Korean Job Discussion Forums

Almost Out · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Location: South Korea

Could someone please help me??
My school has decided to end my contract early with only 7 days notice.
I'm at the end of my contract, only 17days left, and they've decided they don't need my services anymore. I have been told my finish date was the 10th of August, and today (July 24th) they told me I will finish next Tuesday. Is this legal?? Can anyone please help me with this situation??
They told me they don't want to pay me anymore money!!
And people wonder why teachers leave with a bad taste in their mouth from here!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Tell them you are contacting the labour board and do it! Are you sure they aren't gonna pay you up to the end of the contract?

Almost Out · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Location: South Korea

How would I go about contacting the labour board?
I'm located in Ilsan
Do I have to go to Seoul?

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

dial 1350 from any landline.
Just to get this straight, they want you to leave 2 weeks early, not pay you for the two weeks left in your conract, not pay severance, and not pay your return airfare (if you are entilted to airfare)? If so, that's totally illegal. Go in there calmly, and try to talk to them. Don't raise hell....yet. Try to work it out without anyone losing face first. Good luck!

Almost Out · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Location: South Korea

Ok, so they are saying I can have my airfare and severance, but my flight isn't until right after the date specified originally to leave. So I have to pay to stay in my apartment and now they're turning this around on me saying I should have never booked my flight to leave.
SO I just finished my meeting and well they're telling me to leave...
They want to offer me privates until my leave date..yeah RIGHT!!
Please..is this legal??
I asked them and the meeting was abruptly finished.
I am so lost right now

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

In your position ... where they are prepared to pay for the airfare and severance ... I would take that from them now ... move out of your apartment and go and have a holiday anywhere in Korea ... until your flight home ... I am sure there are people online here who can give you good cheap options which would probably be better than paying to pay in your apartment ... and better for you ...

If there is any hesitation at all in paying you for both the airfare and the severance now I would take the advise to ring the Labour Board immediately ...

Icicle

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

At least you are getting your severance and flight ticket! Many many do not! Count your blessings and be thankful for leaving early and still getting money!

Almost Out · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Location: South Korea

They "say" I can have it but I have to wait until the day I was supposed to leave. How am I supposed to trust anyone with that? They've been saying one thing and doing another all along.
And people wonder why foreigners have a bad taste in their mouth sometimes

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

Contact the Korean Labor Board. They are against 11th month firings by hagwons. Furthermore, your employee cannot evict you from your apartment as it is illegal to forceably remove someone from a place in Korea.

Also check to see if your employer has paid all necessary tax, pension and other benefits as it is more than likely that they haven't.

One point to add, 30 days written notice is required, by Korean Law, to terminate an employee's contract with a justifiable reason. "We don't need your services any longer", isn't a justifiable reason. As they haven't done this, it is illegal. The Korean Labor Board will support your case and the employer will have to pay airfare, severance, and a huge fine to the government. I am sure they don't want that.

Try to keep a note of all meetings and what was suggested but stick to your guns as they are fleecing you. Demand your severance now, record of employment (mandantory if you ask for one) till the end of your contract (not till your termination), airfare and demand an explanation.

You will get a lot of support here if you decide to take your employers to court. Good luck and don't back down. You can beat them. Btw, what is the name of school? Where is it located? Did you get Health Insurance and all necessary entitlements paid for? Any info for future teachers is well worth it.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Ok, I would get it in writing that they are promise to pay you severance and airfare.
Secondly, call the Labour Board on 1350 press 7 for English and tell them about your situation.

ilovebdt

bosintang · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:12 am Post subject:

boyne11 · Joined: 08 Jul 2007

After you have left, blacklist the school. Let us know the name and location of the school.

Almost Out · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Location: South Korea

Thank you for all the advice everyone.
I attempted to call the labour board today but the number said it was "temporarily disconected".
The school is now changing their tune as I was leaving last night, saying I could stay no problem till the end of my contract, but they didn't/won't pay me until September!! When I said, no, they should pay me when I leave, the told me I could not work in August.
What is this!! Something is fishy with this school.
When this is all said and done I will post everything about the place.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Almost Out · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Location: South Korea

I actually called from work. SO I guess a landline?
I only have a cellphone, does anyone know if payphones work with this number??
I am still working as hard as I can and giving them no troubles with classes so they have no grounds or amo against me.