinion of you in this small space is that you don't really know what you want. That's not a bad thing, many of us are in the same place. Therefore, I'd recommend that you stay in the US. No offence, but it makes it harder for those of us who know what we want and work hard to be professional when there's those who do not do this around here.

But I'm not trying to insult you as a person. Just stay put and think about what you want in life and in a job. Understand that once you make a commitment you should stick with it. But, like I said, I don't know all the details of your situation.

Good Luck.

[ChuckECheese]

Indecision always causes problems and you end up losing out. Let this be a good lesson to you. It's always either yes or no, but never maybe.

No one can make the decision for you so do as you wish. Make your firm decision and go for it.

[riley]

Yeah, have to agree with the above posters, you learned a life lesson in yes or no, but never say maybe. If you're in a situation where you don't know what you want to do, don't tell people anything. I'll admit that I made the same mistake, probably a lot of us have.

[malysahhh]

Thanks guys. I definately feel a little grateful for this experience, as I did learn my lesson. As it is my first job in the "real world" (cough cough) it is inevitable that I make mistakes. Uhm, and I appreciate your feedback. Solid criticisms tactfully written. Thanks for your time.
...still don't know what to do, but I hear they got a new teacher, so I think I'll at least get my release letter, and try to keep good relations with my boss... I see the possibility of a good ending, really...

[kigolo1881]

Geez, this must be a very difficult time for you and your employers. I can only imagine how awkward it must be for you to come to work eventhough you 'quit' and for them to have you who they 'already fired'.

Just put yourself in their shoes: you mentioned that you want to quit and as for them, they have a business/school to run and can't afford the insecurity of having 'another' english teacher pull a midnight run and bear the cost of hiring a new person (which they already did and then did not....), along with a full class but no sub. teacher.

what happened during the negotiations that made you change your mind and not sign? - i would be mad too if i was her.

i dont think there's a way to salvage your relationship wiht this school and just cut your ties.
Good luck in trying to get your final payment and bonuses, if any. Pack all your stuff and go on that vacation home and sit it out. There's no reason for you or your bosses to lead each other on.