Korean Job Discussion Forums

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I thought public school meant pay on time. In July, I got paid 4 days later than the date I was told I would get paid.

I got paid in July I believe only because I approached the admin center in the absence of my co-teacher.

I haven't been paid for August yet, and today my co-teacher will raise this with the admin center, because I told my co-teacher about this yesterday and today.

What pathetic incompetence! I will check using my bank book at an ATM, to see if my overtime July payments were paid, my co-teacher advised that.

I didn't know you could use bank books at ATM's to check what's paid into your account, until recently.

Any advice, if there are similar future problems?!!!

Gamecock · Joined: 26 Nov 2003

Become friendly with the school accontant and remind them a couple days before payday. It's a pain, but better than being paid late and the build-up of frustration that goes along with it.

The same thing happened to me when I started at my elementary school. My pay was regularly a day or two late unless I reminded the accountant in our admin office. I was the first foreign teacher they ever had and the problem was that my payday is the 25th of each month, while ALL the other school teachers get paid on the 17th. It's just a matter of me being off her radar...

It is incompetent, but my guess is it isn't malicious. Reminding them with a smile beforehand will do wonders compared to anger after they've made the mistake, because you're getting what you want and not causing them to lose face...you gotta play their game...haha.

wanderingsalsero · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Location: Houston, TX.

I work at a public high school in Namyangju. I get paid a bit later in the month than the Korean teachers and I've gotten paid 3 time exactly when it was expected. they send it directly to my (local) bank account. Works fine for me.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

I've never had a problem with getting paid. The finance staff in my school are quite on top of all the issues related to pay for everyone in the school. How do they manage to do that? It's quite simple: they follow the manual the Metropolitan Office of Education provided them and which governs their job.

wanderingsalsero · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Location: Houston, TX.

I didn't mean to say that I got paid late. I just have a different 'payday' than the rest of the teachers. It didn't make any difference to me.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Have you ever been paid late in Korea?
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=18732

Have you been paid late in Korea?
Never - I must be lucky! 32% [ 48 ]
Once or twice - no big deal, minor annoyance... 21% [ 31 ]
Several times - hate it! 20% [ 30 ]
Several times - but I understand the culture, doesn't bother me. 4% [ 7 ]
Many times - sigh... 16% [ 24 ]
WTF! I've never been paid on time! ARGH!!!!!!!! 4% [ 7 ]
Total Votes : 147

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I want to be fair and not a Korean-basher for the sake of it.

My co-teacher spoke with the admin center, they said they had forgot to pay me, because they have a new member of staff there.

They apologized and said I'd get the pay on Monday.

I feel because I am the only native teacher at the school, I kind of escape their notice in some way, anyway, they shouldn't make the same mistakes again.

Ttompatz - I respect your opinions on Korea, because you seem to have knowledge and experience. I will wait and see what happens with September's pay.

I would feel reluctant to say I won't attend class unless I am paid right on time, but if this turns out to be a frequent headache, I may be forced to do that, really as a last resort.

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Optimus Prime · Joined: 05 Jul 2007

I started an Afterschool program July 18th. Gave me 1 million won on Aug. 1st. Nothing for August though they said the pay period is Aug 1-31. They want to hold back my pay for 17 days, and presumably wire me the final paycheck after I have left Korea 17 days prior. Yeah, right, huh?

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Money can be transferred to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I'd be demanding that they pay me NOW. Call whoever they must, but pay me NOW.

That's the way I am. Public school or not. Upset someone or not. Look like a monster in their eyes or not. The real monster is not paying me on time. Act like a monster and you get a monster.

nicholas_chiasson · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Location: Samcheok

-I just noticed your user name...why are so many sinologists in korea?

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

You couls always take a few hostages until you get paid.