Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jst]

Like many school teachers, I was asked to provide 900,000 won as a kind of "security deposit". I've left my middle school, and am now at a hagwon.

When do you get the 900,000 won refunded back to you?

[SeoulNate]

did you finish your contract?

[jst]

[chrisinkorea2011]

[jst]

[chrisinkorea2011]

[jst]

[chrisinkorea2011]

[decolyon]

Sometimes it takes a while for all the electric, gas, cable, internet, etc bills to come in. Your school will then call each of those companies and make sure there are no missed payments or back payments that need to be made. Then they'll have your landlord look at the apartment and make sure you didn't break any windows or rip wallpaper off or there isn't something that needs to be replaced.

And then once all that stuff is done, they will make sure there isn't a way for you to owe the school itself for anything. Broken computer, something in your class, etc.

And finally once it's all said and done, they will get around to getting it to you. Depending on your school, it could be the same day, or they could put in on the "to do" list for a while, or they may wait until the next pay period so they can do all their banking at the same time.

I've found that most ps school tend to be honest about money, since they have government oversight. But they'll be thorough and squeeze any little bit out of it they can. I knew one school that had the landlord look for any little detail in the apartment he could find to charge for. That teacher had dropped a hammer or something and left the slightest little dent in the floor covering, so the landlord said he needed to replace the whole flooring so it would all match. Thus, that teacher lost a significant amount on his deposit. A lot of times these repair companies will write one amount on the receipt, but then take in cash a much smaller amount. They'll make it up later on another customer by writing a smaller amount on the receipt and then offering to throw in "extras" for some under the table costs. They'll say, "hey, you know you really need your above the stove fan replaced. If I write it up, it'll be another $150, plus labor costs... but I have a slightly used one in the back of my van I'll install for $75 and labor if you pay me in cash."

Ah crooked repair men, you thrive in any circumstance.

[RMNC]

This is why you don't sign contracts with housing deposits. You might as well consider that money gone, because a huge portion of schools don't pay it back.

[ajm04m]

This kind of deposit system is most likely illegal under Korean labor law. If the money was taken out of your pay check, it is absolutely illegal.

[ssuprnova]

[ThingsComeAround]

[Chris.Quigley]

GEPIK took 900,000 out of my pay cheques... I got it all back. I don't see the problem with it.

[hagwonnewbie]

It takes about 2 months because of the billing cycles and office paperwork chain. I'd bet that you will get all that's due to you.