Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Son Deureo!]

[just because]

Just go up to your owner and say this in Korean. Very simple but very to the point.
Neh Doni Obsoyeo,
Graesoh, (insert name)do Obseyeo.
To put it simply,
You don't have my money I won't be here as well.

[ajuma]

While watching Arirang today, I heard about a company where the employees didn't get paid for 6 months! Guess you should count yourself lucky???

Seriously...just stop going to work until you get paid. Tell the owner (she'll understand enough to get this!) "No pay, no work."

[The Marchioness]

What the funk: this is what I do when the old payola is not forthcoming: I look the boss in the eye, I say 'wonjangnim, this is bad idea' and he gets my drift right quick because my pay is in my bank account that evening or the next day!

First month: He: I cannot pay you until end of contract. Me: (grab his hand and say 'it's been nice knowing you; right now I'm off to the Seoul Immigration people and the ministry of labour; they will be interested in hearing all about this)'. (He pays up.)

Second month: He: I no money; I pay maybe tomorrow. Me: 'well, good luck; me go to Sauna and then sleep; so sorry, no foreign teacher
tomorrow.' (He pays that evening.)

Third month: He: my hagwon not good; no students; me no pay. Me: 'thank you; please give me a letter of release; I have another school that wants me really bad.' He: no, no. I pay tonight. (He pays up.)

Fourth month (he is a tedious sore on the behind of the world): I ask for my pay one day ahead because I know what's coming. I even give him a choice - pay me today or pay me tomorrow, but I know it's Chuseok tomorrow and I know you're a busy man playing (playing) to the ancestors. At least that's how he pronounces it. Anyway, he tells me that no, I will pay after holiday and we talk back and forth and finally I look him square in the eye and say firmly: 'I don't think that's a good idea.' He (five hours later): I put money in your account. Me: 'all of it?' He (exasperated): 'all of it.'

So, yeah, just stand your ground; the tedious bugger will soon hand over the readies. Don't put up with any crap and they'll knuckle under, but if you let them think they can get away with it, they will roll you over and play with you.

Look after yourself; you deserve it.

[canuckistan]

Like your style! You go girl!

[Tancred]

i don't know if this is still going on WTF...but it's been over a week since Chu-Seok. I wouldn't even acquiesce to leniancy because of the holiday. Business is business. She knows when she's supposed to pay you. Presumedly you don't skip out on classes because you're "too busy". You've done your job. She has to pay. If i were you, I would tell the Head Teacher that you're going to the labour board immediately unless you get your pay. Be furious about it. That's just ridiculous.

[mishlert]

Marchioness, how can put up with that crap for 4 months? I would have been looking for another job into the 2nd month, gotten my pay, and given him 1 week notice.
As for the advice that others have given about leaving, I say be careful.
Saying that, it should be the last resort as he should contact EFL Law first and let them now what is going on.
If he decides to go with route of leaving then this is what he should do.
He should tell the owner, verbally and in writing, that if he's not paid in 1, or 2 days he will no longer work at the hogwon. If he's not paid on the deadline he should show up to the school and not work until he has his letter of release. Why? As long as he's at the school when he is supposed to be his boss can't fire him.
Some of you will say that by not working the boss has grounds to fire him, but he has been given notice, hasn't paid him, and has not released him from his contract ( letter of release ). All these things can be proved if needed:
- No money in his account from the school.
- No release letter in his hand.
- Two copies of the notice; the original with the employee, and a copy with the owner.
Again, contact EFL Law first.

[The Marchioness]

Hey Mishlert: I put up with the crap, as you put it for a very good reason; I'm standing my ground so that he will learn not to mess with a teacher. If more of us would do the same thing, teachers would not be screwed over the way they are being screwed over!

Another viable reason is that Seoul Immigration is very reluctant to cancel a contract and issue another E-2 visa before a certain period has elapsed; that is to prevent the fly-by-nights from practicing their own nasty little tricks. Since I wish to honour my contract, and still come out with a semblance of self-respect, this is the way I have chosen to handle the situation. He IS learning, but very slowly, and I have all the patience in the world. I'll make him knuckle under just for the principle of the thing. It's really easy to resign, but it's a test of one's character to stick with something that like that.

I've done the runner once before, and I refuse to do it again. If I had known more about my own strength, I would have taken my 'then' director to the cleaners, but I was dumb ....

[mack the knife]

Relax. The law is on your side. Your boss has a two week grace period, after which you may bring the issue up with the Labor board. No fear. You will get your money.

[whatthefunk]

I 1mil. of it, still fighting for the rest. She says she has no money, but I don't buy that at all. Im very concerned about my bonus that im supposed to get in 1 1/2 months.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[panthermodern]

Why?

Why people still put up with this?

No pay, no work.

[whatthefunk]

[Son Deureo!]

Have you considered also threatening them with the Tax Office? If they're not paying you properly, they're probably also trying to cheat the taxman. Just the threat of the Tax Office has moved mountains before...

[whatthefunk]