Korean Job Discussion Forums

nzbradly78 · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Location: Czech Republic

Hi,

I'm having some real trouble at work and I'm starting to get unbelievably frustrated right now.

I've been working for my present hogwon since late August. I've been asking for a copy of my contract since then. They tried to give a generic copy, but I want the one I signed. Every time I ask, my manager gets pissy and grumbles how inconvenient that is. Really?

Another reason I'm irritated with my employer is they've taken about 600,000 won out of my first two paychecks. Supposedly this is for a deposit on school provided apartments. But I have my own apartment and the bills are in my name. Now they're saying they're keeping the money as insurance that I finish my contract.

Would the labour board be worth my while, or just a waste of my time? I've been promised (again) that I'll get a copy of my contract tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath.

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

You didnt even make a copy of the contract you signed before you gave it to them?

Should you ever get a look at the contract you signed, and there is no clause about a housing deposit or it indicates the deposit is only applied when the housing is provided, it is definitely worth a trip to the labor board.

Even if you boss refuses to provide a copy of the contract to you, you could file labor claim for unpaid wages......it may not get your deposit back, but it would require your boss to provide the contract that has your signature agreeing to the housing deposit.

You'll probably need that contract when you have to go to the labor board again for future issues......

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

The labor board is worth it if you have a valid case of a violation of labor law.

Not giving you a copy of your contract is not a labor board issue (it is your responsibility to have your own copy when you entered the agreement).

The housing deposit is another matter and, unless they can prove you agreed to it in advance, they would be in violation of labor law and you can claim it back.

I suggest you have a look at the relevant sections of the labor act and then decide if your job is worth the fight (cause after you file a claim your boss is gonna get real pissy over it and do their best to make the workplace as miserable as they can for you.

.

Skyblue · Joined: 02 Mar 2007

When you get your next pay, just tell them you're walking unless you get your stuff the next day, and don't back down.

nzbradly78 · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Location: Czech Republic

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure if they can make it more miserable than they already are. I've got more teaching hours than anybody else here. As much as I would love to tell them to stick and walk out, I've got a family to support till we bail out of here in July.

And in case why your wondering why they are making it miserable for them, I had the nerve to tell them that if they are serious about improving the speaking abilities of the students, then they need to include deliberate teaching and assessment of conversation for the students. Guess I should have kept my mouth shut!

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

The Hagwon from hell is a rite of passage. Pray a lot, grit your teeth and finish your contract.

Also, if you have been complaining and venting this frustration without any change on the part of your employer, try using the silent treatment. They have probably been giving it to you to drive you crazy, but not having to talk to them is often a blessing. So, if they aren't bothering you, stay out of range and let someone else take the bullets. If they are bothering you, put your head down, do your work, enjoy your kids, and get further down range.