Korean Job Discussion Forums

[maddog]

I posted a while back that I had handed in my notice with the intention of leaving on Jan 31. A couple of days later, my boss told me "I don't wanna recruit a new teacher. You can't go!" This kinda came as a surprise as I thought she'd be glad to see the back of me. I explained that I could go anytime I wanted, but if she wanted me to stay, we could discuss it. In the end, we agreed that I would serve out the remainder of my contract (June 07). Today, the receptionist told me that my boss had been continuing to seek a replacement, had a telephone interview yesterday, and wanted to hire the guy.

Just last Thursday, she took me out dinner and told me how much my teaching had improved.

The thing is, I gave about 7 weeks VERBAL notice, but never got round to putting it in writing. So, my question is this. Can she expect me to leave at the end of Jan, or would she have to give me one months notice. If she fires me, without ever having given me any kind of written warning about my performance, will she have to give me any kind of financial compensation other than my salary?

I'm kinda thinking, if she's this dishonest and two-faced, perhaps I'd be better off getting out of here anyway. I was thinking about my decision on my way to work this morning. I was willing to slug it out. But, maybe I should get free of this place.

MD

[blynch]

adios

[ChuckECheese]

Why even bother posting this here? Do as what ever you think is the best.

Make a firm decision for yourself either to stay or leave, but never maybe.

If you decide to leave give her your written notice and if not, good luck.

[PaperTiger]

Not putting something important in writing is always going to come back to bite you in the keister...best to put it in writing if you really plan to do it. Otherwise it's just your word as a foreigner against hers as an inscrutable Korean employer.

[buymybook]

Do the written notice thing, it only cost you 30 days or whatever your contract states.

Also send the Wonjong/Hakwon an e-mail, that is your proof. Save your e-mail as a draft.

[willneverteachagain]

chuck and blynch
the OP was asking for advice not useless smartass pointless garbage

[maddog]

The point of my post was that, having told her that I wanted to leave at the end of Jan, she practically begged me to stay. I agreed before I had ever had a change to put it in writing. I had told bunch of people that I was leaving and make plans to meet people in Thailand. Then, told them that I was staying in Korea after all.

If I'd booked my flight back then, it would've cost a damn sight less than it will now - and SHE hasn't even told me to my face that I'm being replaced yet.

So my question again. Since she has no proof that I ever handed in my notice, can I refuse to leave at the end of Jan, and insist that give me one month notice?

MD

[ChuckECheese]

[thegadfly]

Why did the receptionist tell you? Are you certain that the receptionist is telling the truth? Why shouldn't your boss look for a replacement -- you are going in June, decent applicants don't grow on trees, and it takes time to process the paperwork....

The point is, you are reacting based on hearsay, which may or may not have some ulterior motives (just a for instance -- is the receptionist angry at your boss for some reason? Stir you up, you get in the boss's face, or maybe even quit, leaving the boss in the lurch -- all the fun with none of the confrontation, PLUS the receptionist could express sympathy with the boss once you leave, getting extra points...passive-aggressive for the win!).

I would ask if the boss IS looking to fill my position (or why the boss is still looking if I agreed to stay), and if I were asked to leave, I would insist upon 30 days notice...but this close to the end of the contract, I would try to stay for the ticket and severance pay.