Korean Job Discussion Forums

[joonhashin]

I've been working at my school for one month now and I was supposed to be paid last Thursday (20th). I was supposed to get my reimbursement for my airfare (around 1.4 mil won) along with my very first paycheck for 2.1 mil won, at least that's what I thought. Turns out my boss had only planned to pay me about 0.78 mil won instead for my first paycheck. She proceeded to explain why this was the case by explaining a rather complex payment system and I'll explain that later if anyone cares, once I explain the bigger problem first.

The biggest issue for me right now is the fact that she ended up not paying me at all on Thursday or Friday because she told me that "things are rough" right now and that she does not have the money to pay me. She apologized and told me that it hurts her pride to not pay me on time and told me that she would pay me "as soon as she can". The initial shock of hearing that my first paycheck will be delayed left me feeling quite docile. I didn't have much of a reaction other than saying "Okay" and just going along with the rest of my day.

Now that few days have passed and I've had some time to really think about this situation of mine, I'm starting to feel a little angry and a little scared. I'm angry because, well, I've already been living on borrowed money from my parents for the past month and I've started running low on cash two weeks ago. I was looking forward to receiving a big fat paycheck in order to feel some financial stability and go shopping for some decent clothes (I packed pretty light when I came here).

I'm scared because as of now, there's not that much assurance that this school's financial situation is going to improve in the near future. The boss keeps saying that it'll just be tough for a little while and things will get better but honestly, this school's been losing students left and right. I was told that at one point (and this may have been few years ago) it had 400 students, yet when I first arrived, I was told that number has dropped to 120. I've recently found out that that number is closer to 100 now.

TL;DR: Been here for over a month and still haven't been paid. Told by boss that school is going through some "rough times" and can't promise an exact date on when I'll be paid. Things don't look very good for this school. What is the best course of action?

All advice, whether good or bad, is appreciated. Much thanks in advance.

[CentralCali]

Option 1: Get on an airplane and leave. Your boss is broke and you will never see a single 10 won from her. This will entail borrowing more money from your family, I'm afraid.

Option 2: Tell the boss that she needs to give you a release letter right now and you change your visa to D-10 (if eligible at this early into your first contract). Inform her that you cannot work for free and you flat don't believe she will ever pay you. Sadly, this will also entail borrowing money from your family.

That whole thing about the complex repayment system is pure malarkey on the boss's part. If your contract said she's to reimburse you, then she's to reimburse you in full as stated in the contract. The reason she's giving you that line is because, again, she's broke. You will not see your salary and you will not see your airfare reimbursement.

[viciousdinosaur]

Deducing from his name I'm guessing he has an F4 visa. Here's what you should know. Bosses that pay late always pay late and it never gets any better.

[CentralCali]

Good point. Let me add one option, then.

Option 3: If you're on an F-series visa, tell the boss that she pays you in full now what she owes you or you're out the door like the wind. Let her know that if she wants to avoid that, she pays you now.

I agree with viciousdinosaur, though. Bosses that pay late, do so for a reason: they're broke. Some are less broke than others. The less broke ones are the bosses who actually pay, but pay late. The truly broke bosses are the ones that sound like the OP's boss.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Weigookin74]

Why is it your problem? Tell her to go to the bank and get a loan to pay you. Don't teach any more classes until you get paid. But go to work and sit there. Also, go to the labor board.

[YTMND]

I don't know, it doesn't seem that bad. If you really are on an F visa and there aren't enough students, aren't you allowed to teach at multiple schools (at least easier than an E2 visa holder)?

Work out a schedule which represents the pay she is giving, and then use the other time teaching part-time with another school. You might find yourself making more because the second school doesn't have to pay for your apartment expenses and pension.

[joonhashin]

OP here. Yes, I'm a gyopo and yes I have an F4 visa.

I spoke with my recruiter right after I posted this and it turns out that my boss has not paid the recruiting fees to my recruiter as well. My recruiter told me that she is going to ask HER boss to speak with MY boss and figure out what is going on and what my boss is planning to do about this situation. There is one other foreign teacher (American) in my hagwon and it seems he was only paid half his paycheck and still has not received his full paycheck after a week or so.

So yes, by now, I don't think it's a secret that she is broke and she's completely dependent on the possibility of getting more business in the near future in order pay her employees in full or go bankrupt.

[YTMND]

[joonhashin]

[nora]

Why did you come here in the first place?

If you came simply to teach and hang around for a year or so and things aren't working out, sure, get back to Canada, no harm no foul.

If you wanted to stay a bit longer and actually see what's about here, then toughen up a bit and keep trying. We've ALL had our share of crappy jobs, some more than others. Like others have pointed out, Korea is your oyster with the F series visa.

Get looking, find a new job. Being in country is good for you, easier to find a place that is decent. You can go check it out in person and get a feel for it, plus they can see you and be assured that you're not some whacked out dope fiend or something.

Couple points here. Be prepared to eat the cost of the plane ticket. You're here in country so most places aren't going to give you that - one of the benefits to them of hiring within Korea. You can still fight for it from your current boss - she brought you over, its in your contract BUT, you can't get blood from a stone. If she's broke, the best you can do is file your claim with the labor board/court and let things work out. There are so many variables though. If you aren't working there, did you break the contract? If she's never paid you, did she break it? Honestly, on that issue, your best bet is to talk to the labor board/seoul global center. You need to work, but you don't want to do something that will forfeit your rights, even if the odds of you getting your plane money are next to nothing.

Anyway, chin up, eyes open. You can find something.

[zombiedog]

From time to time I find myself in the same situation with my current boss. She says she doesn't have the money, and I say, "I don't feel comfortable working unless i get paid." She asks me if i will come in to work. I say "Only if you pay me." She freaks out a little, and a few minutes later i get a text message saying that the money has been transferred.

Bottom line, it's a terrible situation, and like so many others my eyes are always open for an exit opportunity.

[CentralCali]

[matthews_world]

I imagine that your boss is playing the 'we're Korean' card with you as in Korean culture it is customary for Korean employees to accept that a company is having financial difficulties and they should do their best to ensure profitability.

It's always good to have a backup plan when you come over for the first time - credit card, extra money in the bank, a round trip ticket, a rich Korean girlfriend or boyfriend to shack up with,,,etc.

[blm]

I just want to point out that if you start looking for another job don't just rely on your existing recruiter, go and get some new ones.

They probably have a vested interest in you staying at your current job long enough for them to collect a fee.