Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Stinky Llama]

After a complicated situation with my last hagwon where one higher up told me that I "had no reason to stay" if I didn't want (she apparently didn't like me for no real reason), I gave my 30 days notice. She retaliated and told me to leave earlier (aka fire me first) but another boss stopped it from happening. So, I stayed my last 30 days.

Anyway... to make a long, long story short...

I worked 17 days in November and was to move out of my apartment in December. The hagwon had paid the key money for the apartment and it was stated in a contract that in the event I was to leave the apartment early, I would have to pay only the real estate fees.

However, pay day came and went (early December). The school didn't pay up. After persistent inquiring, they said it was because they hadn't rented out the old apartment yet. They had nearly two months to find someone and hadn't done so.

They finally found someone...who is suppose to move in on January 10th. Since it was my "fault" for choosing a "pricey" apartment, they claim they are holding my pay to deduct the extra month of rent and any other fees despite the fact that it does not mention anything of the sort in any contract. I was even trying to be nice at one point and agreed to pay partially but they want everything deducted.

I sought legal counseling who said the whole situation was illegal and when I brought this up with the school, they said if I did anything, they would also make me pay for the new teacher's visa run and brought up a bunch of other totally irrelevant stuff.

So, I'm going to the labor board tomorrow. Legally, they don't have a case on their side...

The only thing I'm worried about is that a really nice manager at that school wants to keep the peace and knows that I'm right but also wants to remain loyal to the hagwon. So, he is willing to let them deduct money from him in order to keep the school from getting in trouble while still giving the money that is rightfully mine. He is a super nice man and has a family to raise so I absolutely refuse to take that amount of money from him...

Anyway, just thought I'd post this for feedback and to share another hagwon story.

Wish me luck tomorrow!

[valkerie]

Good luck!

[mountainous]

How do you think the hakwon is going to 'get into trouble'?? As far as I can tell by experience and reading, hakwons do not have to pay salary.