Korean Job Discussion Forums

[strange_brew]

So, this is my last week and my boss states she doesn't have the money to pay me. They have known for a month that I am taking tomorrow (they owe me a day off as well) off to send all my money home, close my accounts, pay my bills, etc. Yesterday was pay day and she hasn't paid me yet, but states she will pay me in cash on Friday, not giving me much time to send my money home through a bank. I am going on a trip before I head home, so I don't want to have all that cash on me.

What would you folks suggest? What are the legal actions I can take? I am willing to rearrange my travel schedule and not leave until I get my money. In fact, I am not leaving the country until I get my money.

[jdog2050]

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Call the police, not being paid on ur payday is a crime in Korea. Your employer probably thinks you don't know this. If a Korean didn't get paid they'd call the police and have the employer arrested in a heartbeat.

[Jane]

Do you have any cause to suspect she won't pay you? Has she given you a clear payment date or time, or just 'later'?

When I left my hogwan, my director couldn't pay me right away, but I had been there long enough that I knew she would. Plus, she knew I wasn't leaving Korea for good. Finally, she had given me an exact day that she was going to pay me my last paycheck and severance, and she ended up paying me a few days earlier.

I think you should make it clear to them that you are not leaving Korea till you get. Also, I think you can call the labour board if they fail to pay you. You may want to make it clear that you have that channel available to you.

Once again, it's hard to tell without know more details about where you work...

[strange_brew]

Here's the thing, I leave the country in four days, I need to be paid now. She can't pay me at a later date, my ARC card expires then as well. She has the tendency to not pay her Korean teachers as well after they leave without them threatening her. I can't really threaten her since I won't be here.

As for just taking off, hell no, I'm owed quite a chunk of change, why should I just give it up?

Calling the police? Hmm, I've never heard of that?

[sarbonn]

If you have no reason to suspect there's going to be a problem with getting paid, why create one? Asking for legal options when you believe she's going to pay you might just create the rationale for why she does cause a problem in paying you. Find out your legal options if you don't get paid, but because it might be an inconvenience in getting the money changed shouldn't really be your reason for developing a solveable problem into a definite nightmare.

The inconvenience sucks, but don't go seeking problems that will just make it worse. If you suspect you won't get paid, that's another issue. Then do whatever you have to do. Lots of people keep making these "if you don't get paid, let loose the dogs of war" suggestions, especially when their money isn't on the line. Think logically before you do something you might later regret.

[strange_brew]

Because I believe there might be reason I could not get paid, otherwise I wouldn't post this. This has been a recurring problem all year. Sarbonn, ever hear of planning ahead. Why would I scramble for answers after I don't get paid, when I have to leave in two days, when I could try and get some suggestions now, when there is a bit of time still?

[sarbonn]

Hey, don't try to school me on "planning ahead." I offered advice, which is what you asked for. You are free to take it or not take it. It's not like I told you to kill your boss or run away and avoid ever getting paid. I told you to think about what you do before you do it. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I'm done. I'm so sick and tired of people asking for advice and then jumping down your throat when you offer it in a non-insultive way like so many others.

[strange_brew]

I'm not trying to be an ass or anything, I am asking for what legal channels there are. However, doesn't it seem silly to not worry about the inconvenience of getting OUR money? Is it too much to expect that we, as employees, should be paid on time. This is something this country has to really work on.

[jdog2050]

[awesome.ahsah!]

What a difficult situation. Good luck!

[wylies99]

You can't file with Labor until 14 days after a missed pay date.

OP, there are options, like refusing to leave the apartment, but if you leave the country, for good, and you haven't been paid, then you'll be out of luck because you must be in Korea to take any legal action.

You can always threaten to blacklist the school.

[CentralCali]

[ChinaBoy]

Well, it's too late now, but if you knew she didn't pay the Korean teachers their pay after they left, you should have had some inkling that you were going to get hosed as well.

If you're not coming back here after traveling, you're not going to get it. Even then it could be a fight.

[strange_brew]