Korean Job Discussion Forums

[djplatinum]

Hey,

Tell me what you guys think I should do and if you have ever had this happen to you.

I went to my employer last night and asked him for my flight ticket and a copy of my contract so I can show the pension office that my contract is ending at the end of the month. My boss said to me with a surprised look on his face, "why do you need to go to the pension office." I said to collect my pension lol. He then said not to worry about it and that they will pay me it directly.

As soon as I heard this I knew exactly what was going on and that is that he is not paying the government the pension part of my employment and/or hasn't been claiming me as working for the school. I haven't had any problems with pay so far. My previous coworker was from England so he didn't get that back anyways and he finished last month. The school has just passed its first year of being in business about a month ago and I will be the first teacher I guess to be finishing the one year contract who is claiming the pension refund.

What do you guys think I should do? Should I just collect it from him at the end of the month or report his ass? Things were good the first couple months, we have had a blow up about mid way through my contract and things since then have just been so so. I know if I were to tell my buddy from England that it was deducted from his pay check and not sent to the government he would be really pissed because he doesn't even get it back being from England and he too didn't get along with our boss. Who also isn't paying him his deposit because he claims that my buddy lied to him and didn't finish report cards before he left lol.

Anyways, what do you guys think I should do in this case? I know it could be a real serious issue for the school if the government found out. Keep quite and collect it from them or collect it from them and then inform the government just out of spite since he has been a dick to me the last 6 months?

I know I won't probably do that, but has anyone had this happen before or heard of it happening?

[pocariboy73]

Collect the money from him, then report his ass. He deserves it! No mercy on those crooks. No mercy!

[cbclark4]

Why don't you just let him keep your money twice.

cbc

[sconner]

I had this happen to me. You are leaving and that is what your boss is counting on. He probably has no intention of paying you. Get your money now, do not wait, and if not, report him. My experience? The Canadian teacher who finished his contract six months before me was strung along by my boss for months until two days before he was leaving. He had expected my boss to pay his portion directly to him. Instead my boss just said sorry, and since the teacher was going back for grad school he could not stay and fight it. I battled with my boss over this for many months until four weeks before the end of my contract. He gave me every excuse in the book, including that he would make a lump sum payment at the end. Instead he tried to fire me in the eleventh month. I filed with labor and reported him to the pension office. In the end I got everything I was entitled to. Time is not on your side. If he gives you any stupid excuses don't hesitate to report him.

[Corky]

Your buddy could have gotten his half back that he contributed too.

[djplatinum]

Sconner when you fought it, how long did it take for you to go through all the process of fighting it and what all did you have to do and who did you have to contact if you don't mind me asking. Just in case I have to go through that all in the near near future. Thanks in advance.

Also, CBC, you really don't have much to contribute to these serious discussions other than smart ass remarks do you? Why do you post then if you are not trying to help out other people that are asking serious questions and are having problems. Maybe you have been in Korea for a couple years and already know all these problems, but not everyone comes here thinking it is this corrupt. I don't understand, do you get pleasure from reading these posts and replying to them in a negative way? I am sure you are mature enough not to act like this or at least I would hope so, otherwise I would feel sorry for the kids you are teaching because then it doesn't seem like you are a very patient person or are very supportive when your students make mistakes and probably just tell them they are stupid and should have known better.


Anyways, thanks to everyone so far that has given positive feedback. Also, if anyone else has any positive suggestions or comments, please let me know what you think or suggest.

[wings]

If you wait until you are about to leave I am pretty sure your boss will not give you any money at all. Since you will get your pension money regardless I think you need to make a deal with him. Tell him you will not report him if he gives you all monies owed RIGHT NOW (including what he deducted from you for medical) , give him 24 hours to get it all together. It seems like you have been a good employee, so he will play on that telling you "oh please, no problem, of course, but I need some time etc" then it will be too late for you to do anything about it.

I was in a similar situation (although not in Korea) I had always had what I thought was a great relationship with my employer. I didn't want to stir the pot as I liked my boss. I had to force myself to get angry at the fact that HE WAS BLATANTLY STEALING from me. This is what has happend to you, your boss has been stealing part of your pay for months.

Make sure that you get ALL your money ASAP. Go to him with contact information from all the appropriate offices. Tell him that you want what you would get from pension (your part and his matching amount) and all of your deductions from your "health insurance" in the next 24 hours. Be nice about it, tell him, you don't want to cause problems for him, his school etc, tell him you need the money in 24 hours, or you will be forced to call all these numbers. If he says no, then it is time to play hard ball.

Keep us posted to how it goes.

[luv2dance79]

If it is a new hagwon then chances are his business isn't established as a workplace. I'm dealing with pension issues at my school right now because my employer isn't paying into my pension. He has his teachers registered as Individually insured employees...or freelancers. According to the pension office website an individually insured employee is someone who is self-employed and a non-income earner aged 27 and older. I don't know how my boss is getting away with it, but he is.

Good Luck...and I agree that you should try and get the money from him first. If he is doing the same thing as my boss then he won't be required to pay pension. I've spoken with the pension office a few times and they couldn't make him pay.

[cbclark4]

[pocariboy73]

[cbclark4]

[pocariboy73]

[sconner]

djplatinum and luv2dance79: My boss was under reporting my income like luv2dance. I called the pension office many times and was told only my boss could make the changes, I don't understand this either. The numbers you will need are pension 1355, labor 1350, and maybe the Seoul Foreigner Help Center 02-731-6800. The help center will ask you if you need them to translate, with them calling you might be able to get the point across.
I had another number for pension, 02-2240-1083. I got a guy on the phone there that ultimately helped me. I can't remember his name, but his English is pretty good. He asked me if I wanted an investigation and someone was assigned to the case. This guy took pleasure in calling my boss and threatening him. They gave him a deadline to pay and threatened all kinds of fines if he didn't. I also filed with labor, and with all the illegal things my boss was doing, he finally settled with me, by which I mean he paid my most of what he owed me, scammed a bit on overtime.
Just keep calling. It's just a matter of getting the right person on the phone. Call a few times a day, call everyday. I wish you both luck and if you have anymore questions feel free to pm me.

[djplatinum]

CBC, yes I do read contracts and in great depth. But how are you to come to the conclusion that things are sketchy when things are running smooth and when you go to claim your stuff, you find out that they are not doing that stuff. Yet on your pay stub it shows that they are being deducted and everything seems legit. I am sorry if I have worked for legit companies that don't do that stuff back in Canada and can't forsee all the sketchiness that might come to light as the end of the contract approaches. So tell me, if things are going well and seem legit, do you go looking for problems? I wouldn't hope so.

[djplatinum]

Thanks sconner