Korean Job Discussion Forums

SinaloaPaisa · Joined: 30 Sep 2015

So I am at this school who supposedly calculates your pay by the about of classes you teach a month. In other words you are suppose to teach 150 classes a month at a rate of 15k won a class. This makes no sense as we are hired on a salary. Amount of classes taught should only come into play for overtime. I am only scheduled for like 112 classes this month. So if my math is correct, my paycheck would be 570,000 less than I agreed on. Actually alittle bid more as I was hired on 2.3 million won salary and the 150x15k is like 2.2 million. It's not my problem they are not scheduling me for the 150.

I brought this up to the director today and he said talk to the manager. Also, said that the manager would ive me extra work to do to reach the 150. However, the manager didnt do that with this past month. Even if she did, she would have to give me 8.5 classes worth of extra work to do a week to reach the 150 mark. Not happening. The director said that my pay will be what it is suppose to be. I dont believe him because they are clearly paying us by classes taught times 15,000. I taught like 80 something classes this past month and received 1.2 million won as the base pay before tax and utility deductions.

I just finished my first month so my pay check was small due to apartment deductions and only working half the month. Will need to wait till next month just to clarify and see if I am getting my correct total amount.

Anyone else experience something like this?

If my school doesn't give me enough classes to make my agreed upon salary I am gonna have to quit and get a D10 visa.

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

One large hakwon chain is famous for that tactic and have been sued multiple times over it (as well as unpaid medical+pension).

The long and the short of it boils down to one thing: how the contract is worded. If you are hired as an employee, they pay salary regardless of how many classes you teach (however, they can add extra classes during your regular working hours to 'catch you up' on hours if your regular classes do not meet the requirement). If you got hired as an independent contractor, which isn't supposed to happen, but is a grey area in labor vs e visa issue, then you are SOL.

edit- should have added this the first time, 150 CLASSES is a metric *beep* ton of classes. most people on hakwon contracts are on 120-130 class hours where class hour = 50 minutes.

SinaloaPaisa · Joined: 30 Sep 2015

My contract is worded with "employee".

Here are some screen shots of the hours and pay in the contract.

http://imgur.com/J3zeDbf

http://imgur.com/OEwnovb

I am only scheduled for 108 guaranteed classes a month (more than half being 40 minutes). We have a makeup black of two 40 minute sessions on Friday but that is not guaranteed. Been here over a month and have yet to get any makeups. Left every Friday at 6pm after coming in at 2pm.

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

Well, 4.3 is an illegal clause according to Korean labor law, that right there would have draw red flags from me before I signed it.

However, you are correct in your initial assumption that they must pat you 2.3 regardless of if they fill your classes or not.

SinaloaPaisa · Joined: 30 Sep 2015

Stain · Joined: 08 Jan 2014

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

I assume you are an independent contractor in this case.

Call national pension office and ask if they are paying in. Did they sign you up for national insurance, etc.

If not, then you are a contractor.

Did they at least have an apartment and give you an E-2?

Do you need to stay at the center the whole time?

If no, what would stop you from teaching extra classes elsewhere.