Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ckub]

Hey guys,

As per my contract, if I quit before ending my one year contract, I have to pay the value of the return ticket which was provided to me by my employer.

Ok, so I was not provided with a return ticket, only a one way. So first, we agreed that I would repay the value of that ticket. But then, my boss told me that I would only have to pay 50% of that one-way ticket.

It doesn't state anywhere in my contract that if I completed at least 6 months, I am not to repay the portion of my way here.

So here's my questions...

-First, my boss is a cheap old lady, and I don't see why she is making me a favour by charging me only 50% on the one way, so an amount of $565 dollars. So this is strange to me?

- Would it be possible that I don't even have to pay this? That there is a law saying that after six months, I am not to repay the one-way ticket?

Just so you get the whole picture, now my boss is asking me to stay a week longer, which means changing my plane ticket will cost 100$. I told her they would pay for it, but because they are doing me a favour, they will not pay this on top. She didn't say it, but it sounded like if I leave on the date that I gave them, the favour will be one, and I'll ended up paying the full one way ticket, instead of 50$ of it.

Complicated, I know. I need you help, advice, opinions. Please don't give me crap by signing a crappy contract, I know.

[moosehead]

leave on pay day after they pay you.

adios

hasta la vista

don't look back.

stop feeling so guilty - I'm sure you put in your time -

[cruisemonkey]

Airfare is strictly a contractual matter.

[Xuanzang]

Check out the terms of your contract - usually near the end

[poet13]

The standard agreement is that after 6 months, the cost of the incoming ticket is forgiven. At the end of the contract (if completed successfully) then the cost of the outgoing ticket is either provided or forgiven if they paid it up front.

Check your contract, but asking you to pay ANYTHING toward the incoming ticket after 6 months is not reasonable.

Also, if agree to help them out by staying a week longer, they should not only be paying for the cost of the ticket change, but a fat premium (UP FRONT or DAILY) on top of your regular wages.

They need you. You don't need them.

[Teelo]

[nene]

It seems to me, and this is how it's written in my public school contract - that the first six months earns your airfare here, the second earns your airfare home. You're saving them severence payment by leaving mid-way, but you're costing them by forcing them to find and pay for another hire six months sooner than they would have had to otherwise.

If it's not explicit in your contract, I'd try for not repaying the ticket after six months. Most people would just split... good for you for owning up to it... and they should be aware of that.

[wayfarer]

Good grief just split, Korea took enough from you already.

[egrog1717]

I love how certain contracts demand that you pay this or that if you leave early... Flight ticket money, resettlement fee, apartment bills, wages, etc etc etc... And yet if you fly home a day after payday there really isn't any way they can enforce this unless you're stupid enough to come back and knock on your old bosses door, lol...

[bobbybigfoot]

You are likely screwed on this one. Your employer will just withhold the price of the airfare from your last paycheck. My first contract stated 6 months was needed to forgive the first ticket. My latest contract states that I owe the entire cost if I don't complete one year. I knew that I wouldn't be leaving before the year is up so I didn't worry about that issue. If I had been uncertain, I'd have pressed the issue or chosen another school.

[ttompatz]

Airfare is a contractual issue (unless you are being deported).

If your contract says nothing then you have NO protection from your hakwon. It is what you negotiate.

IF you are being deported, immigration will pay to get rid of you and then chase the sponsor for the cost of the ticket.

.

[ckub]

Thangs guys! I'm now fighting not to pay anything since I've completed my six months. My boss yesterday said that I had completed only 5 months and that's why they were charging me only 50%, but when I showed her the calendar to prove that I worked 6 months, she was speechless.

And it's too late to run. But I'm holding the big side of the stick here, and my boss knows this. More fighting coming up today. Gotta save my energy for my boss!

[Teelo]

Its never too late to say "actually I decided to stay ".

[ckub]

ok, situation resolved! yeah!

So in the end, I don't pay for my airfare which was paid by my school on my way here. So great news! That was 1130$, so quite nice! I've agreed to stay one more week as requested, and I will be paying the 100$ change fee. In the end, it's great! Cause on my contract, it clearly stated that I had to pay the portion of my way here, so this 100$ is absolutely nothing in comparison.

Thanks guys for your help!

[hagwonnewbie]

You can rest well when you finally recieve all the money owed to you. A verbal (or even written agreement) seems to be pretty worthless unless you're willing to stick around and take a dishonest employer to court for months on end after your contract terminates. I hope you get everything you expect, but often what is promised is never realized at the end. Most teachers get nickel and dimed at the very least when they go home.

Sorry, if I burst your bubble. I've just had to fight for my final pay everytime I left a job here, and it was a stressful pain in the butt. You should get all your documents in order before your last week. Go to the tax and pension office and get all your pay stubs. Then give your boss a paper with the amount you expect before they pay you, so they know what you expect. This seems to be the best strategy from what I've seen.