Today I was going to begin writing about my relaxing weekend at the temple but instead I am going to devote my lunch hour to i-to-i bashing!

Today I received another response from i-to-i regarding the ongoing saga of their incompetence and me asking for a refund. Once again the conclusion of their email was: “We are unable to offer a refund as we have fulfilled our side of the agreement.” Of course you have?

They still haven’t explained exactly what their side of the agreement is. I though it was:

1. A reputable school – if they include schools with illegal contracts and zero respect for their foreign staff then they get a tick in this box.
2. In country orientation – Now I would assume this to mean being shown around but if it actually means a five minute visit from the in country coordinator in the presence of the school director making it impossible to relay any concerns; then once again agreement fulfilled.
3. On going support from your in country coordinator – Now in this case they obviously mean being repeatedly lied to, confidential conversations being relayed to your boss and the support being offered to your boss rather than the i-to-i customer

Well done i-to-i you have successfully done everything your agreement SHOULD ensure you do NOT.

Onto the email I received today. They’d said they were going to contact John Lee about whether he offered me support with regards to leaving my job and my illegal contract. John rather predictability lied or they made it up and they emailed me back telling me I didn’t have a clue what I was talking about! Whatever happened to the customer is always right?

Their email said:

“He [John Lee] has advised me that he never received an email from you before you met at the school.”
Wrong. I sent him an email before I resigned requesting his support in dealing with my boss. He can say he never got it but I have proof it was sent.

“He [John Lee] advised me that he did ask if it was possible for you to remain at the school until they could get a replacement for you and you advised him this was not possible. I would imagine that this would be part of your contract to give them notice to replace you.”
Try finding out the facts rather than “imagining”. Yes John did ask if I would stay. No it is not possible for me to say in that place one minute longer then I have to. I have endured nine months of dragging myself into a job I despise I’m not going to do it any longer to help them out. As for the notice required in my contract. Have they seen my contract – NO! My contract does not require me to give the school any notice what so ever. I gave five weeks, one week more than is required by law and more than enough time to find a replacement. If they wanted to sack me the contract only requires them to give me two weeks notice – which incidentally is also illegal – Under the Labour Standards Act they have to give 30 days!

“This is a private employment contract between you and the school and has been used for approx ten years.”
Ten years, wow that’s a long time. Why then did the foreign instructor working there when I arrived have a different contract that didn’t contain the penalties?

“With regards to your contract he [John Lee] has advised me that it is legal with the Korean Justice department…he has assured me that there has been no illegal activities from the school’s side.”
No illegal activities on the part of the school. Oops the Korean Labour Standards act must be wrong. Better contact the Labour Standards board and tell they are wrong, obviously i-to-i knows better than them. I am also assuming i-to-i are able to provide me with the information from the Korean Justice Department that cancels out the Labour Standards Act.

“John has also advised me that the school’s director has advised that you will be paid any monies due to you as per
contract less the taxes and any bills.”

Yep. Right. The director has assured me of those things too, mainly because he needs to keep me sweet to help him find a replacement, but who is to say he will come through on his promise. Also just because the director says he will pay me doesn’t mean the contract is any less illegal – he has just chosen not to enforce it. The next person to come along may not be so lucky.

“He has also advised me that you are not liable for any penalty charges.”
Read my contract dumb arse, It’s written there in black and white. I am liable they are just saying they are not going to enforce them.

Anyway enough. I’m starting to get angry all over again!

I cannot believe I was stupid and naive enough to have been so conned by i-to-i. I hope just one person reads this and decides not to pay for a job through i-to-i. If that happens at least one person will have a happier time abroad.

* Posted by j150vsc on 22/05/2007.
* 1 comment