"What's the worst that could happen?" That's the question you ask yourself each and every time you stand at a juncture, deciding whether or not to take a risk.
Ian and I were no exception when we were looking at jobs in Korea. We were fully aware (or, at least, as aware as we could have been) of the potential problems and deceptions of taking work as a foreigner in Korea. But, we came anyway. With that in mind, we are trying to move forward (up and out) during this time of crisis.
This morning we arrived for our scheduled meeting at Goam. Only Montana was here. We talked to him casually for a few minutes and then he instructed us to wait in his office while he sent a fax. A few minutes later he came in and told us that apparently Julia wasn't going to come. Then, he bluntly but professionally told us that, "The company has decided to let you go." Ian and I didn't react. We just stared at him, so Montana repeated himself, said he was sorry, but "that's business." We walked out of his office and he gave us our official letters (which, still unsigned and undated by anyone are not legal):
OBJECT: TERMINATION OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT
Casey Whitlatch
We regret to inform you that your employment with Yoon's English School in Jecheon is terminated effective in four(4) weeks from receipt of this letter for the following reasons:
- Abiding complaints from students and their parents as well as principals for the last 8 months
- Caused serious financial damage to school management as well as lowering school's reputation by losing students
- Poor class preparation
- Using inappropriate words and behavior in the class
- Not using textbook with felicity
- Assignment is not checked up properly
- Teaching method is not effectively developed as expected
- School management can't find any possibility any of the above situation would be corrected
Please vacate the premises with your personal possessions within four(4) weeks. We will forward your salary to date in due course or pay at your leave only if both you and Yoon's English School agree.
Please contact the management if you need explanation for these items and the school management also will arrange with you for the return and maintenance of any company property including housing. If school management finds any maintenance issue including cleanliness, the cost will be deducted from your last payroll.
Sincerely,
Yoon's English School
56-1 Haso-dong
Jecheon-si, Choongbuk-do, Korea
The good news is we have the day off tomorrow. We'll be heading to the labor offices in Chunju. Stay tuned for a post responding to our outlined deficiencies.
