Korean Job Discussion Forums

irwinpryce · Joined: 30 Apr 2007

Hi,
My school are tight wads and my directoris a cow- example, they are making me move into another place for 9 days prior to leaving as they dont want to pay for 2 places at once, considering they have timedit that my replacement will arrive after I leave. I said I needed all money (severance and pay) a few days before I leave so I can move it out of my Korean account. My boss wants to pay meit all in cash on the day I leave and changeit in the airport- sounds fishy and suspicious.

How can I ensure I get my full money owed, what help and support is out there in order to avoid getting screwed/make sure I get it all?
Thanks

mike123_ca · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:15 am Post subject:

What does he want you to do at the airport?

I would go to immigration and pay ( I think it's 30,000 won) and get permission to stay in Korea for an extra 30 days.

A lot of hagwon owners want you out of the country esp. if you haven't been paid. Good luck with trying to collect your money from outside Korea.

If your not paid on the day agreed upon. Tell him your not leaving Korea. He'll probably tell you must leave...

Then, I would join ATEK and make use of their lawyer. (cheaper than hireing your own.)

I personaly would be sitting in front of his school and talking with the students and parents. Koreans love to hear this sort of thing. Not very good for his business.

irwinpryce · Joined: 30 Apr 2007

mike123_ca · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:29 am Post subject:

I would tell her, I want to exchange my money when I'm at my bank while I'm closing up my account. Why make you do it at the airport.

I'll take a guess and say your making 2 million plus won. I'm also guessing you worked 1 full year and entitled to your bonus. So I'm guessing you should be getting around 4 to 5 million won.

I would stay in town until I got my money and also expense money to cover my stay here in korea and also a replacement airplane ticket.

Let her know it will cost X if she pays now or Y if she pays later.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

[quote="mike123_ca"]

I would go to immigration and pay ( I think it's 30,000 won) and get permission to stay in Korea for an extra 30 days. [ quote]

You can do it online for free. The Hikorea website I think. I did it last year. Easy as pie.

Op, there's really not alot you can do. If your boss is not honourable then you aren't going to see your severance (or all of it). But if he is, then you'll get your cash. It's a game that all of us have to play. Paying on the last day is common in Korea.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

[quote="mike123_ca"]

I would go to immigration and pay ( I think it's 30,000 won) and get permission to stay in Korea for an extra 30 days. [ quote]

You can do it online for free. The Hikorea website I think. I did it last year. Easy as pie.

Op, there's really not alot you can do. If your boss is not honourable then you aren't going to see your severance (or all of it). But if he is, then you'll get your cash. It's a game that all of us have to play. Paying on the last day is common in Korea.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

[quote="mike123_ca"]

I would go to immigration and pay ( I think it's 30,000 won) and get permission to stay in Korea for an extra 30 days. [ quote]

You can do it online for free. The Hikorea website I think. I did it last year. Easy as pie.

Op, there's really not alot you can do. If your boss is not honourable then you aren't going to see your severance (or all of it). But if he is, then you'll get your cash. It's a game that all of us have to play. Paying on the last day is common in Korea.

ontheway · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:20 am Post subject:

1) You can get a free visa extension for up to 30 days at Immigration. You may have to show them a departure ticket for this, but I'm not sure. You cannot teach on this free extension.

2) You can change the departure dates on most airline tickets for a modest fee. Might be a good investment.

3) Your school should move you out of your housing and move the new teacher in. It is unrealistic to expect a school two rent two condos for one teaching position.

If there is an overlap period when both teachers, the departing teacher and the replacement, are under contract and working, then the school should pay for one of them to live in a decent hotel during that time.

Once your contract is finished, you should expect your free housing to end.

4) It is reasonable for your school to pay your final pay and severence on your last day. Many schools, including public schools pay weeks or months later.

But, since your school seems to be insisting that you leave and change money at the airport, you may be right that they're planning to cheat you.

So, I'd plan to stay at least a week after the last day, if I were in your shoes.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

mike123_ca · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject:

Sorry for taking so long to reply. It took me a while to find the source of my infomation.

irwinpryce · Joined: 30 Apr 2007

my 11th month LATE pay was short. There is no excuse for this and I wouldn't buy any of this crap about how she made a mistake etc.

Can anyone give me the contact number for the labor board and the number for taxes- bare in mind im paying 4percent each month.

Would giving them a kick up the ass from the labor board and tax office let them know I mean business and help me in getting my severance?????????

Corky · Joined: 06 Jan 2004

You could get her to tell you the exact figure beforehand, and then there won't be any "deductions" that you don't know about

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

I give gifts to the staff in the office to stay on their better side - they are the ones who deal with immi, office supplies, reimbursements, and yes, severance payouts

today I brought them all krispy kreme donuts - a dozen assorted.

my last day is monday. my flight tkt reimbursement is due on tuesday.

I'm not worried at all - it will be there.

stay on the good side of the staff, no matter who else you have issues with. remember, they just work there and have to do what the boss says but all the same, they'll also do a better job for you.

good luck op. and hey - so what if you have to take it with you to the airport - I once had to carry my last paycheck and severance to Japan w/me and back again because of a jerk boss that did something similar to yours - but so f*cking what - I got my money and I was home free - you will be too - just chill ok?

never let them see you sweat. never.

Cool

ontheway · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:57 am Post subject:

OP: Have you applied for your pension refund? If so, was all the money there?

Since you were way overcharged for taxes, I'm guessing that you didn't have any pension deducted from your pay, and didn't apply for a refund.

mike123_ca · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:16 am Post subject:

The labour board will only get involve when he is not paid. I hope I'm wrong, but they also give the business owner an extra 2 weeks to come up with the money.

It's not the end of the world if your Korean because most likely you will still be hanging around. Since you are a foreigner, hagwon owner knows Immigration is going to push you out the door and if you stay you might be arrested and you will face deportation and fines. Very temping for hagwon owners save last month's pay and serverance bonus.

The only way to pressure your boss is to have them think you will be staying in Korea.

We foreign English teachers do need an association because the playing field here is way too one-sided.