Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LikeFrostOnRoads]

So a co-worker of mine is headed out at the end of the month and she's been trying to tie up all her financial odds and ends. Without any prior mention of the pension, today the manager (not director) interrupted her class, shoved a piece of paper in her face, said that this was the pension she was getting back and then pulled it away before she even had the chance to grasp the numbers on the page. She went on to tell the manager that she had already made an appointment with the pension office later today, and the manager became angry.

Well long story short, she finds out through the pension office that the school marked her salary as 1 million won, registered her 3 months late, and missed several payments since registering. So while she has paid her pension 12 times through deductions in her paycheck, the school has only forwarded that payment (along with their half) 7 times. On top of that, the payment has been much lower than it should've been. The payments of 45k work out to be about 2% of her salary as opposed to the required 4.5%. So, while she (and myself as well) has had to pay less per month, she is also getting shafted out of the school's contribution.

I'm afraid of the consequences of confronting the director about this especially since I've just extended my contract for another 3 months. I'm also not sure exactly what my co-worker should demand, or if it's even possible to get anything out the school that's owed. What do you think?

[ttompatz]

[OculisOrbis]

And if your co-worker does what ttompatz says, the employer will also likely get fined, in addition to getting sorted for her actual income, for a lot more than what they thought they could save by lying to the pension office.

Just make sure that everyone makes the claim as a group or the employer could settle up with pension for one worker while cheating everyone else working at the hagwon - if you know any recent employees who no longer work there, contact and add them to the claim as well.

[LikeFrostOnRoads]

I'm happy that there's an outlet for my co-worker (and myself) in this case, but I'm a bit concerned about the school's reaction to this complaint. While my co-worker may get out of here with the money she's owed, my other co-worker and I are stuck here for the next 3 months and I'm worried that if we file as a group, they will just fire the two of us at the last minute so they don't have to pay severance and plane ticket, making up the cost.

[OculisOrbis]

Well, you have three options.

1. Go to the pension office now and cower down to the employer's retaliation.

2. Go to the pension office now and fight the employer's (potential) retaliations with the labor board (should it be necessary).

3. Wait three months until you finish your contract and (potentially) get your severance and airfare (without having to go to the labor board), and then go the pension office to file a complaint.

Up to you. I would take Option 2 since a loss at pension doesnt leave them much choice. They would have no defense at labor board if they screwed with you in month 10-12 after already getting spanked by the pension office.

*EDIT: Sorry, I neglected to mention Option 4 because I would never consider it, but #4 is do nothing and let your employer take all your (and your coworkers') money with no chance of any consequences.*

[sojusucks]

[LikeFrostOnRoads]

[OculisOrbis]

By waiting until your contract is finished, you would hopefully receive your full severance and airfare before turning him in to face fines with the pension office. If you go to the pension office before your employment is completed, you are basically asking for some sort of vindictive retaliation from your employer.