Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

Labour board.

[lacoya]

Well I talked with my boss several times over the last few days and asked for at least some of what they owed me and received small sum not even worth mentioning.

I've spoken with the labor board and have been told that I need to file a report with an office that is two hours away by bus. They speak no English at this office. I was also told I could file on the internet, but they didn't have the site address. Does anyone know how I can get to this site.

Also how does a Letter of Release work. Do I have to give 30 days notice? I heard I can get one from Immagration. Do I need one if I don't plan to come back to Korea to work (ever!!!!)

I just want my money and I want to go home.

[Grotto]

You only need a release letter if you want to return to Korea or continue working in Korea within the time frame of your current contract.

[Hater Depot]

If you just want to get your money and go home, and if that means you don't care about being fired and possibly blacklisted, then just make an ultimatum: pay up or you quit. As I see it that your only choice right now.

[buymybook]

Before you quit get student names/numbers/e-mail addresses. Do it quitely. Put your e-mail address on the white board and ask for their contact information. If they ask why, tell them it's for the future if/when you go home.

This is to contact them if and when you someday decide to do such a thing. You can use it as a negotiating tactic with your boss to get your money, it may or may not work.

You can call 1350 to speak with someone with English skills representing the labor office. You need to find a Korean friend who will help you. They will probably need to go to the labor office with you. I was acquainted with a Korean from the local store/market who even had time off during the day to help me with things. Do you know a Korean, if so ask them for help. They may be reluctant to help or they may help for awhile and then quit. Find yourself some back ups. Think ahead, meet other Koreans.

The problem with all this is that any fine the labor office imposes on them will probably be much smaller than what they owe you. You could take something ransome or to sell before you go home i.e. laptop. Don't let them see you do such a thing and don't keep it in your house. Do they have any expensive teaching tools i.e. tapes c.d.'s etc...?

If you win at the labor office it will take approx. 3 months after you file the complaint. The next step is to file a lawsuit in civil court. The entire process could take 3 years. At that point the process of receiving your money begins.

You got to have balls during the process while sometimes feeling like an outcast. Throughout the period many people foreign and Korean will tell you to quit.

I have been to the court house about 50 times(5 criminal court dates and approx. 15 civil court dates-still counting) for various reasons, be prepared to go through anything if you want to fight. Oh yeah, I can't forget about the 4 or 5 trips to the labor office 2 of which were for labor hearings.

I wouldn't advise doing anything illegal, it's your choice. At the labor office or court your employer will probably say you are illegal for some reason even if you do nothing. Living in a small area, you should find the local court house and search for a new job near there. If you have enough money you could wait for the Visa period to expire and then get a new job. If you file any complaint against them they will probably not give you a letter of release. They want you to go home and the court will probably want you to go home.

[rapier]

Stop teaching until U get paid. Quit. walk out. Business is business.

[sjk1128]

I have recently been through a Labor Board dispute with my former boss because he was 2 weeks behind on paying me. Having received my pay the month before more than 3 weeks late, basically when the bastard felt like paying me, I refused to work until he payed me. The fact that I did not go to work one day was frowned on by the Labor Board - which eventually ruled in my favor. I got my money after several meetings at the board and threatening and hounding my boss with daily phonecalls and e-mails. I agree with the posters who said that you should go to work but refuse to teach until you are paid. That will at least call their hand. You will know what the intend to do, and no one can fault you for refusing to teach after 4 months without pay.

You can stay and find a better position. I am at a public school and relatively happy. However, seeing how that kind of "business" is conducted in Korea has permanently colored how I view the culture and its people. It represents a serious social problem here which Korea is still trying to address.

Good luck. PM me if you want the details of how one proceeds with a Labor Board dispute....

[poet13]

OP. buymybook seems to have extensive experience with the legal processes in Korea, though please do not listen to the suggestion to, "You could take something ransome or to sell before you go home i.e. laptop. Don't let them see you do such a thing and don't keep it in your house. Do they have any expensive teaching tools i.e. tapes c.d.'s etc...?"
That's a really bad idea, and if you were caught doing something that silly, I can't imagine the labor board seeing your side of the dispute, no matter how right you are. A criminal case of theft hanging over your head would taint any perception of you as a wronged party.

Another poster had an inetersting suggestion. Go to work, but dont teach. It would be tough to sit in a chair for the whole day and do nothing, but it's an interesting concept. Don't know anything about the legalities though....
I will call you this weekend...

[Milwaukiedave]

[lacoya]

Just wanted to thank you all for all your advice, concerns and comments.

Through friends in the states I found someone in Seoul to help me out. I gave my month's notice at the beginning of June and was paid all the money I was due when I left on my last day. I'm now home in the states.

Thanks again for all your help.

[ChopChaeJoe]

Happy 4th of July.

[jacl]

Good for you!

And remember: Christmas is every day.

[ella]

Glad to hear you found a way to get what you were owed and get home okay, lacoya.

[ilovebdt]

[PaperTiger]

Not to be insensitive, but what the hell is up with these people who work for free? Why did you keep working after the first month you didn't get paid? What rationale did your boss offer you to convince you to keep working without pay?

Anyone? Anyone?