Korean Job Discussion Forums

luv2dance79 · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Suwon

I'm in my ninth month of work and two weeks ago my crapwan asked me if I would come back and work another year. I was told they really like me, and I could leave for a couple of months and come back to start another year. I told them I didn't have intentions of coming back, but I was asked to think about it for a week.

There wasn't much to think about...Lets see....no pension, refusing to give me my vacation time that is owed to me, school not registered as a workplace which probably means they are pocketing my taxes, no paid sick days, and oh yeah...eyes in the sky, being watched 24/7 and treated like a fucking infant. No thanks.

Last week, I told the boss's wife, who has pretty much taken over and is on a complete power trip...that I didn't want to renew my contract. I proceeded to ask about my five days vacation that is still owed to me. Again, I was told she'd have to check with her husband. On Tuesday I asked if she had talked with her husband and if they decided when I could take off. She told me they were still considering it. Considering was the word...really, what is there to consider? I was told that she wanted to have a meeting with me on Wednesday. Here's how that went.....

"I really hate to have these kinds of talks. Ummm....well, blah, blah, let me try and talk in circles for a minute..." I knew where it was going and saved her having to say it (since Koreans don't seem to have any ba**s.) I ask "Am I being fired?"
"Yes" is her reply.
So of course, you can imagine I'm in shock. What? Why? You just asked me to renew my contract not even two weeks ago. Then I start going off about how I need that bonus, the pay and the ticket home. She tells me that they are still going to give me the bonus and the plane ticket, but they want me to finish my contract early. I was told that they would send my bonus to me a month after I leave. HA! I mean really, do they honestly think I'm gonna fall for this. Has anyone else heard of getting your bonus a month after you leave?

I'm so pissed off! I've heard of this happening so much to people. While they say they are going to give me what I'm owed, I don't trust them for a minute. Is there anyone I can contact about this? Her reasoning for firing me is for an incident back in June when I questioned them about not getting pension. Another reason I'm being fired is because I've been sick. No joke! But I've worked every day while being sick! Yes, I've been coughing for weeks now...but she told me yesterday they think I have health problems because I've been coughing so much. WTF!

Any thoughts or advice you guys have to make sure I get my money would be great...Needless to say, I called in sick today.

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject:

Go to Labor.

rhinocharge64 · Joined: 20 Sep 2006

Firstly, it aint a bonus, it's severence. Mention that you are going to the Labour board, her arsee will drop out considering the business is not registered. Make a stand my friend these Hogwon bosses need bringing down.

All the best

ceesgetdegrees · Joined: 12 Jul 2007

Why bother with the labour board? they can't do bugger all, if the case is taken to court, which will take months, and the court rules in your favour, you will be lucky to see anything even then. Everybody in these cases say's "go to labour" well it's a waste of time and energy, you have two choices, either suck it up and get jammed up the poop shoot or fight fire with fire and stand up for yourself. Koreans really can be such devious, shallow, money grubbing little pricks at times.

Ut videam · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Boodleheimer · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject:

they're not a registered workplace?

def. go to Tax and Pension.

luv2dance79 · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Suwon

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:

luv2dance79 · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Suwon

lowpo · Joined: 01 Mar 2007

lowpo · Joined: 01 Mar 2007

poet13 · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:10 pm Post subject:

I think the scariest monster under the bed for any Korean is the Tax office.

Labor and pension didn't scare my old hakwon boss much, but she near crapped herself when I told her that I had called the tax office.

You can also sit down and do the math with her.
Let's see.....pension is going to be this much...back tax plus penalty this much more......health is going to be this much.....my vacation day are this much....plane tix are this much.....severance pay is another 2 point something.....etc.....
(Write the numbers down in a column as you go....the visual is good.)

Then offer to settle for a little less.

joewaller · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Location: Bundang

Which labor office did you contact? If you contact the local offices and they aren't helpful, climb the ladder and visit the HQ for each branch. I've found that to be effective.

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

Go to your local city government office. Ask for a copy of your tax records, that costs around 2,000 won the last time I did it. You don't need to explain a thing to the govt office. Just ask for a copy of the taxes witheld from your salary. With that document in your hand you now have leverage over your boss (if they are indeed shady). If you can figure out the document yourself have a trusted korean friend do it for you.

If, on the other hand, there is no record, (meaning your boss has been scamming you and the govt) you can now blow them out of the water. You may not get what owed to you but revenge can be sweet.

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

I don't know which Labor Office CEES... has been talking to, but I'd go to another.

You just file your claim online against the owner and they're obliged to pursue it.

Don't listen to nonsense advice...go, and go back, to the Labor Office...
(take a translator friend with you, or have them fill the form for you online)

Good luck