Korean Job Discussion Forums

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

The boss has been a late payer the past 2 months and looks like again this month. He doesn't say anything. In fact, he seems to dodge the workers. But when we razz him he comes across a week or two after what was supposed to be payday. I've told him I want to leave the job anyway, but not leave him without a replacement, as he is a decent guy. I'm just feeling I will perhaps get burned on a week or two of pay.

Zark · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 3:47 pm Post subject:

A difficult issue at best.

A good friend has worked at a hogwan where the guy consistently plays such games. But, she likes everything else about the school (the schedule, the kids, the non-interference) and over a couple years the guy does always come through at the end of the contract. And, otherwise, a nice and decent guy. She just doesn't want to trade the good parts in - to get rid of the one bad part.

Guess it's a toss up - do you know his history over time? Does he always come through - or has he shorted people in the past? That's the real decision maker - I would think (if everything else is fine).

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

jajdude he is not a 'decent' guy
if he was he would be on time with the pay.
sticking around so he can screw over the next FT to come along is wrong.
get your cash, blacklist his ass and leave.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Has anyone ever tried to just show up to work, but sit in the lobby and wait ? You come to work, but won't work because you haven't been paid.

Hmm...

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

PolyChronic Time Girl · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Location: Korea Exited

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Once a guy gave me and another guy 500,000 won for the visa run deal, then withheld it from the next pay. We said, no! and refused to work. He paid us but with a grudge, like we were greedy. Shocked

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Bozo Yoroshiku · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 12:59 am Post subject:

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I've been going throught the same thing. I suspect this is the latest tactic that hagwan owners are using. It seems to be a common story.

What did I do? I got one of my adult students (who happens to be older than the boss) to sit down with us and talk about it.

At least that was my plan.............

however it quickly turned into an all Korean shouting match with everyone pointing fingers and screaming.

The boss was shamed, but he was also very angry at me. Embarassed

I didn't want to start a war, I only wanted to work out some kind of payment schedule we could all live with.

I did manage to get 2 of the 3 months back wages that I was owed. Still waiting for the last month's pay. I was supposed to leave last Friday, but since they couldn't find a replacement I agreed to stay on a few more days.

It is kind of the same situation. Aside from pay, I have had a really nice working relationship here. I am not going to force the issue as I know that he is hurting. There really aren't enough students. Other teachers who have quit have had to wait for their pay as well, but he always seems to pay eventually.

I don't know if this helps, but all I can suggest is that you try and contact previous teachers, see if they eventually got paid or not.

If I ever have to go through this again, I will just quit and do a runner.
It's just not worth the mental anguish. (even if you do eventually get paid) Shocked

PolyChronic Time Girl · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Location: Korea Exited

Why shouldn't we blacklist an asshole Korean boss. The whole world (or the microcosm of ESL teacher in Korea) should know the truth. I got screwed by my last hagwon and my very, VERY angry Korean husband is very determined to construct a whole hate web page about the hagwon and wants to warn any potential students not to waste their money there, (because the director wants to open the hagwon again and get new "fresh" meat teachers who don't know what he did). If he does that, my husband said he'll personally see to it that his business goes down.
If he does get away and opens the hagwon and I dont' get my final pay...I'm gonna blacklist his a** all over the place.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

AMEN! PCTG!

I really wonder about the mindset of people who put up with being screwed over and then have the wherewithall to say 'he is a good guy'

If there is a hogwan that doesnt pay on time...leave! Report them to the labour board for violation of contract. 3 months behind in pay Shocked

What is wrong with you? If the business you are working for is more than a day or two late with your pay cite them for violation of contract, demand a letter of release and move on to greener pastures!

Blows my mind that people will continue working while the ship goes down.

Your boss is a nice guy so freakin what! He is behind in his bills? Sorry not my problem! He is late paying because he didnt budget? Not my freakin problem! He didnt get to the bank on time? Again not my problem!

Here is a heads up...nice people dont steal your money Exclamation

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Pardon my lack of clarity. He was late the past two months, by a week or two each time, but I was paid for those months.

Naturally the other teachers are not pleased with the lateness either. Before March he was always on time.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Yes it is. If he cannot afford to pay his teachers on time then anyone else applying to his hogwan should be warned. Why subject someone else to his shoddy business practices...why should someone else have to put up with late pay? Being stuck in a foreign country with no cash..late pay is stressful.

If he did it to you he will do it to others.
I understand your point of being stuck and having to wait for your money