Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Reena]

Hi! Just wondering if anyone knows if severance pay is optional or not - I'm sure there is a thread about this somewhere but can't find it right now. What if the employer were to change the contract and take the part about the severance pay out?

Thanks!

[Hater Depot]

It is legally required for the employer to pay severance for a completed contract. They don't have to pay until you leave, though, so if you sign three consecutive one-year contracts, they aren't required to pay out until the end.

[J.B. Clamence]

Severence is a requirement by law under certain circumstances (ie - provided you are a full time employee, working the full year, etc.).

However, according to law, it is not required if they enroll you in a private pension plan. A lot of universities do this: Offer private pension instead of severance. And yes, it is legal.

Some schools are generous and offer both private pension and severance. But if they are not paying pension, or if they are only offering the national pension plan, they must pay severance (assuming you meet certain conditions).

See this thread for a more detailed discussion:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=43672&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=private+universities+pension+severance&start=0

[Roch]

Mr. Ahn, the owner of the Genius Jack English Institute in Sin-Jeju City, still owes me all of my pension money, and apparantly refuses to pay this debt to me - despite an order from the Jeju branch of the Korea National Pension Corporation.

He also has not paid the income tax deductions from my salary to the tax authorities.

[the eye]