Korean Job Discussion Forums

Kiddirts · Joined: 25 Jul 2003

Okay, so maybe my trip to Thailand may have just received an extension. This is what happened (actually I still don't know what happened! Nor who to thank...if anyone at all) My last day at the hagwon was this Saturday. I gave my boss two weeks after a verbal argument about him expecting much more than what he agreed to in the contract (he broke this thing like 8 times in so many ways) Although we had a good relationship for the most part and I found him a fair man, I did not expect what happened (in fact even in the end he tried to pinch a bit). So I get 2.6 a month and my hours totalled 93 hours. he gave me my pay today on a 3/4 scale explaining that I worked three weeks...the 3/4's amount was written on the outside of the envelope although I didn't look inside. I told him his mistake, and said he had to return to the secretary who takes care of all the school's finances. Although the secretary speaks no english, we always smiled and I always thought she liked me (Those hagwon secretaries!) okay... so after she handed him the envelope after a few minutes to hand to me (he was at the copier) She kind of winked at me as this was goodbye...it wasn't until I got home that I realized instead of getting 1,955,000 sitting in there was 2,955,000. I was like holy $HIT. I can't figure out what the heck happened...the money was also in a different unmarked envelope. We left on good terms (the boss and I) and I want to thank him so much for this generous bit, but I'm not sure who was responsible?? Was the money already in there and she only added around 90,000 or what happened? Don't want to thank him and find out it was an honest/dishonest mistake by the secretary, or anything else. But this will be on my mind for a while...I'm dying to find out how this happened. Can a typical hagwon owner be this generous?

Juggertha · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Anyang, Korea

maybe just say a general thanks.

such as "I know we had our differences but i'm glad I had the opportunity to work with you. Your school (and staff) is a fine place place to work. Good luck in the future"

kinda thing.

maxxx_power · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Location: BWAHAHAHAHA! I'M FREE!!!!!!!

Call to cable operater: "Ummm, I've been getting free cable for the last 6 months, is this ok?"

Operator: "Ummmm, no, expect a retroactive bill in the mail within the week"

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY DO NOT TELL!

Austin · Joined: 23 May 2003 Location: In the kitchen

You have to love the hypocrisy that manifests itself here!

Employees complain about their employers, but the reality is that the "teachers" can be just as corrupt.

Though I am sure it was not a mistake, the way you handle it will speak volumes of your character.

If it were a mistake, would you want to keep it?

posco's trumpet · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: Beneath the Underdog

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

I was paid 60,000 extra once (it was a mistake). I returned it. For the next two years (same place) I never had a single problem with being paid on time and in full. If I had a problem with the apt (water, TV) it was fixed within the same day. The week before I finished my contract, the owner invited me to spend a weekend with him and his family at the beach.

A little honesty can go a long way in improving working relationships. Show him that not all Westerners are out for whatever they can take the director for. Also I should think that the next time he looks at his bank book he's going to figure out that he is missing 90,000 and it won't take long for him to figure out where it went. Feel like being reported to Immigration for theft? Even if it was a mistake, what's to stop him from saying that you stole it? Do the right thing (if not for yourself, the next teacher that comes over).

Kiddirts · Joined: 25 Jul 2003

90,000? $$$hit...we're talkin' 1.0--->and when it comes down to it...this guy has done things like pay me 2.0 for not working the whole 120 hours a month when the contract he signed stated..."minimum monthly payment despite the number of hours worked is 2.6" He's also done things like have me work 150 hours a month and try to throw that onto the next months hours that wouldn't have totaled 120 to avoid paying me overtime...stuff like this leads me to believe it was a mistake although his character was that of a warm person. I think I like the cable guy's idea better, how in the hell could it be theft?

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

One time (at home) I got overpaid by $75. I asked my boss. He took my cheque. I thin had to wait a week to get the proper amount, and I didn't even get a thanks for being honest.

You know how one person does something wrong, and it ruins it for everyone? Well, that guy did it to me.

Keep the money. They'd do it to you in a heartbeat.

posco's trumpet · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: Beneath the Underdog

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

kiddirts...
Why ask the forum. You know you will get roasted eventually. If I remember your other posts, you said they were underpaying you. Well here is the balance. pocket the money, get on with life and have a smile Smile

paul · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Taiwan

There was a item in the paper the other day about a Taiwan janitor who found something like $10 million in a bag in the basement of the bank and returned it! What a dufus!

Anyway, I had a similar Karma thing happen to me: I had a bad relationship with my first school and ended my contract after three months. The thing is, I wanted a release and I wanted the 3.O I earned the previous month, and then I was gone.

The short story is, despite our bad feeling for each other, they overpaid me by 200,000 won. I returned it and they gave me an excellent reference for my next job and my formal release. And their sister school was very near my present school and we continued to see each other every so often.

It pays to be honest because it usually bites you in the ass later.