Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gregarious Monk]

Hey all,

Just arrived and right out of the gate I'm told that I'll be moving into an apartment with a Korean teacher. The contract stipulates my accommodations were to be single housing and that's one of the few criteria I was actually specific about.

Now I'm wondering what else I'm going to find out is screwy with the contract.

Any advice on how to handle this?

[Ya-ta Boy]

The good news: For your first few days, this could be a good thing. You can exploit the resource to learn about the food and location of important places in your area.

The bad news: This is not a good sign, unless it is an understandable delay in getting your own apt in A FEW DAYS. I say this because the boss knew before you got on the airplane that you were not getting what was promised and withheld that information.

I think you should, politely but firmly, discuss the situation with the boss and express that you are not happy with the proposed arrangement. You can say that unless a single apartment is forthcoming in the next few days you will be asking for a letter of release from your contract.

[Gregarious Monk]

Thanks for the quick reply Ya-ta. This isn't only for a few days, I've been inserted into a yeogwan with the other teacher until this weekend when we're supposed to move into a place together.

If it was just about living with a Korean teacher for a few days or even a week or two until getting settled, I'd probably actually enjoy it.

I think the aforementioned discussion with the boss is imminent today.

Meanwhile, I'm going out to see what kind of eats can be gotten on the streets nearby. The sights and sounds are still there to be enjoyed!

monk

[mishlert]

Sit down with your boss and remind him about what you specified before signing the contract and coming to Korea. If your boss goes into a long speech and tells you how sorry he is about the situation, tell him you will then have to find your own place and ask him for 300K to 500K a month to cover the rent.
Now, if he then says that he can not do that, then you tell him that since you were promised your own place and have just been told that there is nothing that can be done about it that you want a letter of release.

[ChuckECheese]

Tell your boss that you ain't teaching until he gets you what's been promised.

You gotta stand firm from the start or you'll be gettin screwed from here on forward.

[inkoreaforgood]

[ChuckECheese]

[teachingld2004]

I understand what you are saying, but before you speak to your boss, please look at your contract very carefully. Then take it to your boss and show him where it says "single housing".

What some one tells you, and what you sign, may be a different story.

Tell him you appreciate the job, blah blah blah. But if you do not have your visa number yet, just tell him you are leving.

If you do have your visa number, I would advise you to talk to him about it, and then call or go to the labor board, or immigratin.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[lover.asian]

[PaperTiger]

Do you have your visa yet? Or are you here on your tourist visa?

If you don't have your visa then your connection with your boss isn't finalized and you might be able to inadvertantly mention that in connection with your housing situation and the fact that many other HONEST schools are hiring this time of year. It'd be really easy for you to find another job.

Your boss already lied to you about a significant detail of your contract that was obviously pretty important to you, it seems reasonable to think that similar "misunderstandings" will arise with that type of person.

Yogwan? Isn't that just a way of saying "cheap sex hotel"? How's that workin' out for ya?

[Satin]

So what has happened