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devanna
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
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 Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:37 pm Post subject: My boss won't pay me |
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I'm in a GEPIK run school and have yet to receive ANY sort of payment, not even my airplane ticket and I've been working since March 1st. They want me to wait until the 30th to get paid and I'm sorry, but that's just WRONG. I've waited till the next payday and even after and their excuse is that I haven't gotten my ARC. Now I have my ARC and they STILL aren't paying me.
This has gone far enough. What if the 30th comes and they don't pay me? I NEED to be paid by the end of this week to pay for all my bills that have already elapsed into it's second month. Is there any way to get them to pay me now instead of later? This is ridiculous. My contract states that I'm supposed to have been paid AT LEAST my settlement allowance and airplane ticket within 30 days of me starting my contract. I haven't gotten either.
I think I have all the right to quit this day. Is there any way I can get them to pay me now instead of later? I'm calling the labor board today as well and hope I can get them to call my administration to get them to pay me. |
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plchron
Joined: 26 Feb 2011
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Usually they need a bank account to put the money into. You only need a passport set up a bank account. Your ARC has nothing to do with it.
I suggest calling your GEPIK coordinator and telling him you haven't been paid. He should be able to sort it out with the school. Also, in your contract, It should say when you are supposed to be paid (like the exact date; 15th of every month or something.).
I do like how you are willing to go to the labor board, but they might not be needed yet. Your CT should be the one telling the pay people to give you money. It shouldn't have anything to do with ARC or the principal. |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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Public schools pay on a regular schedule. Considering it's almost the 30th, they aren't going to make 2 adjustments in pay. It is better to wait, remind, and remind to confirm on the day before the day they promise to pay you. After that, on May 2nd or 3rd politely ask the head English teacher, not your co-teacher (they can help to translate to Korean), "What is the number for labor board?"
It's 1345 if I remember correctly. Let them know you will contact labor board. You could even call them while the head English teacher is there and talk to them and hand your phone to the head English teacher to get the ball rolling.
However, right now, play the waiting game. If they do pay you two months, then you will have avoided looking like a bad teacher to them. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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The 30th? That sounds like B.S to me. If you are in GEPIK proper (as opposed to being hired directly by the school) you should be paid on the 25th of each month. This is what you should do.
1. Tomorrow go to the staff room and tell your co-teacher that you want to speak to either the VP or the Principal ASAP ( like right now).
2. When the meeting occurs lay it on the line. Be polite and non-threatening...but be firm. You need the money, you have no money, you have bills to pay, you need to eat...and so on.
3. Establish a firm date (your contract should say 25th) and insist politely on being paid on the date.
My guess is that there is some kind of bureaucratic messup or snafu regarding the funding...and they are trying to sort it out. However that's not your problem...you have living expenses to take care of.
Calling the labor board before talking to the VP or principal...bad bad idea.
Not only are you circumventing the chain of command you are causing them to lose face. I wouldn't be surprised if they find some excuse to get rid of you sooner or later.
1. Co-teacher. 2. VP or Principal. 3. Gepik Co-coordinator 4. Regional supervisor....then the labor board.
That is the chain of command you should follow...usually it gets fixed by step 2. |
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devanna
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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@plchron - I've been working in Korea for about a year and a half so I already have a bank account and have repeatedly told them that I have never needed my ARC to be paid. I got this job through a recruiter so I'm not quite sure who my GEPIK coordinator would be?
My exact date to be paid is the 17th of every month. I was told I was going to get paid on the 17th whether or not I had my ARC and the 17th came and went without them giving me a cent. I got my ARC on the 20th and was told I was going to get paid that following Monday and STILL didn't get anything. It's really frustrating when I don't have any money to eat and no one left to borrow money from.
@YTMND - I've explained my situation and the head teacher is also very frustrated with the administration on this. She also seems to think I should be paid this week and has encouraged me to call them on the 30th if the administration doesn't transfer the money by that day. I'm hoping with her on my side that I can get this resolved in a timely manner and before I starve to death D: |
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devanna
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
The 30th? That sounds like B.S to me. If you are in GEPIK proper (as opposed to being hired directly by the school) you should be paid on the 25th of each month. This is what you should do.
1. Tomorrow go to the staff room and tell your co-teacher that you want to speak to either the VP or the Principal ASAP ( like right now).
2. When the meeting occurs lay it on the line. Be polite and non-threatening...but be firm. You need the money, you have no money, you have bills to pay, you need to eat...and so on.
