Korean Job Discussion Forums

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Well thanks all for your opinions. It's not so easy to just walk away when I know that there are lots of jobs out there, but mostly worse (far worse) than this one.

I had a hard enough time trying to get this job. I don't want another kiddie hagwan job, ever! Shocked

The adult schools in Busan wouldn't hire me.
I am 40 + years old, a bit fat around the mid section and "not what they are looking for". If I left this job, I think I would have to be heading for another country......... say............ China. Confused

Cheers

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Hey, I'm 42 and a bit fat around the middle. I almost 'went' to China a year ago, but a friend 'talked me out of it'. I'm glad he did. A haggie in Korea is better than teaching in China. Though I did think about beginning/getting some college teaching experience there. Then coming back to Korea with that experience.
I know a guy who's 56 and teaching in a haggie. He thinks young, is a musician. On the side he's working on songs for a CD. Songs for the hogwon industry to use. Coming up with jazzy beats for them. He even teaches kindergarten in the morning. He's very smooth and realizes it's his world, doesn't fret or get involved in cruddy thinking. Reads in coffee shops and when he's out walking, concentrates on the music, being a musician. Like Mr. Magoo Smile

Us in DC · Joined: 22 Jul 2004

So did you ever get your money for September? Just curious.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

In all four years I've been here, I fortunately have only received my pay late 30-40 times. Laughing

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I'm still waiting for September's pay. The boss promised to pay me by next week, so I'll have to wait until then. At least I have enough cash to leave now, if it comes to that.

Cheers

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

So where is the labor board office in Busan? I've never had to go there before, but it looks like I may have to this time round. Confused

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Ask here, you will find the answer very quickly

http://www.pusanweb.com/forums/index.htm

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

I got paid recently from a school that closed when the notice I'd given them ran out.

To cut the story short a bit, the pays I did get before the closure were often in parts- 1/2 here and the rest there and most months late. My student's cash was supporting the other classes with dire attendances.

I went to his local labor office, what you have to do when the school closes, and went through the procedure. He actually begged me not to proceed and told me he'd be ruined and could never find a job. I ignored him and instructed the labor office to can the guy and they did.

Literally on the steps of the debtors court he phoned my wife to tell her the money had been deposited to my account. The process took 5 weeks. *beep* him and anyone else tries to shaft me and my family.

Have a nice day Smile

yangban · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 4:12 am Post subject:

Start looking for another job and get some muscle in there. When my husband threatened to put my boss in the hospital, they paid right up! There is no room for civility here. What they are doing is very uncivil.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I hate when people don't follow up on their posts! What happened? Did you get the jack?

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

He promised to pay me for September by the end of this week, so I am still waiting for that.

As for being civil, I still want to work here, despite the slowness of pay it's a far better job than having a bunch of kindies jab their fingers up my butt 8 hours a day, and then having disgruntled parents complaining about how I can't "control "
the class. Confused

If he doesn't pay by the end of this week, then it's time to head to the labour board.

Cheers

manlyboy · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:33 pm Post subject:

The first hagwon I worked at in Korea contacted me a few months ago saying that they had a tax return of some sort to give me. I hadn't seen or spoken to anyone from that place in about 18 months. I thought our business was done, and I had no idea I was entitled to any kind of tax refund. I went into the school; everyone greeted me warmly, and the boss handed me an envelope with 300 000 won in it! I was between jobs at the time, and I really needed the dough, too.
There are some schools out there that will actually go out of their way to track you down and give you what's yours!
It's not a myth! I've seen it!

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

This is such a typical practise at struggling hagwons. In korean working tradition, the workers are supposed to work unpaid through bad times to show their loyalty to the firm. But what if you're not sure the hagwon will make it, and you'll never recieve your cash?
Working here is a financial contract, not an act of generosity.
Its happened to me once, I gave it 2 weeks, then set a deadline for a week later, by which time I threatened to quit...and walked when it was up. The money appeared as I was walking down the steps to the bus stop.
you could try casually mentioning the labor board at first though, it often puts the fear of God into them.

I wish you all success and happiness in the choices and decisions you make. Don't have nightmares, please, do sleep well. From all of us here in Incheon, a very good night to you all.

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

I'm having a similar problem. I was going to start a thread but I think I will bury it here instead.

I am working at a hagwon that just opened in September. The owner and the head teacher are both Koreans educated in Britain (Oxford I think) They are not the typical hagwon owners in that they are both educators and have a pretty good grasp on what Koreans need to better understand english.

My pay schedule was supposed to be 1.9, 2.0, 2.1 and 2.1 after the third month.

I got the first month 12 days early because he wanted to pay us before Chusok. Now this month he came to me a couple of days ago and asked me if for the next 2 months he can pay me 1.5 and a credit for the future.

I know for certain he isn't trying to scam me just trying to make a go of it in the early times. The problem is if he doesn't make it I lose my money, but if he does make it I will be well looked after. Also I love the job and I am only working 78 hours a month (they are 40 min hours) so even at 1.5 it isn't a horrible salary.

Of course I have to make the final decision but I thought I would see what you (all) think.

I figure I will see if I actually get the 1.5 on pay day. If I do then I will evaluate it on a month by month basis.

If he was an ass I would just walk but I love working there and he is pretty honest with me about the state of affairs. (They seem more like academics that businessmen which is why I like working there, but also why I am concerned about them making a go of it. Smile

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Sounds like you have a much better situation than I do. If I were you, I would take it, not that it's such a good idea, but because most of what else is out there is going to be a lot worse.

If you like your job and are enjoying it, you are way ahead of the game already.

I wish I had the luxury of that option.

For the hours you described, 1.5 is not bad at all. Try it for a couple of months and see how it goes. If the situation is still shakey then, you can decide at that time what to do.

Good Luck