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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
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 Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:39 am Post subject: |
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You're NOT going to prevail. Koreans in general and especially hakwon owners will screw you over in a heartbeat. Yeah...for you defenders...I am using a wide paint brush.
Look around you....look at how many teachers get screwed over in korea!
It does not matter how good it was....it's the end result that matters.
The hakwon owner has a diferent version than you do....they will prevail. |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:54 am Post subject: |
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| matthews_world wrote: |
I feel no sympathy for the original poster. Basically, the hagwon has the right to take action because the OP is essentially breaking his contract.
Face it, if you were to stay in the first place, you more than likely would get paid next month. There are other costs such as airfare, etc. that are involved when breaking your contract, hence the nonpayment. By forfeiture of your contract, your severance is in jeopardy.
Any serious need to return home? You might not have a job as you will probably be replaced. |
So, because it was a verbal agreement, and not a written one, the OP should also give back the original 400,000 that the place gave him/her for half the puchase price of the ticket that s/he paid her/his own money for? Yeah, I guess life's not fair. The OP would've been much better off by doing a damned runner on the night of November 28th. I believe severance was already a non-issue. |
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plattwaz
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Location: <Write something dumb here>
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:53 am Post subject: |
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| matthews_world wrote: |
| I feel no sympathy for the original poster. Basically, the hagwon has the right to take action because the OP is essentially breaking his contract. . |
I broke the contract WITHIN THE TERMS of the contract. I gave the 60 days I was supposed to.
| matthews_world wrote: |
| Face it, if you were to stay in the first place, you more than likely would get paid next month. . |
Uhh, FACE IT - I'm not stupid, yes I would be paid next month, but I'm not concerned about next month.....what concerns me is THIS MONTH.
| matthews_world wrote: |
| There are other costs such as airfare, etc. that are involved when breaking your contract, hence the nonpayment. |
There are no airfare costs involved at this point in time for the contract - I was paid 400,000 for the first six months of work (which have been completed, hence it's mine) and upon completion of the second six months, I would be given another 400,000 won. So, I don't get that reimbursement, and I'm not asking for it. The airfare is not a factor in the salary I am discussing.
I have no housing with the school, so she is not losing out there.
| matthews_world wrote: |
| By forfeiture of your contract, your severance is in jeopardy.. |
Who on earth here is talking about severance???? I am talking about pay. Obviously, I won't be getting a severance becuse I've only completed 8 months of a contract. I'm not attempting to ask for something that I don't deserve, or something that I have not worked for.
| matthews_world wrote: |
| Any serious need to return home? You might not have a job as you will probably be replaced. |
I am a 38 year old woman. I have been living in Korea for years with my long term partner/commonlaw husband. I am not some 22 year old new graduate who is running home to mommy for no reason. I've not asked for advice on whether or not I should be returning home. I was hoping someone out there could tell me the legality of with-holding pay, and how to go about getting it. Thanks anyway....but your kind of ignorant smugness isn't helpful.
Anyway, to the others who offered advice -
I went back after lunch, ready to fight the battle for my pay. When I got there, the director was in her office waiting for me. She handed over my pay, crying her eyes out, because she had just hung up the phone with the Labour Board, where they told her that what she was doing was illegal, and that she had to pay me.
She sobbed and apologized profusely, because she feels she has damaged our relationship, and she is terrified this will make me not want to return to her in March. |
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plattwaz
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Location: <Write something dumb here>
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:01 am Post subject: |
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| denverdeath wrote: |
| The OP would've been much better off by doing a damned runner on the night of November 28th. |
Truer words have never been spoken.
I really don't advocate doing the run, although this is the first time in Korea that I have ever broken a contract (all of my others were either extended and completed as agreed, or completed at the end of one year).
However, with the stress, hassle, garbage, and general frustration that has come for both my partner and I in breaking our respective contracts to leave here HONESTLY, we have found nothing but dishonesty and hassle in return.
Yes, I signed a one year contract, but LIFE HAPPENS, things change and things go wrong. Often things are out of our own control, and we need to break a contract. Neither my partner or I asked for, nor expected ANYTHING "extra" or any favours when it came to breaking contracts early. We did expect to be treated in a reciprocally fair manner. However, neither his boss nor mine was willing to uphold their end of the bargain without hassles and threats.
