Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PeterDragon]

A couple of questions:

I'm a little strapped for cash (my own fault, for the record; spent too much over my break), and my next payday is falls on Saturday the 25th. In this situation, do public schools pay a day early (Friday?), does the deposit show up Saturday, or does it get bumped to Monday? And is there a way to get an advance on my next check from the school?

[tob55]

In your case, speak directly to your school regarding any emergency you might have for money. They may very well give you an advance once depending on what the actual need is...However, they are less likely to give you an advance if they discover you simply have no good reason to be asking. Most of the time the co-teacher or someone whom you can trust to communicate effectively will help you with this...I can't remember the situation, but I recall two friends in different cities receiving a small advance of 300,000 KRW on their pay check, but it only happened once in each case...You might be better off finding a close friend you can borrow the money from until pay day which would actually help you save face with the Koreans in the first place...Just my advice, but they have been known to give advances in special situations...

BTW, if the 25th falls on a weekend your contract should state that you will be paid on the business day preceeding the weekend. I know of a few people who's schools have waited until the following Monday, but that is very rare...

[ucfvgirl]

You will get paid on the 24th. And as for an advance...sorry to burst the bubble, but fat chance on that one. If it's public school, they are pretty strict on giving out money on the day it's due. However, I encourage you to try...you never know.

[kat2]

Your chances of getting an advance are nil. And your chances of being respected at all after asking for an advance are less than nil. Find a close friend to borrow from or tough it out for the next week. Next time, learn how to budget.

[PeterDragon]

"Next time, learn how to budget." Well, that's the biggest lesson I walk away from this with, obviously. My biggest concern was getting paid on the 24th. An advance would be nice, but even without it, I have enough money to last until Friday, but not long after.

I asked the regional office for an advance, and as predicted, they said no. I don't think I lost anyone's respect though. They were quite sympathetic about it, as I'm still in my first two weeks here, and there's an understanding that moving to another town nickeled and dimed me to death. Which it did, not to mention that the Hagwon I was at until three weeks ago managed to cheat me out of about 300,000 KRW< even AFTER I siced immi on them. (The OTHER lesson I walk away form this with is to be *very* careful if I ever choose to work for a Hagwon again...)

But, I have everything I need for the house, a full fridge and pantry, no bills due for two more weeks. It'll be tight, but I'll make it.

[Atavistic]

[shaunew]

[tigerbluekitty]

[PeterDragon]

[littlelisa]

[wylies99]

[crusher_of_heads]

[PeterDragon]