Korean Job Discussion Forums

[philinkorea]

well i've got 2 weeks of teaching left. my contract expires november 24th. i will get my monthly salary on november 15th which will cover work from from september until october 24th. will still be owed for my final month and my 1 months severence pay.

my contract is standard i think in that it says you get your severence on completion of contract. everyone i've spoken to says about getting all your cash on the final day. thats what i'm trying to get.

i'm going to the phillipines on a return ticket before going back to england and was going to go back to england december 10th. my school have suggested giving the rest of my pay on that 15th of december or before the end of the year. i dont like this as i don't want to fully leave korea before having all my pay as i dont trust it. i wouldnt mind making some sort of compromise to get it on the 8th december which is a couple of weeks after i finish my contract ad before i go back to england.

i'm not sure what to do or what i can do. what power do i have? i'm really trying at the moment to just get it before i walk out the door my final day but i cant see that happening. i thought maybe i could sat a limit of december 15th and then stay in the phillipines a week longer, come back here then speak to someone if i dont get it. just a bit confused at the moment about whats best. the manager is speaking to her husband about it at the moment anyway. someone offer some suggestions please.

[Harvard Material]

I would suggest that you get a Korean friend to contact the Labor board for you a week or so in advance of your departure; unless you speak Hangeul fluently!
Inform an officer about your situation, the agreement(s) they are trying to offer you, and have them contact the school/institute to remind them that all money is due on your final day - all of it! Severance, salary...collect all your tax documents. Everything. It is all due before you step out the door for the last time. Take care of it now. I wouldn't leave it until December 8th, or the 10th; or for the manager to discuss your financial issues with her husband. What does he have to do with it? Is he a co-worker? Co-manager??

Going home without it in hand is, possibly, like going home and never seeing your remaining 4,000,000won. Don't be overly aggressive when you request it by your final day - Nov' 24th - but request that and stick to that. Your manager knows the rules. You work a month in advance and they want to pay you almost a month after the fact? I think they are hoping you take off trusting them. You might be disappointed.

Maybe they are trustworthy, but why do we keep locks on doors? It keeps people honest. If they are trustworthy they will do as the code says in the first place; final day-final payment (less taxes and outstanding bills of course). They shouldn't be offended. You fulfilled your contract requirements?

Hope you have no problems, and a great Christmas back in the U.K.!

H.M.

[rapier]

Korean directors are tricky and full of unexpected surprises. As far as i know, and in my experience, its normal to recieve all money owed to you on your final day, except for perhaps deposit for bills which they usually withold until clearing any outstanding payments.
Sounds like your school may be suffering financially and delaying paying up until they recieve some expected monies. Either that, or they want to hold some of your cash incase there are any utility bills or damage at your appt. Which is reasonable.
However, they appear to be holding rather a large amount of yours...definitely a little worrying. Only you know how trustworthy they are. Consult your contract. It should say when exactly they are supposed to pay you- and show it to them.
I know what you mean about feeling powerless about the situation- especially if you're the only foreigner at your school.
At least they're still talking, negotiating and being reasonable about everything. keep it this way.
Once you agreed to a pay deadline, stick to it. If they sc**w you, theres always the fierce labor board to support you.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.....

[Gord]

[crazylemongirl]

[Harvard Material]

Guess I stand corrected. I was certain the last day was when all money was to be paid, but...

[shawner88]

One idea that's worked before and depends on the situation ( I wouldnt do this to a trustworthy boss), is to tell him you want to sign on again. As long as he pays you the return airfare money and severance pay on the last day of your contract you will resign for another year. This way in his mind he doesnt have to worry about replacing you. He may even arrange your extension with immigration so you get a new visa and time to to fight him if he doesnt fork up on time.