Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mack4289]

So I'm working at a new school, it's only been open for 3 months, and it's not done too well. I'll be leaving at the end of this month, but some of the things happening at the school over the past few days make me wonder if I'll be paid at the end.

1. My work hours are supposed to be 2-9, but they want me to work 11-9 on Wednesday to teach Moms' classes (they're offering classes to local Moms in the late morning/early afternoon, I'm guessing for a very low rate). I complained about this, since no one else was working hours like that and I wasn't being offered extra pay (boss said that the school couldn't afford it) or any other classes off. We have a new teacher willing to cover my early or late classes (she's only got one class for now), but they didn't want her to teach them because they say she isn't ready. But I kept complaining (yeah I was kind of a baby about it) and the boss agreed to let the new teacher teach the 1st two Moms' classes.

The next morning, though, I got a few text messages a little before 7am, saying that I would be teaching the class, that there would be no more negotiation, and that he would take away the vacation days he promised at the end of the month if I didn't (days that, based on my contract, I'm entitled to). He also said he'd pick me up for the class, then said there'd be no more pickups of teachers for the Moms' classes (we live two bus rides away from the school, not "within walking distance", as we were promised). I called to speak to him but he didn't answer his cell phone. I called the school, asked to speak to him, distinctly heard his voice in the background, but when they told him I was on the phone, suddenly the receptionist tells me he's in the bathroom. I waited for him to pick me up and he didn't show, so I missed the Moms' classes, and now he's demanding that I make them up and saying it was my fault.

2. He's told me a few times in the past few days that the school's having money problems. He asked me if I'd been paid on April 1st and when I told him I had been, he told me not to tell anyone else. I asked him why and he just laughed nervously. A few Korean teachers were not paid but are supposed to be paid soon. He was very upset today to hear that teachers at a school affiliated with us were saying that our school was closing; he even pulled one teacher out of class to ask if she knew who started the rumor and he asked another teacher, "Who the f*ck started this rumor?"(there's been talk of the school failing for a while, it's not a secret that it's not doing well).

So I'm worried that because we've argued a few times and he probably doesn't like me much and because I'm making a lot of money, that he won't pay me at the end of the month since he knows I'm leaving Korea and wouldn't be in a position to fight him on it. I've been wondering if it would be better to just run now, instead of waiting to see if he'll pay me.

[shaunew]

RUN!!!!!

[samd]

Don't run

[yingwenlaoshi]

How long have you been at this school?

If your contract states that your hours are 2 to 9, then anything you work before this schedule is OT at whatever rate the contract states. Or maybe your contract is vague. I don't know.

How far is it to walk to your school?

How many students do you teach?

[caniff]

If you don't run and you continue working, DON'T tell him you're leaving Korea after you finish your contract.

Let him believe you will be remaining in Korea (and tell him you have a Korean fiance). That way he'll think that you will be here to give him a hard time in the event that he doesn't pay you.

[ED209]

You're getting screwed. Run.

Sorry, it's late did I read this right? He wants you to do over-time but won't pay you extra because he doesn't have the money?! You ain't getting paid at the end of the month. Run.

You could tell him you're at the bus stop ready to go to the airport but that you'll stay if he pays you not only OT but also daily. No cash no teachee. Could be interesting, could blow up in your face.

[kingplaya4]

If I had even 5 grand in the bank and I charge card I would definitely run in your situation assuming you haven't exaggerated it. Less would be tough, but it still might be better if you think you're probably not getting paid. But if you got 5 grand to your name or better, I think there's no decision here, you're getting screwed.

[Adventurer]

You are being exploited. I am not sure what to tell you. Call the labour board. They can't make you work what is not in the contract. Call the Labour Board immediately instead of just doing a runner.

[caniff]

[mack4289]

Considering the hassle that I imagine the Labor Board would be and the low amount of money I would be paid if I did win the overtime, it doesn't seem worth it to go to the Labor Board.

[RACETRAITOR]

Don't you hate it when a boss says they don't have the money to pay you for work? It's not like you're doing it because you want to.

That line of reasoning wouldn't work at a supermarket. "I can't pay for this caviar because I don't have the money." Then you're not getting it.

[yingwenlaoshi]

You know what's funny? Those recruiters that advertize for private jobs and they want to pay you after a month. Because that's the way it's done in Korea. I'd be shitting for the whole month wondering if I were going to be paid while wasting all my time and money on the subway.

Privates should at least pay you after each lesson and maybe that's what Korean employers should do. Really.

[yingwenlaoshi]

[mack4289]

Here's an email I got from him, sent to all the English teachers in my school. Does this sound like someone's who's going to pay me at the end of the month?

Hello everybody,

I am sending this message to everyone in english dept.. Now, let me make clear how this english dept. will work from today.

Mack4289 and Teacher R you two are already receiving enough salary even though we have 25 students in this school. Please do not ask overtime-work pay whatsoever. Your salary are already included overtime working hours. Probably you would say Ex-Employee W [guy who offered me the job and has since been fired] didn't mention about this thing before, eventually he made a big mistake to this school. I will never forgive his fault! After all, I could make a change of your contract but I didn't. I wanted to make sure you guys are happier once you are here in [school name]. You two have to keep this in your mind.

Mack4289, please follow whatever we make the time schedule. The time schedule we are making is not even heavy at all. Also you missed the class on Apr. 2nd, Wedn. so you have to do make-up class later since I told Mom. No excuse what happened yesterday. Now you got to take Mom's class on every Wedn.. You follow our schedule and regulation then you get what you want. If you don't, you get nothing.

Teacher L. you need more practice to improve your teaching skill, we won't put you in many classes until I said "You are ready". I am not the one who just put any native speakers in class. The truth is that anybody can not teach students due to native speaker.

Let me make clear about Korean Teacher M's job. She has been hired as assistant teacher in order to help understanding homework and class work for students. She is not hired to just check student's homework. Every teacher check own student's homework from today. We are going to open english grammer class for students soon. And Korean Teacher M will take that class.

Korean Teacher M, we are going to hire you as a qualified teacher in fluent speaker, such as Korean and English. You have to help students amke sure if they understand school work all the time. And you have to help mid-term exam.being ready for junior-high students. Also we are opening english grammer class, this will be your own class.

About holidays, we are going to take a break on Apr. 9th, national election day and May,12th, Buddist day. Let the students know about this. Now more arguments about holidays.

Lastly, English Director C is the director of english in this school. She is building a curriculum for english program in [school name]. Mack4289, Teachers R, L and M, you guys have to follow her order and regulation. I won't listen anything from you guys, which mean you have to talk with English Director C first and then she will send a message for me.

One more thing, there will be no more pick-up and ride for english teachers [they were picking us up for the Moms' classes]. So everybody take a public transportation to get here.

Best wishes,

Boss E

[ttompatz]

I think that the day after payday you should be on the next plane to your favorite beach destination.

You have (or should have) learned from this mistake.

Take a long holiday, get your stuff together and try again.

.