Korean Job Discussion Forums

[StavvioD]

Good evening all,

I work in a public after school job working through a "middle man company" - really sweet hours, really nice school and 85% of my students are great. I'm three months into my second contract in Korea (albiet, different schools), and every month they have paid late. My first month about 8 days, last month they paid me in two chunks (1 and 8 days late because I complained) and today they, with no prior notice until I called to complain have asked me to wait "a few days" for my wages.

Needless to say, I lost my cool and kicked off big time. Anyway, tomorrow (June 1st), I supposed to be doing open classes for the student's parents and gave the company an ultimatum - pay me before I start work at 2pm or I'm not teaching - simple, so start looking for cover. The company was like "Oh, cr*p!" and told me they would pay me before 2pm, but I do not have any faith in them. They even refused to let me speak, or contact the "big boss man", my supervisor insisting he will fix the problem...

I'm fed up of having to fight for my money every month. I send money home every month and live on a budget and have to stretch it out an extra x number of days each month. Yet, apart from this annoying and repetitive situation - my job is pretty sweet (4 hours a day, 2.3 plus housing).

What would you do? Go through with my ultimatum, and maybe/probably get sacked, or wimp out?

Oh, yea - I'm also looking for a thread on public after school jobs I was reading sometime last week, but now can't find. I'm pretty wise on the public after school gigs - I know they cover stuff up for taxes etc, but could someone give me a few other examples as to what they get upto?

Cheers

[lifeinkorea]

Ok, there are 2 things here.

One is the open parent thing. I don't think you did the right thing by piling the pay issue along with it. The pay issue needs to be addressed when there aren't these extras.

I would apologize immediately for giving them the impression that you would boycott such an event in the future. Say something honest and simple to understand, "I am sorry for talking to you about my pay when parents are coming to observe my classes. These are important events for parents so they can meet me. I look forward to the next time I can meet parents and want to work with the school".

Wait till next pay day, DON'T say anything. You need to now create a separation between the parent's thing and your pay, so when you complain next time they know it's ONLY to do with pay.

I have had to do this too several times. One time, when just normal classes were scheduled, I stayed at the bank closest to the school and told them I would teach when my pay was deposited. After 1 missed class, the money was there and I immediately rushed to school and continued. My pay was never late again.

Be firm and strong about the pay, but don't bring other obligations that you do have into this.

[StavvioD]

Good advice,

I just lost my cool. It's only by pure coincidence the open classes are tomorrow. I'm supposed to be paid on the 30th every month, but the 30th was on Sunday, so I had to wait until today. However, the way I felt when checking the bank around 6.30pm this evening and they had'nt even bothered to let me know they couldn't pay (again), I'd have still have gone off the hook about it.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[lifeinkorea]

[Jandar]

They're supposed to pay you the Friday before if payday falls on the Weekend or the day before in case of a midweek holiday.

I believe this is in the labor laws.

I used the exact same strategy for some renewal bonus pay that was over a month late.
I refused to conduct after school overtime classes until I was paid (still conducting normal schedule classes).
This was considered an insult to the Principal, I got paid resumed after school overtime classes.

Upon completion of my contract I requested and was refused a letter of reference just because of this incident.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[oldfatfarang]

OP. this situation has developed because you let your school pay you late on your first payday. That has given them a licence to keep paying you late. You can expect your pays to get later, and later, and perhaps you'll have other problems regarding vacation etc.

It's time for you to remind your employer (politely, but firmly), that you are not a volunteer. You expect to be paid for the hours you've worked, on your payday. Not one day late.

While late pays are part of Korean business practice, they will only apply to you if you let them.

I learnt this lesson the hard way. At my first hagwon I had to refuse to teach on payday, and I had to travel to the bank with the director to get paid. Every payday.

I had a problem at my new public school, where they refused to pay me on my first payday, because of some 'pay problem'. Lots and lots of excuses, and no pay. This was after a 9 day unpaid orientation, and one month of working - and then being told I couldn't be paid (and no date given when I would be paid).

I only had 10,000 won left to my name, so I refused to teach 2 classes on my payday. I also told my school that it was discraceful to treat someone that way, especially someone who'd come half way around the world to help their kids.

Bingo. Major loss of face all round. All of a sudden people were leaping around the teachers' office, and my pay was deposited at 4pm.

I didn't make any friends doing that, and it will eventually get me canned, but I got my pay.

Up to you.

Good luck.

[lifeinkorea]

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[BoholDiver]

The ultimatium has bad timing for your school and sort of a happy coincidence for the OP. I'd wait a day and give the ultimatium afterwards. The boss has proven to pay late, but actually pay.

I'd have a private meeting with the boss and explain my situation. I have had to do this, despite having enough in the bank to survive for a year or so. I tell my boss my personal situation (with a little exaggeration) that I live from paycheck to paycheck, and in my case, being a family man, I say things like 'I need to feed my child'.

I never make a big deal about getting paid after the weekend of a payday, and not before, as long as the employer has proven to be reliable.

[lifeinkorea]

[hari seldon]

From a legal standpoint, I believe they can pay you up to 15 days late. BTW, did they set you up on the National Health Insurance and Pension Plan?

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[BoholDiver]

Yes, I have heard that too. Korean law highly favours the employer and allows employees to get shafted.