Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sneppl]

My bf has had a bunch of crap at his school and is debating what course of action to take. I suggested being diplomatic about things and trying not to freak but he is tempted to go on strike until it's all settled.

Has anyone tried this approach? He just got paid yesterday so there's not threat of them withholding salary, but I wonder if it would do any good to not show up to work.

His problem in a nutshell was that his school took out money (300,000) for what his contract says is a deposit he's meant to get back after six months (he was meant to get it back this week). the school now says it was a cleaning fee and that he won't get it back. Also, school is in tandem with his landlord about collecting 300,000 won for his ceiling that collapsed during the chu-seok typhoon. his boss, who of course can't speak english, is a complete imbecile.

any advice?

[jpal75]

Question: Is your bf the only foreigner? If no, then getting them on his side would be a bonus.
A similar event has happened with friends of mine; 3 m and 1f (they had since flown the coupe) There were 4 foreigners in their hagwon and their boss kept doing things like 1. Delayed pay 2. Unreliable timetable - he keeps changing their times 3. Working 6 days a week regardless of lack of students he expected them to just hang around the office even if they have no classes.
ACTION: They wrote down their grievances and together they confronted their boss with a Korean colleague (who was luckily very supportive in their venture) to ensure that there's no mis-communication.
RESULT: The pay was on time since. 2. A timetable was set 3. They had a rotational Sat off. ie One teacher has a Sat off.
They all had their bonus paid for completing the year with no problems.

LONG TERM RESULT: Since then the Hagwon owner chooses to hire females (bec they're less likely to cause a fight)

IF your BF is on his own - think twice about the STRIKE he is dispensable. Haven't you seen the number of people coming to here to work? They'll find someone else.
If he has a korean friend it's always good to discuss his grievances first with a translator.

[sneppl]

thanks for your reply

he isn't on his own...

The Korean teacher who has been his translator for his messes is totally on the school's side. We wrote a letter to his director and I suggested having one of my korean teachers (a great pal) translate it to make sure the meaning is clear. But it would be good if one of his korean teachers would be more helpful. the one whose english is best hasn't been very helpful this week.

I've suggested he not do anything too rash but easy for me to say.

[jpal75]

Apathetic workmates...the worst kind.
That's the problem with the majority of problems that occur for teachers here in Korea.
They complain about situations but once they're in the clear too many choose to just walk away and leave the problem to the next person.
Regarding your BF the question for you to pose on him is what steps is he really willing to take further?
Is his 'foreign' colleague aware of his situation?

[Bulsajo]

Damage caused by a typhoon?

My first thought is that it sounds like they're using his deposit to pay the deductable for the insurance, but I don't really know if Korean insurance works that way. And even if it does, is it acceptable to use the damage deposit for damage he had absolutely no control over? I don't know the answer to that either, but I do know who should have the answer to both questions: www.EFL-LAW.com

Assuming he gets no other satifactory answer from them or help from his co-workers then it sounds like he has to really sit down and think about worst-case outcomes of whatever action he decides to take (strike or suck it up).

I'd be pissed off, sure- but striking might not get him any closer to getting his W300,000; Worst case scenario: it could lead to events that would see him losing his job and possibly getting kicked out of Korea. I guess he has to decide whether it's worth it.

I know when you're done wrong like this it feels pretty unfair and you just want what is rightfully yours because it's the PRINCIPLE of the whole thing. This is true but I'm reminded of what someone once told me regarding walking in front of cars that speed through red lights when you have the crossing signal: "Sure you'd be RIGHT, but you'd also be DEAD- and what's the point of being right AND being dead?"

Anyway, before all this 'worst-case scenario' stuff gets you or him down- contact EFL-LAW.