Korean Job Discussion Forums

JeJuJitsu · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's

Hola amigos and amigettes,

First post, but have been reading this board for months, and am now in Korea. I've been here two weeks, most all is well, BUT, over BBQ and Soju, my boss told me the following:

"I must talk to you about your pay in the next several days...Here, have more Soju! Use both hands to hold cup. Now, we have economic depression here in Korea now, and many students cannot pay all of their fees. (Incidentally, from a fellow teacher (Korean) who has been showing me around town I found out that only 2 or 3 of our students are NOT current with their tuition payments.) Drink your Soju! It is good! Relaxes you!"

End coversation about "pay." So I have a contract signed at 2.0 million, and was wondering if any of you have had this similar conversation. Now, perhaps I am jumping to conclusions, as Director takes me out to eat 3-4 times a week, gave me a 100,000 Chuseok bonus yesterday. I could just be paranoid, but I also feel that he might be trying to "soften me up" to tell me something bad about my "pay."

What I was wondering was, common is it for Directors/owners to try to renegotiate your rate of pay? Is there a depression here in Korea?

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Hmm. What is uncommon is that he has the courtesy to hint at what's coming beforehand. Usually they just wait for a "screaming waygukin" to come running, asking "Where's my money?" Confused

But is it uncommon for bosses to try and stiff foreigners on pay?

Just check the Job Info Journal and the English school Watch site for answers to these and many other questions.

guangho · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:30 am Post subject:

Let's turn this question around: Anyone here who has NOT been approached by a hakwon about having their pay cut in one way or another?

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

They will cut your pay if you let them. My school backed down pretty quick when I made it clear that I wouldn't let them. Just remember you're in a negotiation, it's business, not personal, and you'll be fine. My relationship with my employers is great and I'm making more than when I started, because I didn't act like a jerk. Acting like a jerk would be saying "OK" to the pay cut and then whining about it or faking sickness or striking. If they ask you to accept lower pay, just tell them you won't work if they try that. Be honest, and don't get upset.

JeJuJitsu · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's

Thanks for the replies. It just seems surreal that after flying someone over from another continent, THEY would risk creating a disgruntled employee by giving a sob story. Penny wise and pound foolish. Anyway, thanks again for the responses, and I will hold my line on pay.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

You don't need to be confrontational. If the conversation involving a pay cut does come up, just express great and sincere regrets but clearly state that you were hoping to get W2.2 million and came down to W2 million because the boss sounded nice and the school seemed good. Unfortunately, you have financial obligations (school loans and sick parents or whatnot) and as much as you have enjoyed working for the guy so far you will have to start looking around for a job that will provide you with the income that you need to meet your responsibilities.

By depression the guy means Korea has not returned to the 9% growth rate it had back in the 70's. And it never will. And even if it were real, the guy knew it when he signed you for W2 million.

JeJuJitsu · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

This could be another way of him saying that he can't afford you by himself and wants to farm you out to another academy. If he suggests this I would ... but make sure you get a pay increase and everything is done through immigration legally.

The same question was asked to me three times and everytime it was about farming me out... not about cutting my pay.

southboca · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Florida

It could also mean that he is afraid that he won't be able to pay on time. This happened at one of my schools. The director wanted to pay 60% now, and 40% a couple of weeks later. I told her that keeping track of the payments would be a real headache for both of us. We settled for moving payday from the 25th of the month to the 1st.

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

mattferrara · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Location: �ҳ�, �д�

Barefootbelle · Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Location: Ohio

I was just wondering, if the owner did say that he "needed" to cut your pay would it be awful to agree as long as he cut your hours at the same time? Or is this opening a can of worms I don't want to get into?

JeJuJitsu · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's

Update:

Well, talked with my owner/director, and the "about your pay" turned out to be not about my wage, but benefits. He gave me 2 options:

A) Take out approx. 150,000/month for taxes & insurance

B) Keep my whole two million salary intact, but no insurance and no taxes taken out

I opted for option B. I'll gamble on not getting sick or getting run over by an insane driver...