3. Establish a firm date (your contract should say 25th) and insist politely on being paid on the date.
My guess is that there is some kind of bureaucratic messup or snafu regarding the funding...and they are trying to sort it out. However that's not your problem...you have living expenses to take care of.
Calling the labor board before talking to the VP or principal...bad bad idea.
Not only are you circumventing the chain of command you are causing them to lose face. I wouldn't be surprised if they find some excuse to get rid of you sooner or later.
1. Co-teacher. 2. VP or Principal. 3. Gepik Co-coordinator 4. Regional supervisor....then the labor board.
That is the chain of command you should follow...usually it gets fixed by step 2. |
I've already talked to the VP and the Principal about this and they were the ones who gave me the date. As I was hired by the school, I'm not quite sure what a GEPIK coordinator is or even this regional supervisor or anything. If I did I would have definitely called them way before this because I think it's ridiculous that I should be withheld pay in any circumstance, especially when two paydays have already passed since I've started and I haven't seen even a coin of my hard work. |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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| If you are in GEPIK proper (as opposed to being hired directly by the school) you should be paid on the 25th of each month. |
My contract was like that and the school asked me to move it to the 30th as well. I was paid in full at the end of the month.
I never suggested calling labor board in the "face" of the vice principal or principal. In my experience, public schools have co-teachers and head teachers. These teachers don't hold much authority and therefore are less motivated to do something.
If you communicate legal action, then they listen to that and try to get the problem resolved. When I called 1345 and discussed my situation, they quite willing to explain what the procedure was to my school. They were not going to take any serious action. The point would be to inform them of the necessity to pay up, not that collection actions were being made.
1345 is not a red self destruct button. It is an informative line between you and your employer.
I prefer to cast my net smaller and not involve the vice principal or principal. This saving face garbage might exist, but it is sure a lot easier to save face when a head English teacher gets the problem resolved than nagging the vice principal.
If you demand to talk to the vice principal instead of keeping it hush hush from them, then they will think there is a problem with the head English teacher.
I found it always better to go to the head English teacher with all I got, so they can see what I can give the vice principal if they don't address my concerns. So far, in 3 different countries, this method has worked. I haven't had to sit down with any of the principals or vice-principals outside of them signing release letters. |
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devanna
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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| YTMND wrote: |
| Quote: |
| If you are in GEPIK proper (as opposed to being hired directly by the school) you should be paid on the 25th of each month. |
My contract was like that and the school asked me to move it to the 30th as well. I was paid in full at the end of the month.
I never suggested calling labor board in the "face" of the vice principal or principal. In my experience, public schools have co-teachers and head teachers. These teachers don't hold much authority and therefore are less motivated to do something.
If you communicate legal action, then they listen to that and try to get the problem resolved. When I called 1345 and discussed my situation, they quite willing to explain what the procedure was to my school. They were not going to take any serious action. The point would be to inform them of the necessity to pay up, not that collection actions were being made.
1345 is not a red self destruct button. It is an informative line between you and your employer.
I prefer to cast my net smaller and not involve the vice principal or principal. This saving face garbage might exist, but it is sure a lot easier to save face when a head English teacher gets the problem resolved than nagging the vice principal.
If you demand to talk to the vice principal instead of keeping it hush hush from them, then they will think there is a problem with the head English teacher.
I found it always better to go to the head English teacher with all I got, so they can see what I can give the vice principal if they don't address my concerns. So far, in 3 different countries, this method has worked. I haven't had to sit down with any of the principals or vice-principals outside of them signing release letters. |
That's all I really want from the labor board. According to the VP and my head teacher, the problem is red tape. The administration seemed to think they can't pay me without an ARC. And then after I got my ARC they said I can't be paid unless it's a pay day. Which is just a little over a month away. And I really don't think I could make it until then. Hell, I don't think I can make it till the 30th. I only have like, a can of spam in my cupboard and that's about it.
I was hoping if I called someone from the labor board they would be able to call my school and tell them what procedures or red tape they had to fill out in order to pay me. That's really all I want. It's really difficult to convey what I know to them without sounding like I'm complaining. Because I'm trying not to, I'm just trying not to die. |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| @YTMND - I've explained my situation and the head teacher is also very frustrated with the administration on this. She also seems to think I should be paid this week and has encouraged me to call them on the 30th if the administration doesn't transfer the money by that day. I'm hoping with her on my side that I can get this resolved in a timely manner and before I starve to death D: |
That's good, if your head English teacher is on your side, then that is more reason to share 1345 with them. They can tell your head English teacher in Korean exactly what will happen if the school does not pay up. Then the head English teacher can give the same information to the vice principal.
