Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicam]

Some of the PS teachers who arrived early last year (third week in August) and whose visas expire before the 31st of August, were told they could leave earlier in accordance with their visas, and had their tickets booked and early pay arranged and everything. Now, they have been told by their schools/provincial office that they will not be paid early, and will not get their severance until after they've gone (possibly way after).

None of us are comfortable with being paid after we've left. Not to mention, they are now trying to keep us in the country after our ticketed departure dates playing the "contract ends on the 31st card", meanwhile the weekend starts on the 28th...

Is this normal? Please help!

[OculisOrbis]

while you may not be comfortable, you will get paid. it's a public school. if it were a hagwon, i would say fight hard to get paid before you finish.

you can request your pay on your last day (they should pay on that day), but they can refuse and since you cant even make a labor claim until two weeks after they are late - there arent many options.

get a KEB account setup with an international cash card and wire transfer account and online banking. you can easily shift the funds from home when they deposit it.

[calicoe]

I think the late reimbursement is "normal", or happens a lot. I think just about everyone has to deal with the dilemma of getting their last pay and pension after they leave the country, and of course they will take their time. Best to wait for other advice on this one as I have not yet had to deal with it since my contract has not ended yet.

In terms of them saying yes to leaving early, and then turning around and saying no AFTER you book tickets, I am starting to become suspicious of this as a tactic. There's a chance that it is just normal Korean disorganization and hierarchical politics, but they did the same to me for my vacation: gave me the OK for three weeks, and then just days before I left turned around and asked me to change it. I refused, and so now they have an excuse to take a week of my pay if they so decide.

I'm not sure if this is about money, abuse of power or simple harassment; probably a combination of all three.

[mogbert]

Well, my principal was the one that initially allowed me to go 'early' although our contract states that if we leave within 10 days of our contract they will pay for airfare. It doesn't say we HAVE to stay to get serverance and all that jazz though.

I think it's because the head of Gyeongnam is this new lady. Probably trying to do it 'by the book' or some such thing.

[nicam]

It just doesn't make sense since none of us are teaching during said time, and it'll cost them more in ticket cancellation fees and visa extensions than they may expect to profit by our staying here.

My friend who is set to leave on the 21st is actually using her 7 days holiday in order to leave early, and they still are refusing to let her go. Basically it comes down to ONE day of overlap.

I'm worried for myself, as my ticket is for the 27th, and the 28th is a Friday, so do they expect us all to stay here throughout that weekend and depart in a mass exodus on the Monday (31st)?

Figured it was some new pedantic official over in Changwon behind all this...

[mogbert]

I did a demo class for her. She was nitpicking every little thing. So I figured she was the one behind it.

[nicam]

Oh and my biggest fear is that they are going to try and withhold the severance from us entirely on the basis that we did not technically "complete" the contract by staying until the 31st.

Love how we all got her well before the 31st, and started working well before the 31st, but they just tacked on a few extra days so they could keep us here in the end?! So, it's a year and a week contract I suppose...

[bixlerscott]

I inquired back in June about time of final payment and was told it would be September 10th. After explaining my situation that my visa is up on August 31st AND my flight is on August 31st AND the fact you can't access the Korean bank account from outside Korea, I got them to agree to pay me on August 25th. Now I'm all jittery that they won't follow through as they were late paying me 6 times and pulling fast ones now. Especially with calling me last night to move out of my apartment in 2 days from now during my vacation time. I was going to enjoy today through next Sunday in Seoul, but now that's blown. I couldn't even sleep last night and just feel really yucky about this Korea thing at this point. Antzy to be done with it.

[cruisemonkey]

This is a prime example of why you can never trust Ks even though they give their 'word' - it means nothing to them and can/will be disregarded if they think they will 'lose face'; or, upon a directive from the K's 'superior(s)'.

[bassexpander]

I'd be on my way to the National pension office myself to apply for it!

They can tell you if you are correctly in the system, and THEY can set it up to send you the money directly!

[cruisemonkey]

[bixlerscott]

Sure enough. It's Tuesday, August 25th and they act like they do not know anything about my severance and air money. It was back in late June I spoke with my school, coordinator, and county district officer who claimed to speak with the POE in early July with agreement that I would be paid last salary, severance, and airfare today in one lump sum. I gave them my air ticket on like July 10th when I purchased it, got aggreement to be reimbursed today and yesterday, they act like they did not have it nor knew anything about it so I reprinted it and gave it to them.

Well, today rolls around and I'm told I will only get my salary, but they need more time to determine if I'm eligible for severance and airfare. Keep in mind, I've been at this EPIK job for 15 months and they agreed to pay me on August 25th. I know Korean labor law gives them like 2 weeks after termination of employment, but I explained back in late June and early July that it makes no sense to hold a teacher up with no place to stay, fact I can't access my Korean bank account from outside of Korea, and losing money on the booked flight out as well as immigration visa issues. I seriously doubt if the school would pay for any costs incured to me out of such an inconvenience as these issues are not stated in my contract, because it's intended and logical that all business matters would be completed by the last business day before flight though this is not specifically stated.

They also spoke with me today wanting me to move out of the apartment on Friday to move the new teacher in, but I am saying I need until Sunday and to put the new teacher up in a motel for 2 nights just like how I stayed in my 1st week.

[marlow]

Close your bank account and make them wire it to you and mail you the pay slip. There is no regulation you have to be paid it into a Korean account, but there is a regulation they have to give it to you. Doesn't matter where you are I would think.

[nicam]

I had a feeling this thread would pop back up on or around the 25th.

Raise hell without freaking out, but raise hell. Of course you are "eligible" for severance. What the hell are they talking about? I don't get it, my school paid me everything as promised yesterday, even gave me transportation allowance to get to Gimhae, but some of the other local teachers had to really push. I mean really push. A friend of mine just harassed them constantly, in the nicest possible way, and they finally gave in. It was a pain in the arse and a waste of an otherwise enjoyable last two days in Korea, but they changed their tune eventually.

Write a letter to the highest authority if that doesn't get you anywhere, translate it if necessary. Don't rest until you get your money. That's what I say.

What does happen when your severance is paid later? They deposit it into your account back home? If all else fails I'd give them an acct. number back home I guess.