Korean Job Discussion Forums

Shadow · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Pusan, South Korea

To whom it may concern,

Presently, my brother is working at a Hakwan in which a Canadian lady teacher accepted half of her salary for one month. The Director's excuse was once again the much vaunted "I forgot my wallet." I have instructed my brother to say "No pay, no work" if the same thing should happen to him. Is there anybody out there who can enlighten me on the finer points of this scenario when and if it happens? Thank you.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Hasn't happened to me, but I'd say if she doesn't pay up right quick show up for work as usual, but end each and every single class abruptly in the middle.

If the boss complains, just tell her, "You get what you pay for."

Kristsoy · Joined: 23 Mar 2004

actaully that's a great idea, and funny. It's happend to me and i got in the owner's face and said pay me or im leaving, i had it the next day and it was never late again

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

tricky situation..
becuase if you come off like an A-hole.. then you have to live with that for the rest of the year.. if he really did forget his wallet or is only a couple days late.. its cool.. obviously he doesnt have it!! so forcing him to get it like a bookie! isnt going to help things..
BUT!!!

if this goes on and he doesnt pay you for weeks, and it happens again..
then bring it up.. he will know if the schools making money or not..
if its not.. then you suggest I think I should look for another job..
seems you cant afford to keep me.. etc....

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

I would bring up the topic with something like, "I have a lot of bills at home to pay and they're going to be due at the end of the month. I need to be able to pay them."

I agree with Itaewonguy....if you come off the wrong way, you look like a total jerk and it ruins the work environment. It shouldn't be that way, but hey, it's Korea.

Why do we have to do things like this to get our pay? Argh. We shouldn't have to be all nice about it, but if we aren't, we're the ones who suffer. Annoying.

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

This is a pretty clear case of a director taking advantage of his employees. He forgot his wallet so he's going to pay everyone half of their salary? Total BS. What kind of a wallet does the guy carry around? Is it stuffed with millions of won?? Not likely.

Not paying in full and on time is a breach of contract, a breach of trust, unfair and simply a disrespectful thing to do. I would tell him that I expect payment in full by the start of classes the next day or you'll leave half way through, or not show up at all.

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

This had happened to me last month. I got in my director's face. I told him he lied to me and broke his promise to me. And before he could pull out the Korean Pride card I played it. I told him he has damaged my pride my putting me into a position that I had to confront him for my pay.

It worked like a charm, I had my money within the hour and he wasn't late this past pay day. I told him I wouldn't give him an inch of breathing room on this.

For those who say it will ruin the relationship, that's bull. Only in the hagwon industry does this seem to happen. I have many korean friends who say they would never stand for late pay and would be in the face of their boss if it ever happened, demanding their money.

Stand up for yourself because you are in the right. They have a whole month to plan for payroll. They expect you to pay all of the bills on time so they can pay salary on time too.

Cheers

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

In the 21st century, I'd be wary of any situation in which the director pays the employee in cash. If everything is legal, a simple money transfer is much safer and takes less than one minute.

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

Relationship? What relationship? That is so Dr. Phil/Oprah.

I gather most stiffings happen within the first three months of employment. Though it may be enough time to form some kind of working relationship (Such as we know back home) I doubt it is enough time for a relationship (the kind "we Koreans" are always jabbering about) to form deep roots. ie: you didn't go to high school with him.

Just focus on your relationship with your boss and make it the kind that sees you getting paid in full and on time.

Juggertha · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Anyang, Korea

depends on my relationship with the director. if i've been there quite some time and truely beleive it to be an honest mistake.. i'd let it slide for a few days.

If for any reason I felt it shady.. it'd be the end of a contract.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

I was at lunch one day with a Korean coworker and she nearly had a fit. A director from an old school was eating at the restaurant. She was praying he didn't see her for she feared she wouldn't be able to contain her look of disgust. Apparently one month the director paid everyone only half their monthly salary and then went on a fancy vacation.

When the employees found out why there were cut to half wages for the month, they quit en masse.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

late pay?
well if I got the rest in full within a couple of days i would give the benifit of a doubt. If it was habitual I would be pissed.

I would tell the director or owner that if my pay is late then I have no obligation to show up on time, teach full classes or do my job.

they I would gut them like a fish dance about gleefully while singing the 'me like hockey' song

ahhh wishful thinking

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

If his excuse is that he forgot his wallet, and only had half of my salary, then there's no reason not to receive my pay the next day or something.

I'd work, and if I didn't get the rest the next day, I'd start looking for a new job, on company time.

Also, from then on, I would ask to be paid every 2 weeks, not monthly.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Forget the slogan "The Hub of Asia"
A New Slogan for Korea
Come work in Korea to experience late pay culture
Experience the feelings of authentic culture
Feel it; hear it; see it.

See:
(Poll) Have you ever been paid late in Korea?
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=18732

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Why be tactful anyway.... if the owner was tactless to forget to pay you...
no excuse! If the show was on the other foot, the owner would be screaming!
"What, I have bills to pay back home and need the money!?!?!"
How quaint!
Hell no, I have no bills back home to pay I'd say! I am working for a reason, MONEY! Just like you have a business, for money! Now, break out the pay!
No pay...no work. It's that simple. I am not in it for charity.
Oh, just one more thing...
It's time to change jobs.
If the owner now has problems in paying you now, down the line, more problems. So cut your loses and bail for another school.