Korean Job Discussion Forums

yangban · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 1:53 am Post subject: Work a month and not get paid?

I'm less than a week from payday, and I'm not sure if I will or not. What do I do, if they don't pay me?

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

yangban · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 2:04 am Post subject:

Well, one of the natives quit recently. They didn't give him two days pay that he worked past his payday. I have been asking the male "owner" if he still owns the business. He tells me yes, but when I persist, he says that it doesn't matter who owns it. The new lady pays me, told me she owned the business but now is saying that she doesn't own it the male owner still has it. The male owner never shows up anymore. She said she didn't pay the other guy because she doesn't have a contract with him. She doesn't have one with me either. I have been asking about my bonus, because I don't think I will see it. He says yes, he will pay it. But he says he will split it with the new owner, who doesn't own it now (they claim), and they will both do it. Both of them lie consistently. I do my job, I come to work, I work hard. That won't be grounds not to pay me. But I am just not sure if they won't just tell me go screw myself. I am the only native left.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

yangban · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 2:08 am Post subject:

What if they don't need me? What if they come up with an alternative? Have another native teacher around? Of course, they haven't told the parents that the other guy left... over a week ago.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Have you sorted out with immigration your visa status as you are working illegally if not.

yangban · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 2:21 am Post subject:

No. His licenses are still on the wall. What do I do?

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

The parents are paying for YOU. If another teacher comes to take your job, just tell him or her that they don't pay and you can both leave.

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

At my last job, just last month, the boss would go to great lengths to cheat on his employee taxes. Usually he'd pay myself, and the korean teachers, cash accompanied by a payslip complete with the regular "deductions". He also encouraged students to pay cash wherever possible thus avoiding income declaration.

Toward the end of my employment he was looking for a business buyer and pay became late, then later, then too late so I gave notice.

If you haven't yet been paid late, then hang fire until it happens. If it happens you have a serious breach of contract and an automatic letter of release, so don't worry too much on that account (just make sure you have enough saved away for next month until you paid from a new job).

If the business does formally change hands from the old guy to the new woman, just be aware that she's in no way liable for anything he owes you, and consequently will not pay you any bonus or airfare outstanding or anything else.

Apart from that too many more if's and but's so post again if anything happens. Just keep your eyes open.

canuckistan · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 4:13 pm Post subject:

If a school is sold, the new owners have to notify immigration so a name change can be made on your E-2. If the new owners don't do it within a certain time period, they are liable for heavy fines. Furthermore, you should sign a new contract with the new owners. If you don't, they can easily screw you out of paying the conditions in your old contract with the old owner.
You only find this out at the end of your contract when the new owners wave your old contract around and say "If you want your bonus and air ticket, you have to get it from the old owner." It DOES matter who owns the school now, but of course they don't want you to know that. Teachers getting screwed this way happens all the time.

If the change of your E-2 status isn't rectified at immigration and more importantly if you don't sign a new contract with the new owners, you are technically free to go work at another school as your old contact is null and void. That could actually be ok if you don't like your school.

Here is the number for the City Hall Immigration Office, (02) 732-6214..they speak English. Call them if you want to inform yourself and explain that you think your school has been sold but your school isn't being very transparent about the whole thing. Then talk to the new owners and lay it on the line with them: new contract honoring all the conditions of your old contract or you're outta there!

yangban · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 7:37 pm Post subject:

If the school has been sold, can they screw me on my monthly pay?

canuckistan · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 4:50 am Post subject:

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

You don't have to sign a new contract, at least I didn't. They should just honor the terms of your contract. (yeah, I know. fat chance, but it worked for me last year) New owner had to register with immigration, and I just contiued on the same contract.

I can't say how common this is, as I am only speaking about my own experience.

Cheers