Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lindihop]

My years contract in a public school ends tomorrow (2nd December) and I've worked here exactly 12 months, from 3rd December 2007 to 2nd December 2008. Straight forward....No?

My last paycheck was November 25th, (I've been payed the 25th of every month since I got here) making 12 paychecks in all. Straight forward...No?

All I'm waiting on now is my one months severance pay (bonus) that is given at the end of the standard EPIK contract (less the usual deductions of pension, tax and medical insurance.) Straight forward...No?

I'm now told that as my finishing date (2nd December 2008) is two days into a new month, that I am actually being payed an extra two days...and because of this, these "extra" two days pay will be minus a full months pension and medical insurance contributions...meaning in effect that I will actually owe money to the school as two days pay is actually less than the deductions for the month.

I've tried (God! Have I tried!) explaining that I'm not actually working an extra two days, simply that the end of having worked EXACTLY one year happens to fall two days into the new month and that I've already been payed for these two days (and payed the necessary dues) in my last pay on November 25th.

Well the school, and education authority will have none of it and insist that I am going to be payed an extra two days pay for the 1st and 2nd of December....and that because of this I'll be liable to a full months deductions and consequently will actually owe them money (as two days pay is less than a months deductions of pension and medical insurance.)
This shortfall, they kindly inform me, will be taken from my bonus/severance payment before I get it.

Maybe I have been in Korea too long (or maybe not long enough) and have, as a consequence...including my ability to do math, gone mental.

So;

Please! Could someone help me out here and expalin what I'm missing?
Because to me none of this makes any sense..and the best I get when I point out that I'm not working two extra days, but have worked exactly 12 months and already paid deductions accordingly is, "This is how we do things in Korea.."

I've rang EPIK but the best you get there is a resigned, "These things happen," while agreeing it's bizzare.

Your thoughts..........

[sarbonn]

Can you ask for a leave of absence for the last two days, or take sick days without pay, or something like that?

[pkang0202]

I'd say just count your losses and go.

2 days of work should come to ~100,000w. How much are they going to deduct? After the deductions you end up owing the school less than 100,000w then I'd just do it. Maybe they'll pay a full month into your pension for December.

[sarbonn]

Having reread this, I think I finally understand where the problem is. I had the same problem with my first check because I arrived on the 11th, so I was only paid from the 11th to the 31st, and I thought it would have been a full month's salary as I got paid on the 10th.

The pay period begins on the 1st and ends on the 30-1 of the month. Those two days you are working are actually two new days for the next month, and unless you can convince them to not pay you for those two days, then you're going to have to deal with the bureaucracy problem that is emerging from this problem.

[valkerie]

What Sarbonn says.....is a royal pain though.

Possible solution ..... how about using all of your 'official' leave ASAP and negotiating having the last 2 days of contract as unpaid leave?

[buster brown]

WTF are they talking about??? Pension and Health Insurance are not lump-sum payments, they're based on a percentage of your pay. Just because it's nice and neat for them to take out the same amount every month doesn't mean they're required to, does it? Why don't you pick up the phone and call the pension and health offices and pose the question to them?

If they insist on this 'total amount per month, even if you only work one day' scheme, point out that they'll also have to match your contributions. Do the math for them so that they can see how much more it's going to cost the school because their accounting office refuses to budge. This is just another two-bit administrator trying to wield what little power he actually has. When the principal or VP figures out that they're costing the school money it'll probably get straightened out...but, this being Korea, all bets are off. It's going to be up to you to find out the facts from pension and health or persuade someone with logic to tax you at the appropriate rates.

[lindihop]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think Sarbonn you're right re the way the breakdown works, although Buster you've hit the nail on the head re the percentage that should be paid, as, having finally accepted that payments would be deducted I then tried taking the tac that this surely should only be to cover two days out of a whole month. Well that just blew their minds (welcome to my fooking world I thought.)

It does all come down to the nitwit jobsworh in the pay department at the school who refuses to see sense. My co teacher/ go between is also less than helpful, just repeating back the party line and laughing at my frustration/exasperation.......I swear to god if it wasn't my last day she'd be getting a smack in the chops mid grin.

I've actually been on to the tax office and there was an English speaking guy there called Joshua (should you ever need to use them) who was realy helpful and understood the situation. He simply said that if the school would tell the tax office that my termintion date was befoe the begining of December then the problem would be sorted.........however "jobsworth downstairs" refuses to do so...so in the end I guess I'll be swallowing this.

As pkang0202 says, it's maybe not actually a lot moneywise, though that was never really the point.

Still..it's my last day so I ain't wasting anymore time on it and just going to enjoy the last of this rather unique experience.............and see what I can steal to make up the difference.

[DongtanTony]

You may end up making some of the difference on your pension deduction and matching contribution.

Your pay should be around 150-200,000 for those two days depending on your salary level.

Your monthly pension contribution is probably around 100,000...which you'll get back especially since you're in a public school it sounds...along with the 100,000 they'll have to throw in.

Where you're losing money is through your income and medical contributions. Probably in the ballpark of 75,000 combined per month.

It sounds to me like you'll...."break even" for that two day period.....but in essence, you'll be collecting 200,000 and passing go on your way out because of your pension.

Just how I see things...check with the offices to make sure you're getting that cash...then plane ticket and out!!

Good luck!!

[teachergirltoo]

Even though it does not seem reasonable, the school is correct, and they are only handling matters according to set guidelines. Having worked in human resources several years ago, the situation would be handled exactly the same in Canada or the US by government or corporate institutions.

[yingwenlaoshi]

If you work one hour in a month, it's full pension contribution.