Yesterday, I mentioned the possibility of having to stay on till October or possibly next year if I wish to extend my current contract with Immigration restrictions being cited as the reasoning. Thanks to a kind commentator here, some helpful posters on Dave’s ESL and a phone call to Immigration; my suspicions, or shall I say others’ suspicions – I fell for it hook, line and sinker! – have proved justified as there’s no restrictions at all on how long or short you wish to extend your current contract provided your have the required documentation and fee to do so.
What I experienced yesterday was a cock n’ bull story to get me railroaded into signing another year of my life doing something I’d possibly not want to do! I may not be China, but yesterday I was damn near Shanghai-ed, I tells ya!
Needless to say I’m not incredibly impressed about the lies, manipulation and deceit to get me to do something I ultimately don’t want to do. If the individual in question had been truthful and told that I cannot get an extension for less than one year with this employer, I would have respected them and their decision much more than being fed a healthy of bullshit.
I’m going to play it cool until our next meeting whereby I’ll them know that their story is a crock of shit. This will buy me time to make a firm decision on what to do, where to go next. A big part of me now doesn’t want to extend at all given the lies and deceit that was replaced for truth and integrity in what should be a mature business negotiation. But, hey in Korea, the ends often justify the means!
I wonder if the boss pleading ignorance will be a ploy during your next meeting. As if things aren’t difficult enough already.
Its better you found out sooner rather than later. While they did lie to you, perhaps, in their own little Korean way, it was a sign of how much they appreciate you there?
Please let us know all the juicy details of your next meeting.