Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lille]

One month left in our contracts, and it's been a rocky year with our hagwon. We suspect they're in the hole, and they're finding reasons to back out of providing flights. The contract is hazy - it stipulates that flights are to be provided on a "case by case basis". Isn't it standard practice to provide a ticket, or if the teacher isn't going straight home, to reimburse a slightly smaller amount of money than the ticket price? The school is outright refusing this to anyone considering staying in Korea (or anyone who's undecided) and is trying to cheap out on folks that are looking to fly home straight away as well.

If the school backs out of flight reimbursement, should we suspect that they'll also try to hose us on our final paychecks and bonus money? Aside from hiring a lawyer, are there any employee tactics that are useful in cases like these? We're all willing to stand together on the issue - we're not worried about anyone scabbing.

Any input is appreciated! We're all feeling pretty helpless right now.

[kinerry]

usually you contact the police, but you said yourself that your contract states that it's "case by case"

read the contract next time, this isn't a government program, they aren't obligated to do ANYTHING

[hockeyguy109]

Yeah, that really sucks. Sounds like you shouldn't have signed a contract that said that. Never seen a contract with a clause like that in it, sketchy.

How are you for money? Are they giving you a bonus or pension? Are you going to be able to pay the ticket home if necessary? If you want to fight it, you could act like there is no money and refuse to move out of the apartment. See what happens. Could go three ways:

1. They have police kick you out.

2. If it turns out some Hagwons owners have souls (not likely), they might give you a cheap ticket home.

3. They haven't been paying into your pension as stated in the contract. Blackmail them hardcore to pay up for the ticket. Tell them if not, you will contact the labor board.

Good luck!

[lille]

That's what I was afraid of. We were shy newbies when we signed - none of us asked enough questions at the time, as we were nervous about our somewhat domineering director losing patience with us early in the game. The end of the contract seemed, at the time, to be a lifetime away.

Are there any threats we can make that are legal?

[hockeyguy109]

Have they been paying into your pension? Does your contract stipulate a bonus after completion of contract? If so and they don't pay, give them hell.

Have they been good employers? If they didn't pay the pension and still refused to give a cheap ticket, I would threaten them with labor board problems.

Tell them, "Look, the pension and bonus is a lot more than the plane ticket would be. I don't want trouble. Just pay my ticket home and I won't cause problems."

[lille]

I'll have a look at my pay stubs and see if pension has been paid. That might be good leverage. Thanks!

[hockeyguy109]

The reason I ask is because very few Hagwons pay into the pension. If it has been "taken" from your paycheck, they probably pocketed the money. Ask them when you will receive your pension. If they say no, ask them when you will receive your plane ticket home. If they say no, ask them when they would like to have a meeting with the labor board regarding breaking their contract.

[lille]

Shrewd! I see it's been taken out of my pay each month, so I'll ask about it first thing tomorrow. Thanks for the great tip - I'll let you know if it's effective.

[CentralCali]

Don't ask your employer if the money deducted has been paid into your pension account, ask the pension office. Also verify the amount paid monthly. One trick used by dishonest employers is to report to the pension office that your salary is 1/2 of its actual amount and then they pay only the amount actually deducted from your salary so it looks legitimate to you.