F2 Visa and working options while under contract

Hi all,

I'm currently an F2 visa holder with an EPIK job.  My current job is not pleasant--27 hours on my schedule and lunch break work, with no discipline in the classroom.  

Is there anything I should be aware of if I were to say suddenly quit and look for another job.  I've heard talk about obtaining a letter of release, et al.  Are there any blind spots I should be aware of before I embark on finding different work?

Re: F2 Visa and working options while under contract

SInce you are a F2 visa holder, you have the freedom to work for whichever employer you wish anywhere in Korea. If you signed a contract, it should probably be written in in how long a notice of termination of employment you need to give, as well as other details concerning your employment.

You seem to have a few obstacles at work, and you seem to think that the best way to avoid and/or forget these obstacles are to quit your job. I personally think this is the wrong way to deal with this situation, but if you really feel you are overworking, re-read your contract. If the contract stipulates that you should be working less, then in this case you would be legally entitled to break the contract since the employer has not been following the contract stipulations.

Re: F2 Visa and working options while under contract

Give your notice as stipulated by the contract. Bad EPIK jobs are more and more frequent these days, though I know plenty of people who are happy with theirs. Only you know when you've reached your tolerance limit and, as the above poster said, you can work anywhere. With proper notice, they have no legal recourse. So go find something better! 

Re: F2 Visa and working options while under contract

That sucks that you have to work at lunch.  However, complaining about a 27-hour work week reveals more about you and your work ethic.  Put it into perspective – a full-time job back in the States or Canada is 40 hours/week.  Also, isn’t class management YOUR job as the instructor?  Keep in mind, schools or hagwons do not owe you anything because you have an F2 visa.  You were fortunate enough to marry an ethnic Korean, but it doesn’t entitle you to preferential treatment or more pay.  That said, however, you are fortunate that you do have options as an F2 visa holder.  Read over your contract and see what proper protocol is.  Leave as amicably as possible and do not burn bridges.  The teaching industry is not as big as it seems and it's not to your benefit to burn bridges. 

Re: F2 Visa and working options while under contract

Not so sure about that, most F visa holders I know are working at a University (i'm hoping to transition of course) and if they do tutoring it's on the side, the most i've heard is some one doing about 8 hours a week max of side tutoring.  I know of one person from Canada operating a Hagwon out here...but in all seriousness, if it's more prevalent give me some insight or examples.

Re: F2 Visa and working options while under contract

F 2  teach english since they may not have the money to open a business or they may not want to spend alot more time in Korea  to run a company .Anyway I know opening a business in Korea is not a slamdunk  . Many fail   whether opened by Koreans or non Koreans . If I opened a company I would try Vietnam or Latin America before Korea  any day of the week .