Very disheartening, and it's a shame that actions like that from individuals can colour an entire country in our minds, no matter how hard we try not to let them.  |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:28 am Post subject: |
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| Congrats! I'm glad you got the cash that you worked for...too bad it had to take a call. Anyway, I wouldn't let the tears fool you. From what you have written, she probably looks at you as a trouble-maker now. Yet, I really can't pass judgement on the relationship. As others have said, she was probably just trying to safeguard her business' cash. Too bad that she couldn't keep her word though. Have a good trip. |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 5:27 am Post subject: |
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Well, there you go! They can't withhold pay for work done. The fact that she paid you and cried doesn't provide room for forgiveness. She tried to screw you over.
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| We made an agreement in mid-October that I would leave Dec 13th and return March 1st. I would essentially get 2.5 months off, and return for her next school year. This was not written, just verbal. |
A verbal agreement is a mistake in this case. Leaves too much room for a headache from point zero. You should make two written notices for her to sign: one for you and one for the boss. Could mean more money for you if the boss knows well in advance. A percentage of your severence pay. You left yourself in a position where you had to contact the labor board. Not cool.
Anyway, glad you got your pay. After all, you weren't at fault. |
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joe_doufu
Joined: 09 May 2005
Location: Elsewhere
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:00 am Post subject: |
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| thewhat wrote: |
I didnt buy the plane ticket if there is one.
Me and the owners are not talking recently because I brought up the week of vacation I did not recieve, in effort to get paid one ar two days early, and they freaked. Now I get the silent treatment, I guess I offended some Korean "culturAL difference"
I dont even know the carrier, just that I will be gone "before the contract expires". |
So, let's get this straight:
1) You haven't got your pay
2) You haven't seen a plane ticket or itinerary
3) You've packed and you're about to vacate your apartment
4) The employer is driving you to the airport (and away from the apartment) on the day of the "flight"
5) The employer promises to pay you after your bags have been taken out of their car and you're in the terminal.
Is this right? You are so being dumped at the airport like the puppy that grew up and the Korean family didn't want anymore. You'll get your stuff out of their car and they'll run for the parking lot.
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Do people feel I should make a stand before I leave for the airport at 8a.m., the day before or wait and see and hope for the best?
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NOW! Call the labor board, the tax board, the police, the students' mothers, the wonjangnim's minister, call who you must, but get paid before vacating the apartment. Also get the plane ticket in your hands before allowing anybody to dump you at the terminal. If they won't do it because they can't pay you before payday, then stay in korea 1 or 2 or 3 days beyond payday. |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:30 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, what is that? "We'll pay you at the airport." Duhhhh. Next they'll say, "We'll pay you direct deposit while you're on the plane." Uh huh. Ok. |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:40 am Post subject: |
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By the way, to the OP, 60 days notice is BS. I should be 30 days which, in reality, is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long.
In reality, you did break the contract. That's why your boss was so upset and acted the way she did.
You said you were paid really well. I don't agree. |
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matthews_world
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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So your boss is sitting in a school with one less foreign teacher. Anyway, if I were the owner, I would definitely find another teacher next month. Do you think she'll wait around for you?
I don't understand how your boss is going to have the patience to wait around 3 months for you to return unless they are very gullable. |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Harsh post deleted by poster
Last edited by jacl on Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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Harsh post deleted by poster
Last edited by jacl on Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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joe_doufu
Joined: 09 May 2005
Location: Elsewhere
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| jacl wrote: |
| Yeah, what is that? "We'll pay you at the airport." Duhhhh. Next they'll say, "We'll pay you direct deposit while you're on the plane." Uh huh. Ok. |
Hey thewhat! How about an update! What happened? |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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joe_doufu wrote:
thewhat wrote:
they insist on paying me at the airport before I go.
You must be joking. You didn't agree to that. That's absurd.
It's one of the oldest scams going around. I think it's in the hagwon owner's handbook.
I know of one hagwon that has pulled that scam to many of the people I've known who has worked for them...and over the course of 9 years, I've met quite a few people that have worked there (I've warned them all, half of them still got screwed out of their last paycheck and/or severance). Thanfully, the guy recently closed shop and emmigrated to the US (lord have mercy on poor unsuspecting Americans). Brings me to question the competence of US Immigration in screening its applicants.
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ontheway
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...
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| Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 7:52 am Post subject: |
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plattwaz,
Glad to hear that you got paid. People should honor their verbal agreements. The problem is they often don't. Some cheat, but some just honestly don't remember. My advice is to get all contract terms, including changes and modifications in writing.
If you still like this lady and plan to return, if she convinced you by crying (and no one on Dave's was there to judge her), you should get everything in writing in advance and have a long heart to heart talk about everything before you leave. |
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