Korean Job Discussion Forums

[greatunknown]

Well I am officially finished with this place as of this coming Tuesday. I have sorted out most of the issues with my director (in case those of you familiar with my situation were curious), but now I need to talk to him about my final pay and all of that good stuff.

My plan was to just speak with him on Friday, let him know I am expecting to be paid my final month salary + bonus the following Tuesday, shaking his hand and that would be that. Is this a good plan?

I have accepted another job that begins July 16 at an academy in Bucheon. So one thing I was wondering about is the airfare I am owed. My contract simply states that I will be getting a ticket to my home country when I complete the year. Should I ask for a bonus instead? I will be travelling in S.E. Asia in July would it be unreasonable to ask for airfare to another country? Despite the fact that my boss has treated me horridly on several occasions throughout the year, he did give me a good reference and is aware I will be working at another academy (in case it matters)

As always, any advice would be appreciated.

[luckylady]

the sooner you discuss these things the less chance you have of being surprised and potentially disappointed.

airfare: get a couple of quotes off the internet and hand them to your boss; say you'd appreciate cash instead of a tkt if that's ok. to facilitate this, bargain down - the fare is 1,000,000 won, say you'll accept 750,000 or such. I've done this and it works well.

in the alternative, you can offer your own travel agent to your director, who will book you a refundable flight. I've also done this w/o incident.

it's no one's business where you are going afterwards; you are owed a tkt and that's what you should be compensated for. leave out discussion of your plans, it only aggravates the situation that you are leaving the school and don't plan to return.

severance: your hakwon has 2 weeks to pay after you finish. I've always been paid before then but know others who had to wait. you can just ask what the procedure is because you have to make wire transfers and prefer doing them as one since there are charges, etc., is a good way to bring it up.

you might ask about utility bills, etc. and how they are to be handled for your housing in case this is brought up as a delay tactic. fyi, utility companies can issue bills w/i 24 hr notice so it shouldn't matter.

good luck and happy travels.

[PRagic]

This sent up some red flags: "...let him know I am expecting..."

You're not in Kansas anymore so remember that this is a hierarchal society. And by that I mean that you're not on the same rung of the ol' corporate ladder as your boss. Phrasing your request in this way, unless he is a remarkably open minded and cross-culturally savvy dude, will more than likely make him more disinclined to make your departure a smooth process.

ASK. It's always the best way to go about things, especially when it hasn't turned into a pissing contest just yet. Luckylady raises some of the bases to be covered. In the end, it's all about feelings and face. Repeat the mantra.

[dartimos]

Form it as a question. "Can I expect my money to be deposited in the bank, or given to me in cash?"