Korean Job Discussion Forums

rob86 · Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Location: South Korea

I am working for a small hagwon that constantly pays me late. I have always gotten my money but it is usually a few days to a week late.

I'm pretty laid back and don't care if my pay is a little late as long as i get it eventually.

Well one of out teachers has ended her contract but is staying until the end of July before leaving. However the directer has not payed the bonus owed to her. She has also not payed a full salary to the Korean teachers in at least a month. Nor has she paid the school bus drivers in a while either.

The directer owns another school that we have been in contact with, their English teachers have not been paid in two months.

The three of us at this school cornered her and asked flatly what was going on and were informed that the directer financial partner at the other school broke contract with her and owes her a lot of money. She is currently taking him to court over this. She told us that she wants to pay us but does not have the money yet.

I have received this months salary in full but will probably not get next months on time.

Should I start looking into finding another job and breaking contract here. I have worked for this school for almost seven months and love my kids. I don't want to have to find a new job again but if I am not going to get paid what else can I do.

Suggestions?

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

There's no smoke without fire. Start looking for a new job asap. Your hagwon will be closing down soon. When an organisation can't pay salary, etc then there is a major problem. Get all the staff together and approach the Labor Board and put in a claim for lack of salary. Double check that your pension, health insurance and tax are being appropriately paid.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

Likely you're going to get fired. If the school is going out of business or is bankrupt, then labor considers it a legitimate reason for firing staff. Still labor will affirm that they are obligated to pay you for time worked. The problem is that if the school has no money, it's hard to force them to pay you - in part or in full.

I'd politely tell the director that you totally understand her situation and that you'd like to help. Tell her that if she'll give you a LOR, then you don't mind leaving. That way they have salaries to pay. If she gives you the LOR, then find a new job ASAP. If you don't get paid in full within 2 weeks, then go to the labor board. Also make sure that the school paid your taxes and pension. If not then report them. If you're leaving then report them AFTERWARDS or else you're not likely to get the LOR.

Good luck.

rob86 · Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Location: South Korea

The big issue is that she is not telling us anything and is keeping all of her financial woes very close to the chest. When the three foreign teachers cornered her to discusses this she said that she would have everyone's money soon.

I don't think she would give me a letter of release even if I asked for it.

She is losing one foreign teacher already, that she is not planning on replacing, another may force her to close the school.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

She's probably closing the school anyway. If so, it's to her advantage to get rid of you now so that she doesn't go further in debt.