Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yexey]

I'm nearing the end of my contract and discovered the return flight that my recruiter provided actually expires several weeks before my contract finishes. The date of my arrival in Korea was not chosen by me.

My manager refuses to provide me a plane ticket that I can use after the finish of my contract or (as is my preference) an equivalent payment. In the manager's eyes it is (conveniently) entirely my fault, despite me having nothing to do with organising the flights.

Another 'option' the manager suggested is that I give up all my sick days and holidays and actually take the early flight. I don't want to do that because it means I lose a lot of pay out money that I would otherwise receive. If I don't take this option I'm told I will get no flight at all.

Can someone more learned than I please let me know what can be done. I think I'm legally in the right to expect a flight after the end of contract/payment of equivalent, but I also know Korea's full of surprises. What government agencies can I/should I contact about this?

many thanks

[mehamrick]

You could tell him that your using your sick days and vacation granted that your paid for those days in full along with your severance pay. Other than that I would think about calling labor very quiclky..

[ChuckECheese]

Call chief of Han-Hwa Group and ask to have some mafia boys break your bosses limbs.

[bobbybigfoot]

I was wondering this very same thing.

How common is it to be screwed out of the return ticket home?

How common is it to be screwed out of severence?

I'm trying to get myself to Korea, but it seems finding a straight forward contract is near impossible.

[ontheway]

OP:

Have you tried contacting the airline. Perhaps you can extend your ticket date for a fee?

[Seoul_Star]

Wow, just when I thought they had figured every way to screw you out of your benefits, they come up with this! It's actually quite brilliant. Even I would not have thought of this one. Give the foreigner a ticket leaving before his contract is over, thus hoping that he breaks the contract and as a result is not owed any of the promised money.

Despite the fact that I do my job well, and I am always prepared/on time, I have fully come to expect that I will not receive any of the promised benefits at the end of my contract. I expect to be terminated 24 hours prior to my contract expiration, and not even given a return ticket. Repeated stories from others both on this board and off it have lead me to this conclusion, rightly or wrongly. Tell the recruiter that you are going to call the labor board if you do not get your promised benefits.

[sadsac]

This is not an uncommon occurrence regarding return flights. The airline will normally grant you an extension. My wife and I had a similar situation 3 years ago and Malaysian Airlines granted us a six week extension on our tickets at no additional cost. We just had to go to Busan to get the tickets re-issued.

[Bibbitybop]

I love getting screwed on my flight home. It makes the 16 hour flight go by a bit quicker and helps me sleep more.

[RedRob]

I have never been screwed on a flight. Sounds like fun though.
I think it would be best to get screwed really early, before anyone has had a chance to use the dunny for unpleasant non-screwing activites.

[Milwaukiedave]

yexye,

I tend to agree, call the airline first and see if they'll work with you. Explain the situation to them and let them know the recruiter and hagwon boss are putting you in a bad spot. It's possible they'll be nice and grant you an extension.

If that fails, then I'd let the hagwon boss know you intend to take it up with the labor board.

[rhinocharge64]

Help!!! Get screwed on the flight. I find your post slightly misleading. At a glance I thought you was informing the board that you were about to join the Mile high club. I should have known it was to do with the shanagians of a Hogwon boss!!!!

Regards T he Charge!