Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sho]

Hey! I'm newish here. My school deposited my first paycheck (on time:)) and the amount seems appropriate. They didn't give me a pay slip/stub, and I had to specifically ask for one. I was just wondering if this is the norm, or if schools generally give them to their teachers?

Also, I got a full month's salary even though I've only been here two weeks. My co-teacher explained that it was because it's not an hourly position. That sounds pretty sweet to me, but I don't think it's in the contract. Anyone have any experience with this? Will I not get paid for my final two weeks at the end? (I know I'll get severance). I'm just trying to figure everything out, it doesn't seem like a bad deal.

Also, my pay slip is unsigned and in Korean. (Co-teacher scribbled on translations for me). Will I eventually need it in the long run for something (can't think of anything, but you know how the IRS is), and if so do you think this will be a problem?

Oh, and I thought it would be awesome to learn how to say "I can understand you" in Korean just to startle people. If anyone knows how, that'd be awesome (I don't really trust google translate:P)

thanks!

[nathanrutledge]

Generally, teachers get their payslips online these days. My first school was just transitioning over to that system, and my second school was fully on that system. Stay on them about the pay slips. Go to the head office every pay day and ask for your slip.

A couple of notes on this though. From what I've been told, most Koreans wouldn't do that, so it is kind of rude. BUT, if you simply tell them you need it for tax purposes, they're cool with it. They might set you up on the computer system, but I doubt it.

Also, you shouldn't be getting a full months pay for only two weeks. You might have gotten your airfare reimbursement? Your settlement allowance? But if it's the full month, be ready for them to come back and say "we screwed up, so you're only getting HALF your pay the next month to even it out." The public schools will NOT screw you, but they DO make mistakes and if it's in your favor, they will fix it. If it's in THEIR favor, you have to nudge and poke and prod, but generally they'll fix it, too.

Unsigned payslip is fine. In Korean should be fine, too. Get a dictionary, translate it out. They should all say the same thing anyway, but if there is some new line you don't know, simply ask your co teacher.

You really shouldn't need it for the IRS other than to report your income on the 2555 form at the end of the year.

I'll tell you how to say "i understand you," but you should know, that if you start saying that, people will think you do understand them and then will speak to you in korean, then they'll get pissed when you don't understand them. Also, if you think it's a good idea to say that to someone when you think they are bad mouthing you, when they figure out you don't know what they're saying, they'll continue doing it, but more likely to your face with a smile, because you don't know what they are saying.

That being said....

all (are) eye yo.

If you know anything about Korean, the R and L sounds are very weak, liquid sounds, so it depends on who says it, but you can say "All Eye yo" or "Are eye yo". I aim for something in the middle. This does NOT mean literally "I understand you." It is the positive form of the verb which translates roughly to "to know". You are saying "(I) understand" with this. If you use a question tone, you are asking someone "(do you) understand?"

Good luck with that.

[sho]

[schwa]

Public schools pay by the calendar month & your pay on payday reflects your salary through till the end of the month, ie you're getting a portion in advance. Did you start march 2nd? Then its normal.

[cheolsu]

Being paid early is normal, yes. Having paystubs will not cause any problems, while not having them can cause problems at school and with the tax office both here and at home.

"I understand" in Korean can be said in a few different ways depending on what you mean. If you want to say that you understood what somebody just said (e.g. a joke they didn't think you got):

are-ah-duh-raw-saw-yo

If you just want to say "I know", as in "I know that it's cold outside":

ah-ra-yo

If you want to say "yes, I understand" in the way a waiter speaks to a customer, or a subordinate speaks to a superior at work:

ahl-gaess-seum-ni-da

The last one, you will hear a lot, actually. It's also the most formal way to speak, unlikely to offend even if misused.