Korean Job Discussion Forums

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

I posted earlier on the fact that we haven't been paid in about a week now. I'm starting to see the signs that the Korean teachers here are all about to jump ship because they haven't been paid either, and one of them was just talking to me about how her credit card company is now declining her card and how she can't make rent.

The boss is a great guy, but he has these great hopes for his hagwon that I am starting to suspect aren't going to happen. Been trying to talk to him for the last few hours, but he's been talking nonstop on the phone, and it sounds like arguing with someone, most likely a creditor or something of that nature.

How does someone on a typical E2 manage to actually jump ship here? What is the process? Do you find another job first, or what is the process? Do I have to leave the country first? Go home, even though I can't afford to do so? I know people are really good at making "you should do this" kinds of statements, but now that I'm at that point where I don't think this is going to be salvagable, can someone give me advice on what to do next that's actually helpful?

asams · Joined: 17 Nov 2008

the first thing i would do is get on the phone with as many schools as you can. get some contracts sent to you and see which ones you like.

you can probably get them to pay for your visa run since it will be cheaper then them getting someone from America.

it's your call whether you want to work at another school illegally before you get a new visa, but if you're strapped for cash and a place to live you might have no other choice. just beware and make sure you save your money in case at the end of your contract you're stuck without your flight home.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Type up a letter of release and have your boss sign it. Then start shopping around for jobs. Let you boss know that as long as you get paid, you'll stay on board, but you won't keep working for free, and you'll walk immediately if you aren't paid.

Unfortunately, business plans and budgeting aren't culturally built into the model here, and employees are expected to ride the ship down with the captain in some cases. Depends on the boss, but I'd say prepare now to jump ship.

asams · Joined: 17 Nov 2008

quick question

how long have you been at the school? and how long has it been since he's payed you?

i would definitely report to the Labor Board for not getting paid. also, see bassexpander's website about a teacher who took his/her boss to court and they ended up putting the boss's possessions up for sell in order to pay the employee

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

dean_burrito · Joined: 12 Jun 2007

I got paid late by my hagwon last year. The boss always made good but it does get rather stressful trusting them. Just keep asking your boss. Some Koreans go along time without getting paid and they may not be aware how stressful things are for you.
I wish I could say don't worry. Even though I always got paid I know there are many people that didn't. If you feel that he is a good person though that is definitely in your favor. Good luck.

asams · Joined: 17 Nov 2008

i'm not telling you to screw the guy over or anything.

i'm saying that you need to look out for yourself. you've done the work, you deserve to get paid. make sure you don't mistake business with friendship or respect.

i respect my old boss but i told him i couldn't work for him. i would gladly have supper with him, but i can't work with him.

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Whatever you do, do it soon. It will only get worse if you wait.

Teelo · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Wellington, NZ

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

He could be having trouble wringing tuition $$ from students/their parents.
I'd give him some time. Meanwhile, look, look look for a new gig, just in case. I'd try to resolve it through him, but if I weren't paid by March 2, I would definitely be calling 1350, ext 7.

Scotticus · Joined: 18 Mar 2007

ontheway · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:02 am Post subject:

Keep pushing to get paid. But if your boss is bankrupt, you may never get paid. Even the Korean legal system cannot collect from someone with no money.

Start looking now.

Find a new job. Make sure it's a good one.

After you're sure about your new job, quit. Don't quit until you have somewhere to go. At least you have somewhere to stay and a visa while you look.

Hurry. Every day you wait could be just one more day you've worked for free.

asylum seeker · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Location: On your computer screen.

This should be a warning to all people looking to start work at hagwons. Be very careful of the smaller ones especially. My school had been very successful up until this financial crisis but in the last four months we've lost about 80 students and failed to sign up more than a few new ones. Luckily my boss is smart enough to cut down the number of NTs by not replacing the next foreign teacher that leaves rather than risk not being able to pay them. The people who keep posting that hagwons are 'recession-proof' are wrong.

John_ESL_White · Joined: 12 Nov 2008

I hope you've stopped "teaching" and started playing games full time and I hope to GOD that you are only in the school for the required teaching time and not 8 hours per day.

Send out the resume... in the mean time, you are "working for free" so, do not "work". Use those sick days and vacations days until you get paid.

screw the guy- good or not, you are getting screwed. Unless you like being taken advantage of.

If you really like it, let me know and I will promise you a ton of money if you will work for me for a month. After a month, I will not give you a penny. But, I'm a likeable guy. So, I will give you every sob story in the book as to why I can not pay in hopes that you will stay.

find another job; legal or not. get enough money to get yourself out of the country and into a new job