Korean Job Discussion Forums

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

I was going to post this in FAQ, but apparently only moderators can post there? I have a shitty job. So much so, that I'd be willing to pay them back for my plane ticket, plus the KRW 300,000 housing deposit they say I owe them if it can get me out. The Hagwon owner seems to dislike having me for an employee almost as much as I dislike working there, and in any conversations we have, is pretty much trying to bait me into quitting illegitimately. Is a buyout of my contract worth mentioning to her? If I buy my way out of the contract and give proper notice, and get written confirmation that I've done so, am I viable to work elsewhere? I don't really want to screw my employer over, I'd even be willing to give them more than than thirty days notice (up to 60?) if they feel they need a little more time to get a new Westerner into the Hagwon. What's the best way to approach this subject with them? Should I talk to my recruiter first?

Donkey Beer · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Go in and ask for your letter of release. Tell her you'll pay for the airfare costs. If she refuses it's runner time!

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Well, I do want to stay in the country and work elsewhere, a full-on run may be ill-advised. My recruiter has been very supportive through all of this, says he'll set me up with a new job and explain the extenuating circumstances if the school chooses to fire me. (And there are numerous extenuating circumstances.) Basically right now, everything I do is wrong and gets me bitched out by my boss, even if I'm doing something my boss TOLD me to do the previous week. I'm pretty much on their permanent shit list, branded a "bad employee". If they don't fire me on Monday (and I think there's about a 50/50 chance they will), I'd rather at least try to leave on good terms. This Hagwon actually has a reputation for being more reasonable than most Hagwons, and I really think they'd be glad to get rid of me if they could just replace me. I'll see how Monday goes.

Any advice on how to talk to my boss about it? I'm not used to the Confucian style of management, and its important to me to resign in the most courteous way possible. I don't dislike my employers per se; I just need to get away from them.

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

Here's a sample copy of a LOR:

http://www.efl-law.com/letter_of_release.php

(1) You need a letter of release if you want to work elesewhere.

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Well, it says if I leave before the end of my contract, I owe them a deposit "not to excede KRW300,000", but I assume my boss will take me for all of it. Which kinda sucks, because I've actually improved this place considerably, including purchasing about $75 worth of cleaner and spent almost 24 hours over my first weekend making this place liveably clean. It was an unspeakable slimehole I literally had difficulty breathing in when I moved in. Oh yeah, then there's the $30 I spent repairing the broken air conditioning system I'd been guaranteed was functional per the contract. (And no, I didn't have the presence of mind to hang onto the receipts, unfortunately...) I guess my next move is to contact the recruiter and see if he'll back me in my quitting. It's better for him to have my back on this, as I definitely won't be getting a good reference from these people, but my recruiter can explain the whole of the situation to my next employer in fluent Korean.

sconner · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Location: South Carolina

OP, it sounds like your boss doesn't have a lot of respect for you, like she is unreasonable. I'd like to hear about the other details. It also sounds like your playing by the book and your irrational boss is taking advantage of the situation. I understand that you want to leave on god terms and get an LOR, but more than likely your boss won't give you a good recommendation whatever way this plays out. Try and think of it another way, you left your country, your life, your job, etc. tocome and work for this person and they have been irrational and haven't tried to amke things work with you, at least that's the way it sounds. If they don't fire you on Monday, maybe you should try to get fired. You shouldn't have to pay for your bosses shortcomings, and you sound miserable. Not only is keeping your deposit illegal, but taking it is. Does your boss pay your taxes? Medical and pension? If she doesn't you might have some leverage. Just remember, you are not wrong here,your boss is.

braunshade · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Location: Somewhere better!

SABATOGE.Get her. Get her good. Typical Korean.

shifdog · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

TOMODACHI-KID · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 5:50 pm Post subject:

...Seems as though you need to sit down and talk to her about what's on your mind. There's nothing like being looked down upon at a job you thought would be worthy...

...When I was a teacher at my first Hogwon, I had a problem similar as yours. However, I knew I had to leave because the "respect" wasn't there anymore. So, I sat down with the Hogwon Boss and we had an agreement that I leave in thirty days, but I had paid for my own flight ticket back. Reason being: I just wanted out!

...When I had gone back to my hometown--a year had passed--I decided to call Immigration in the town I had taught--I wanted to check if there were any discrepencies since I had left--I knew about Hogwon bosses, how a lot of them were "shady"--well, there wasn't any problems on my
E-2 record in terms of immigration...

I hope you get what you want, and I hope your boss complies. When you do leave, there are better opportunities ahead, just keep that in mind!

Go into work and do what you have to do....

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

OP: It sounds like you have the right idea, as far as leaving. The next step would be to check your contract and find out exactly what it says.

If you want to quit then usually there is a time that you are required to give for prior notice, typically 30 days. My suggestion is to abide by the contract exactly, no more and no less. Make sure you do your research as to what you need to do exactly as far as your visa is concerned.

It sounds like getting fired would be a good thing as you wouldn't need to wait for your notice to expire, but check your contract.

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Just checked my contract. "If employee took over an existing school apartment, deduction will not apply." So I don't owe them any money for leaving the apartment. There is also no requirement for how much notice I need to give them before I leave, so I'll offer 'em 30 days notice, a little more if they ask for it. If they don't want my 30 days, they have the right to withdraw sponsorship of my visa 14 days after I quit. This isn't long, so I will do everything I can to make sure I have something new lined up BEFORE I actually tender my resignation. (And if the new job starts in less than 30 days, I WON'T offer them 30 day notice; it's not required.) God I hope they just fire me, then they have to give me 30 days rather than 14. Question for those more experienced: In case my recruiter doesn't support me on this decision, will it be difficult to get anew job when I most certainly don't have a decent reference from the last one?

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

Just a couple of notes.

Your recruiter sounds like a reasonable guy, much as that generally is an oxmoron here, however don't count on him beyond you're being his next paycheck.

My advice would be for you to give 30 days notice, with no extension, on condition your employer sign the letter of release.

Once that's in your hand, tell your recruiter to get you another job asap.

Don't expect or ask the recruiter to go in to bat for you with your present employer... leave him to smooth over the next one.

I've had a few dodgy employers since I got here and never call on them for a reference. No problems as yet, and you shouldn't have any if it's not a regular thing.
At an interview stage i point blank tell them "it's not worth contacting XYZ at ABC because we didn't get along so I left."

If they decide to stiff you on airfare, final pay and deposits let them, just get the LOR so you can start another job. Then take them to cleaners via the labor board. They'll support you if you go by the book.

Good luck