Korean Job Discussion Forums

delirium · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA

I have been trying to figure out when you receive your year-end contract bonus. My original contract ended in May. I extended part time through the summer, and have still not received it. Other teachers at my school always got it when they renewed, but for the last several months anyone that extended had to beg and plead to get theirs. I recently read that the law had changed, but that seemed to be for public schools and no one was sure if that included hagwons. I read through the Labor Standards Act above, but wasn't able to figure out what it was saying. (Article 45, I think)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

viciousdinosaur · Joined: 30 Apr 2012

Maybe this really is a thing.

You'll get it when you cease working at your present location. Have you heard of severance before? That's what it is.

delirium · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA

Actually, my coworkers received it at the completion of every year. Which also makes sense in case a hagwon goes under. It has only been lately that teachers have had to struggle to get it.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

New law.

Exceptions can be made but only in rare circumstances that few of us are likely to qualify for.

Basically, if you renew, you gotta wait now until you finish with your employer for good to claim the money.

delirium · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA

Thanks schwa! That's what I needed to know. One of my coworkers was having to go and ask for it two weeks AFTER his final day on his extended contract.

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

Then I wouldn't continue. I would collect the severance, and then offer to continue working after. If they said no, then they would have to find another teacher and possibly fly them in. It would be better to rehire a teacher you know.

Why they are making this a new law is ridiculous. There is no way I would continue waiting for the money.

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

The idea in the law has always been that a person would recieve it after they finish working at a place. Severance...

But the ESL industry usually doesn't see people stay at the same place year after year.

I don't remember, but I'm not sure the option of taking severance each year was written in the law the first time around for me in Korea (1996). I was surprised when I came back and heard that public school teachers in some provinces could get it each year even if staying on at the school.

luckylady · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: u.s. of occupied territories

delirium · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA

luckylady · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: u.s. of occupied territories

well then, it's good you are being proactive

be firm but polite, fearless but diplomatic.

try (gently) to pin down the director as to how and when your severance is to be paid. I've suggested it before - let him know you plan to transfer to your home country bank and want to know what's easier for him - to deposit into your acc or pay in cash. just be very professional and state you want to make it as easy on him as possible and facilitate the financial transactions.

make eye contact, don't snivel and make certain both sides understand one another clearly. if you aren't sure, repeat and ask.

make sure you have a Korean friend to help in case of the worst. a student's mother is always the best friend you can have as well; they know the situations with hakwons and foreign teachers and usually support us wholeheartedly.

as for renewing, I wouldn't press my luck on getting 2 yr's severance if it's been that hard in the past for him to pay 1 yr.

just sayin'

good luck.