Korean Job Discussion Forums

[iiicalypso]

It has been quite a while since I had a gripe (at least publicly) and I want to know what everybody thinks I ought to do.

I just started year two at my PS. Love the students, like most of the teachers, pretty much hate the school. Overall it is a satisfactory situation, or else I would not have come back.

The school is really large, and there is absolutely no organization. Whenever something needs to be done it is never clear who is responsible, and I shuffle from one office to another. Getting a copy of my contract for renewal took a grueling two months, for example.

Now, though, I have a serious problem. After five meetings and three missed deadlines, I still haven't gotten my airfare reimbursement and my 13th month money. I have talked to my coteacher, my passive-aggressive department head, my whitey-wrangler... nothing.

I know I will get paid-- the one great thing about the school is that they always pay up, and there has never been a problem. Now, however, I need the money. It is mine, I counted on getting it on time, and it isn't here. I have been told again and again to be patient.

Well, I am patient no more. My coteacher talked to the office earlier today, and they said they were going to "investigate" this, and asked if I could wait until the 25th. I told him no, I can't. Furthermore, I told him that if it isn't in the bank by the end of the day today (the third "promised" deadline), I am not coming in on Monday. He said that he didn't think they could do it "that quickly" (because transferring money is such a time consuming project).

So, I am leaving in about an hour and I will go to the bank and check my account. When the money isn't there (and I am pretty certain it won't be), what would you advise me to do? I have already made the threat, and I am ready to follow through despite the inevitable turd-storm that will follow. On the other hand I am not angry-- I just want my money, and I would love to avoid the trouble if I can.

Since being nice and patient hasn't worked, I see no other choice. Do you?

[mrsquirrel]

Got to follow through with the threat son.

Can't be making threats then not carrying them out.

Should have just gone to school and refused to teach.

[fromtheuk]

I am never paid on the 25th as my contract states. So what did I do? I simply walk to the admin. centre on the 25th of every month, the woman there gives me a filthy look with her trademark fake Korean smile, and I always get paid on time.

I have heard you can contact the labor board if pay is 15 days late. Call the board of education and tell them everything. Ask them for a way to resolve this quickly.

Or, go into school each day, say you don't feel well and probably won't until you get paid. We have beds in the nurses room. If you have the same at your school, lie down and get comfortable under the blanket!

[spliff]

Maybe they'll be using your monies to find a new whitey...

[xtchr]

[Scouse Mouse]

I am having a similar problem. I just moved into a new apartment and am furnishing it (on my own coin). I am waiting on the 13th month money, the airfare refund, AND my rent payment.

I was promised last week that this would be sorted this week, but this promise was made because the MOE had sent out the budget confirmation at the end of my old contract, and told my school that they would have the funds on Monday of this week. Unfortunately, the MOE have not been good on their promise, and so the school does not have the designated NT funds. Whilst I am sure they could 'borrow' the cash from elsewhere, they are reluctant to do so for whatever reason. They also seem reluctant to do what I would do, which is call the MOE and demand they get their act together.

My rent is due on Tuesday (I had some overlap on my previous school funded apartment) and so I have just left school after presenting a problem for them to solve: My rent is due Tuesday and I am short of cash as I have spent my wages on Thursday. I also need to buy food, and to put cash on my T-Money card. As rent is most important I feel I need to pay that before I worry about eating or paying for my subway rides to school. What should I do if I have no money to get to school on Tuesday?

I have a feeling my money (or at least a good chunk of it) will be with me on Monday.

[CentralCali]

Public school? Here's the chain of resolution:

1. Supervising co-teacher.
2. Finance officer at school.
3. His or her department head.
4. Vice-principal.
5. Principal.
6. Regional Office of Education's school inspector.
7. Provincial/Metropolitan City Office of Education's coordinator of foreign teachers.
8. Provincial/Metropolitan City's Minister of Education (actually, his office staff).
9. Labor Board.
10. Court.
11. Local newspaper.

You should never have to get anywhere past step #6. If you do, it will get very ugly very quickly for all the people below the step you end up going to.

[TheChickenLover]

[Whistleblower]

I am short of cash as well. Any reason why there is a block against the word short? Let me spell it out for you:

S>H>O>R>T>

[Siesta]

It took 2 months for me to receive my airfare money but it was because my district supervisor lost my reimbursemet info. I re-sent it. No response for 2 weeks. She emailed me. Repeat process. Many more emails later, they finally sent my school the airfare and I received my money. Check with your district office.

I re-signed with smoe this year and I was told that I'd receive my 2 severence payments in a lump sum at the end of my contract this year. That may be why you haven't received yours.

[agoodmouse]