Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

My contract states that I get paid on the 1st of every month. For the last week in August and the first week of September, there was a two week unpaid break between semesters (this is in the contract- I get paid hourly rather than a salary).

So Friday night, three days before my scheduled pay day (which as of this writing will be tomorrow), one of my managers sends me a text and tells me my pay day has been moved to the 10th. When I inform him that my contract says otherwise, he says because I started teaching again on September 10th (after the two week break), I will get paid on October 10th for a full month rather than on the 1st for three weeks.

Am I being unreasonable by insisting on keeping my pay date the same? I do see the logic in what they're doing, but I'm bothered by the fact they told me about the change rather than ask me if a change is okay by me.

If I'm in my rights to oppose it, what should I do? Is a strike in order (ie refuse to work until the money is in my account)?

[Milwaukiedave]

I would try to come up with some kind of a compromise. Tell them if they really need to move your pay date to the 10th, then they can pay you for the three weeks leading up to it so that you are up todate on your pay.

Have they made other changes like this to your contract? If so, this could be a bad sign.

The problem with getting too upset about it is that it could lead to them letting you go (which assuming that were the reason would probably cause you to go to the Labor Board for them firing you without cause). I disagree with them doing that willynilly and not consulting you. It seems like very poor treatment on their part.

[atomic42]

Will it make a difference in your life if the date is moved or are you just concerned the contract isn't being followed? I would let it slide after letting the boss know you aren't thrilled about it and asking for an updated contract reflecting the change.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

[MarionG]

Does this end up meaning that you will be working 10th to the 10th, paid on the 10th? Or does it mean they are really creating a hold back period on your pay? It sounds to me as if that may be what they are doing.

[cdninkorea]

[spliff]

Tell them the 1st or I'm walking...then call the labor board, they can help in cases where the employer isn't able to read.

[garykasparov]

Here's what should have happened;

( 1 ) Your employer should have spoke with you, face to face, about the said change of the date of pay stipulated in your labor contract.

( 2 ) Both parties should have mutually agreed upon the new date of pay.

( 3 ) Upon mutual agreement, the clause specifying when you're paid should have been modified AND there should have been a provision written in your contract that clearly defined the precise month day, year the modification was made, mutually agreed upon and when it went into effect.

Do you think your employer will honor your contract throughout the rest of the contract term? Only you know that. However, these are things you should take a stand on with your employer. I have some other questions;

( 1 ) Has your employer provided you with a health insurance card?
( 2 ) Has your employer been deducting income tax and paying it to the District Tax Office?
( 3 ) Has your employer been making contributions into the Korean National Pension Plan and deducting an equal amount to be paid to the pension office?

[yingwenlaoshi]

[cdninkorea]

Gary Kasparov:
As usual, you make good points. Thank you for posting.

I wrote in my previous post that I can afford to wait until the 10th. Since writing that I have made some calculations and realized that I was wrong; while I have enough to pay my rent, I don't have enough for my other expenses like groceries and transportation for the next week and a half without withdrawing from my bank account back home (where I send my savings earned in Korea).
I hate touching my account back home for living expenses in Korea, and that in conjunction with this:

[Young FRANKenstein]