Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vox]

My public school offers extra classes to its students. So the deal is 30,000 per student for a month of 20 classes. Great deal on English, but good for the teacher if you get a classful, which is my case.

This one mother sends her child to my class four times in June, then puts him in cello class, and waits until the end of the month to ask not to be charged. So she has already been charged. So she asks for a refund from me. I explain that they're not charged per class, they're charged for access to the class and she needs to get organized and tell the school beforehand that she doesn't want to participate in English this month (it's been four months, so she's been aware of the deadline.) The issue is whether I should pay back 30,000 Won for 16 classes her child didn't attend. The larger issue is whether this is an acceptable policy for other mothers wishing to jump mid-flight into other extra classes and expecting that 30,000 Won will be given to them too. (The co-teacher says this particular mother is kind of nuts and she thinks it wouldn't set a precedent. But my point is that if they make it the policy that this is okay, it won't matter what she thinks.) At a class of 20 children, that amounts to an extra 600,000 Won in a month. So a student wishing to leave is no problem, but 20 mothers deciding they can all go join the cello or percussion or soccer or other extra classes and jump anytime according to their whim, well that could make for some problems, and quite possibly one less English teacher.

Is this reasonable? I think I'm going to stick to my guns. Would you give the 30,000 Won back?

[mrsquirrel]

Stick to your guns.

She paid and didn't use the service.

You can but a 16k phone card and not use it for 6 months and find it has run out. The company isn't going to give you the money back because you didn't use their service. You have paid for the ability to use their service if you want to.

Same goes for your classes, and considering the kid tried a few of them that is soiled goods.

Stick to your guns on this one.

[garykasparov]

That's a matter between the mother and your boss. Tell her to speak with your boss nex time. On to the reimbursement for classes issue. In my humble opinion, you should refuse to do it. Problems are going to start if your employer deducts from your monthly salary for the said reimbursement(s).

[vox]

Hey thanks guys,

I felt the decision was pretty much already made as I stood in the office and the teacher was asking me, 'but why is it crazy?' and I just replied, 'because it's so crazy!' But I did eventually find my ability to articulate why.

The thing is now, I feel like I've got to coach the poor homeroom teacher on being firm, and my co-teacher on being firm. I hope they don't collapse and come back again. It seems like a whole bunch of people in between the mother and I are trying to take the path of least resistance.

I'm glad at least I got the chance to write a letter in English to the mother (will be translated into Hangeul) explaining why she will not be getting her money back.

[mrsquirrel]

Did you use my phone card analogy?

[riley]

To keep this from happening again, I would reccomend a letter be sent out that says parents have to give notice by X day that they intend to drop the class to get a refund. Of course have it translated in korean. If you really want to cover your ass, make it signed by the parent and keep the copy.

[antoniothegreat]

I think Riley's idea is nice, but i wouldnt do that. I don't know of any service where you can pay, not use it, and then reasonably expect a refund. if her son went to a PC bang and paid but didnt use the computer, would he get a refund? no.

if you buy an airplane ticket, skip it and ask for a refund, what will happen?
no money.

there was no sudden emergency that occurred, like her husband got sick and and they need that money for health care.

that is ludicrous, she paid, her son could've gone to your class, but they chose not to.

if you give a refund, what happens when a kid is sick? do they get a refund?

what happens if a kid is late? do they get a refund?

i would be tempted to tell her that you are disappointed in her for making your job harder. you saw how many students were on the class roster, and planned for that many, when her son did not come, that left poor Subin without a conversation partner...

that's my 20 won.

[yingwenlaoshi]

I don't see why this is your concern.

[bosintang]

[koon_taung_daeng]

use the phone card analogy!!!!!!!!!!

[vox]

[spliff]

Typical, after she takes a dump on your head she expects you to thank her for the hat...

[Fishead soup]

This reminds me of college a guy pays for a room goes home every weekend and expects a discount on the utilities. The heat is going into his room whether he's there or not

[yingwenlaoshi]

[vox]