Right now, your head English teacher might not know what to say to the vice principal. The vice principal is just telling her to be quiet and stop complaining. Maybe informing the vice principal through the head English teacher will be enough to send home the message. |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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| And then after I got my ARC they said I can't be paid unless it's a pay day. |
If you can find a way to borrow money until pay day, that might be the way to go. I think they will pay, and I understand your problem. Do you have a credit card? |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| plchron wrote: |
Usually they need a bank account to put the money into. You only need a passport set up a bank account. Your ARC has nothing to do with it.
I suggest calling your GEPIK coordinator and telling him you haven't been paid. He should be able to sort it out with the school. Also, in your contract, It should say when you are supposed to be paid (like the exact date; 15th of every month or something.).
I do like how you are willing to go to the labor board, but they might not be needed yet. Your CT should be the one telling the pay people to give you money. It shouldn't have anything to do with ARC or the principal. |
A GEPIK coordinator won't help and getting GEPIK involved can be a big mistake. Take it from someone who learned the hard way- GEPIK is not on your side. |
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The Sultan of Seoul
Joined: 17 Apr 2012
Location: right... behind.. YOU
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
| plchron wrote: |
Usually they need a bank account to put the money into. You only need a passport set up a bank account. Your ARC has nothing to do with it.
I suggest calling your GEPIK coordinator and telling him you haven't been paid. He should be able to sort it out with the school. Also, in your contract, It should say when you are supposed to be paid (like the exact date; 15th of every month or something.).
I do like how you are willing to go to the labor board, but they might not be needed yet. Your CT should be the one telling the pay people to give you money. It shouldn't have anything to do with ARC or the principal. |
A GEPIK coordinator won't help and getting GEPIK involved can be a big mistake. Take it from someone who learned the hard way- GEPIK is not on your side. |
I found the opposite to this. Best to go through the chain of command at school first - supervisor, VP, P. That fails - go to Gepik. Your contract is with THEM, not the SCHOOL. They helped me a lot when I needed it.
This was a few years back. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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| The Sultan of Seoul wrote: |
| wylies99 wrote: |
| plchron wrote: |
Usually they need a bank account to put the money into. You only need a passport set up a bank account. Your ARC has nothing to do with it.
I suggest calling your GEPIK coordinator and telling him you haven't been paid. He should be able to sort it out with the school. Also, in your contract, It should say when you are supposed to be paid (like the exact date; 15th of every month or something.).
I do like how you are willing to go to the labor board, but they might not be needed yet. Your CT should be the one telling the pay people to give you money. It shouldn't have anything to do with ARC or the principal. |
A GEPIK coordinator won't help and getting GEPIK involved can be a big mistake. Take it from someone who learned the hard way- GEPIK is not on your side. |
I found the opposite to this. Best to go through the chain of command at school first - supervisor, VP, P. That fails - go to Gepik. Your contract is with THEM, not the SCHOOL. They helped me a lot when I needed it.
This was a few years back. |
You have a contract with GEPIK and not the school where you teach? A GEPIK official signed your contract, not the Principal of your school? Interesting.
The rest of us have a contract with the school and GEPIK only provides funding to the school for the foreign teachers. Don't believe that? Call Immigration and/or file with Labor. You don't file against GEPIK- you file against the school. |
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matthews_world
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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There's nothing to be done for your bills except to call and tell them about your situation.
Since you do have an authorized position here in Korea, ask your local bank for a credit line or credit card to tide you over.
Or use a credit card from a bank back home.
In any event, be polite and non-overbearing as this can cause friction in the workplace.
Basically, the P can translate the contract anyway they see fit but the Labor Board can back you up as you do have certain rights but don't be tearing a new one for the gal/guy. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:35 am Post subject: |
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60 days into a contract with a public school and not paid yet?
Begs for some lazy git in the main office to get into some hot water.
BY LAW you have a valid reason to file a complaint with the labor office when they are 14 days late with your pay (a maximum of 44 days after starting your employment). http://www.moel.go.kr/
It is time to make your complaint with the labor board. I can assure you that it won't happen again after you do.
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