LIFE IN KOREA: A Workplace Experience

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I'd like to share an experience I've recently had working in Korea. In early 2009, I accepted a position with a Korean company - one that is sometimes referred to as being 'old school'. 

At the beginning of December, 2009, I indicated to the HR Department that my education, training, experience and talents were being wasted in my current position. I also reminded them that the portion of the initial job description (which we’d agreed upon during contract negotiation), which would have maximized my skills, had simply not materialized.  I was direct and honest with them as I communicated that I felt I’d been more than patient and that I was seriously starting to consider terminating my contract early.  I suggested an alternative - a position within the company that would create a mutually beneficial and rewarding experience for both sides – based upon my observations of the context within which I’d been working. 

HR responded by urging me to “wait just a little longer” and promised that they would report my suggestions to upper management.  One month later, I was asked to report to middle management to discuss the possibilities I had raised. At the end of December, I was informed that upper management had approved the move and that the change would happen the week of January 14th.”  On January 15th, I was told that my present team had insisted that a replacement be found before I was moved.  “Fair enough”, I thought…especially as I remembered HR saying, during my contract negotiations, “We have lots of other eligible candidates and we can easily get a visa for any of them” (They were wanting me to accept a lower salary than I wanted but to which I ultimately agreed because I wanted the “insider” experience of being a regular employee more than I wanted/ needed to be rewarded financially). I figured they’d simply dip into that bottomless well of visa-able candidates and that I’d be able to assume my new position after only a short delay. WRONG!)

HR began advertising the position on January 18th …I also did the same among various acquaintances and friends.  According to HR the 3 most important criteria (in order of importance) for the position were: 1. Caucasian; 2. Female; and 3. Attractive. No mention was made regarding experience, training, attitude, and visa status. 

A number of applicants applied for the position – mainly through my network. All were rejected for a variety of reasons – not enough training, lack of industry experience, wrong visa status. 

Upper management asked me to “please be patient” –stating that “a replacement is difficult to find” …I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to all those other eligible candidates that were lined up waiting when I first accepted the position and was negotiating my contract? 

Let me end by saying that I’m not a temporary resident of Korea. I’m married to a Korean and am starting my 9th year here. Beyond a doubt, this is one of my most “interesting” Korean job experiences. One of the things I’ve learned is that, regardless of what HR told me initially, I should have asked if the company was actually willing to go through the process of obtaining a visa for a new foreign employee and exactly what training and experience were required for my position. That way, fewer of my friends’ friends would have wasted their time….same for HR.


Photo by P. Walker

6 comments | Add your comment

inawe77, 2010-02-03 19:24:11

Join the club! This has happened to me (twice) and also to some of my friends. Most of them also married to Koreans; so, we have to try a little harder to stick it out siince there are not that many jobs to go around. Other international staff just quit and leave (Korea).
The first time, I quit after trying for 30 months to get the work promised me in my job description. The second time(couldn't believe it was happening again), I was fired after demanding the work described in my interview and at the times agreed upon as my working hours -- not between 10pm and 2am). Then I was threatened to watch out what I say after leaving(I worked for a leading PR company).
This is a serious problem in Korea and to be honest I am not sure what can be done to change things, since I lack the one essential thing that gets you at least a little respect: age and male gender.

student, 2010-04-01 08:35:31

Hi P.Walker, I'm a foreign student now doing my MBA here in Korea. I am doing a research paper on foreigners in Korea, would it be possible that I get more inputs from you? If possible, please send me an email to kmac1047@gmail.com. Thank you very much.

Ken, 2010-04-05 11:56:01

P. Walker. Though I emphathize with your frustrations, one of your larger issues in your article is the hiring criteria management stated for your replacement, e.g., Caucasian, female, and attractive. Were you outraged by the statement? Did you fit those criteria? I would like to believe that you were offended, but perhaps not in a position to address it at the time. I'm hoping that once established in your position and within your company, that you'll re-think and initiate a 'change' of attitude from within. Many of us are 'not' qualified based on these external criteria, regardless of qualifications...I know this is Korea; however, someone must initiate the change.

Dolly Yozzo, 2010-04-18 08:03:24

Caucasian, female, attractive???? Are they serious? This sounds like they are making a porno movie. I can't believe that they can get away with that. It is a sad, sad state of affairs in this country.

Mrs. L. Ahn, 2010-04-23 15:10:58

...I think you mistook the photo credited name to be the author (written at the top). I'm the author.
student: I'd love to help you out (I just sent you an email -sorry for the delay).
ken: Well, I fit the first 2 -the "attractive" criterion is, as we all know, subjective. Let's just say that my managers and a few colleagues were initially horrified to discover that I don't wear make-up^.~ ...but nobody died as the result of dealing with a non-made-up female -and I was not fired for it. I was hounded for a while, but they gave up quickly upon discovering that I wasn't upset by their badgering^.^

This particular job is in the hospitality industry. I'm not in a "hiring or firing" position. However, I have been in the past

Mrs. L. Ahn, 2010-04-23 15:15:50

...my comment got cut off:

"However, I have been in the past -and the only criteria were those that rendered a photograph unneccessary.
I will NOT be continuing to support this company by remaining employed here (I only stayed to fulfill my 1 year commitment). I'm not entering my last month here^.^

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