Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sadmax]

My fiance and I share housing through her hagwon. However, she was recently fired, and she plans to leave the country soon (she was fired after 6-months). I had planned to rent an apartment from a friend to save money, but her hagwon is saying that we had a housing "contract" (although there is no paperwork between the hagwon and me), and that I have to stay in the apartment for several more months or risk losing the security deposit of 600,000 won (the school wants to keep an additional 300,000 won to recover "recruiter fees" since my fiance was fired).

Is the hagwon obligated to return the apartment deposit to her, or will they keep the money due to her being fired?

We are afraid that if we stand up to the hagwon director and demand the deposit that we will be kicked out.

Her contract mentions two things relevant:
"Employee agrees to a deduction of 200,000 Won per month from the first three months of employment totaling 600,000 Won as housing management deposit. This deposit is to cover any unpaid monthly service, utility, and telephone charges at the completion of this contract and/or resignation or dismissal of the employee before the termination of this contract. Employer agrees that payment of remaining amounts of the deposit will be made to employee within ten days after all outstanding monthly service, utility, and telephone charges have been paid."

and

"In the event that the employee is dismissed, or in the event that the employee voluntarily resigns prior to the termination of the term of this agreement, employer will pay salary due to date of termination. Employer will not pay the cost of return transportation to point of departure for employee. Further, employer will be entitled to withhold an amount less than or equivalent to, but not exceeding, the cost of airfare provided for travel to Korea and other benefits provided to employee.

Thank you for any help.

[PRagic]

Do YOU work for the same crapwon? If not, YOU have no contract with them. Period. And after your fiance moves out, they'll owe her the balance of that 600 bucks after they deduct utilities. Just read the bloody contract! They just want someone in the apartment until it rents out or they might lose THEIR downpayment if the landlord decides to screw them over. Happens.

Move out with your fiance. And if she feels that there are grounds for wrongful termination (e.g. the crapwon just doesn't want to pay severance or the return airfair), take it up with the labour board.

Perfect example of why the longtimers on the board, myself included, suggest that people think long and hard about crashing at the same place, or even working for the same place, on an E2.