Korean Job Discussion Forums

[emetib]

I love my school and my employers. However, money isn't coming in as they've planned (the school is very green). Although they've paid me my salary each month, it has been separated into two payments the past couple of months. They keep promising me it will get better. This month it was divided into three portions (still waiting on the third one). Is it time to jump ship? What would be the potential contractual ramifications? They don't pay my housing and there is not a plane ticket involved, so I don't need to pay them anything. I'm also not concerned about finding other employment. My only concern is the LOR and a future employment recommendation from them (which I want). What are your opinions?

[Zackback]

As long as they are paying, albeit in pieces, stay on.

[rollo]

Right now they need you. They seem to be trying. As long as they pay stay. Killing their business would not be a good idea. It might come back to haunt you. things could get better, if not then begin to negotiate leaving. But negotiate and try to leave on good terms. Staying while times are tough may give you a leg up if business gets better.

[Troglodyte]

[RMNC]

I agree with Trog. If they pay you, work. If they don't, then don't work. I don't care how many pieces my check comes in, as long as I get my salary. Your continued presence there gives the school "cred" and may allow them to stay open longer/permanently because they won't be the school that had teachers jumping ship when the checks got split into pieces.

It does matter that the directors can tell the parents that you've been there X months or whatever, as parents don't like seeing a rotating door for the teachers. It's more likely that if you stay, things will get better for you and them together, and if you bail, then you'll be out of a job and they'll be out of business.

Yeah, you won't be rewarded for staying, but if you like the school and the kids, why not? It may, however, be a good time to start putting out resumes on Dave's and worknplay, just in case.

[OculisOrbis]

You should call the pension office and make sure they contributing to that.

You might also suggest that your employer split your severance and start including that in your monthly - if they cant make your monthly salary in one piece, then how will they pay out two months at once when you finish? If they divide up your severance and spread out the payments over your remaining months, it's easier for them and less risky for you should go bankrupt.

[DaHu]

It's getting worse, not better, probably time to bail.

That said, I doubt you'd get anything owed to you (which is probably substantial if you still haven't even gotten your full payment from last month)

[koreandefence]

[vonnegutjr]

When a school that I worked at wasn't doing very good they wouldn't pay me at all. I would stay on if they are trying to be legitimate and if you like the place.

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

[oldtrafford]

If business gets better, it's not going to benefit the OP in any way. They aren't going to give him a raise because he stuck with them through the bad times. He's not a close friend of the owner. He's an asset. That's all.

OP. Are you getting paid on time? When you say that they pay you in installments, does that mean that you are getting paid every 2 weeks for the previous two weeks? Or for 4 weeks ago? If you're not being paid on time, then you're just setting yourself up for a final month of ZERO pay.

Have you been there for 6 months? If not, then there's no use for an LOR because you can only transfer if you've been there for at least 6 months. If the school goes out of business then you can likely transfer even with neither 6 months nor an LOR. A recommendation from the boss isn't necessary to get a new job. It might help, but if you left early, then even with a recommendation you're reason for leaving might be viewed with suspicion. Believe it or not, there is no code of honour between hogwon owners. They're quite fine with passing along a lemon teacher to another school.

If you're being paid on time, then I'd suggest hanging around. IF you're being paid on time. If you're being paid 2 weeks late, then leave. It's only going to get worse. Cut your losses and sacrifice those 2 weeks of salary so that you can get yourself something better. Or go to the labor board and complain that you aren't being paid on time. If you aren't being paid (on time) then immigration may allow you to transfer to another employer without the LOR.


OP let me tell you, if you are up front with your concers with the school owner then it could go your way. This post I have quoted is a prime example of what is wrong with our English teaching community.

Speak to your boss, see what they say. As for the quoted message, unless this guy/gal has met your boss and spoken with your boss then they are in no position to say.

Yes, getting your salary on three different dates is real wrong of the English community. If I wasn't getting paid in full on my salary date, I'd be looking for another job. You'd be stupid not to!! Da word!

[sojusucks]

[Ramen]

have your bags packed and ready to go.

as other have said, late and/or breaking up pay is just a bad bad news that something unpleasant is going to happen sooner or later.

it's smart to leave before something happens.

[sing81]

So you need an LOR and to have been there for 6 months, in order to transfer?

I think you should stay, since they are being honest with you and help them make the biz sucessful. But CYOA, find out about pension and be ready to leave.

[emetib]

Thank you everyone for your input. You've all given me much to consider. =)

To clarify a few things:

I get paid as much as they can give me on my pay day (usually at least half). They then give me the remainder of my money as soon as they have it within the month. Usually it has been about 5-7 days later.

I am getting pension.

I have been here for six months at this school, and I have my own apartment that I am renting. I've experienced what happens when your school controls your apartment before. I'm never doing that one again. =)

My employers have done much to demonstrate that, contrary to many things that I've seen and experienced here in Korea, they are honest people. (Yeah, I know, quite the contradiction to what is common here.) They have been very open about the situation with the school. This is why it is a difficult decision for me.