antics and shitshows at work

well what a 48 hours it's been at SEI.

On Monday after work my boss called me in and told me that they were going to go to one native teacher as of May first and so my last working day would be April 30th but that they would send me home May 12th (seven weeks early, after my trip to Taiwan) because the president of the company had decided the saturday before that they didn't need two of us. Then, when my new contract (which has not yet been agreed to) came in to effect, they would fly me back August 1st. This would mean Robbie would just work out his contract and return to London and I would fly in to replace him. This also meant that Geoff (who was supposed to start in June) would not be... would I please let him know.

Well lets see.... 2 weeks to orgaize my life, communicate with family back home and get there with nothing but my last paycheque and visa card to get me through 3 months plus 5 weeks back in Korea. Well a quick phone call to the Korean Labour Board confirmed my suspicions that this was indeed completely illegal. A dismissal requires written notice and one months warning or one months wages up front. Furthermore, a reason for dismissal must be given, and something like downsizing, while acceptable, is open to dispute.

So the next day I went in and stated very clearly that they were violating Korean law and if this was not resolved satisfactorily I would be filing formally with the KLB. Well a whole lot of backpeddling and a "we'll talk to the president" ensued and I was promised that they'd let me know by the end of that (Tues) night. Well here it is Wednesday night and still no confirmed word, though the fact that they already seem to be on another one of the presidents tasks make me think that they've already forgotten about it. Usually the threat of a legal suit shuts people up.

I also posted my resume on eslcafe and now have two interviews lined up for jobs in late July.... perfect. It also amazes me that they STILL want me to sign on at SEI come August (they must be nuts). While I do like my director, the president is incapable of mass organising, has the memory of a goldfish and since he began a hands on approach the company has begun to tank which makes me think that the job will not exist for another calendar year.

This puts a lot of stress on me as my plans for the next 12 months have been seriously dented; however, there are so many schools in Korea, and I only want another year-18 months anyway, so I shouldn't have an issue finding work. Just not keen for the move.

and yes, this means that short of a 6 week vacation, 3 million won/m deal I will not be staying on at SEI.