Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Vollrath]

First, my school is a Kidsclub Funlanguages school which obviously I've seen enough bad reports of, but unfortunately I didn't have the sense to log into this site BEFORE I signed my contract (provided by kindly David Kang from Omega). Anyway, my school sucks (needless to say) and I kinda have a few questions about when I leave.

I'm going to stick it out until my one year is finished, and the director said she'd pay me my severance, so no problems there. Income tax is a problem, though. I have never been deducted income taxes, nor have I ever recieved a pay stub. I'm THINK with a high degree of probablility that the school does some shifty dealings with taxes (i.e. pays less than they should, declares that the students pay more than they do, etc...) and when I leave, my boss says that she's going to withhold money "for income taxes". Thats a whole year's worth of taxes she's just going to pocket. She's already been in trouble before with immigration (she lied about the last teachers that worked there--she said they did a midnite run when in fact they were involved in a fight months after they were fired--she paid a fine of 2 million won). The more I know about this place, the happier I am that I only have 4 months left. But what about the taxes? I WOULD have paid taxes if she did it legitimately and everything, but she's just trying to get out of paying me in full. So bottom line: if I have to fight her for it, who is responsible for paying here, the school or me? I mean, this is my first time teaching, I've obviously been taken advantage of, blah blah blah.. Who will immigration favor here? If it comes down to a fight and I have to involve authorities, I think SHE should have to pay.. Anyway, the other thing is the witholding of money for bills or whatever: WHATS UP WITH THAT? She wants to keep 400,000 won for "security" and says she'll wire it to me when I'm back home and she's sure I didn't stiff her with any unpaid bills. Well, I pride myself of paying bills in full every month like clockwork and I think this is just another scam of hers (although I know this is done by other schools). I just don't trust her to follow through with her end of the deal (she barely ever pays me on time as it is). Should I also insist on just getting my FULL pay and FULL severance and get outta dodge? Any advice would be useful..

[Gord]

[Dude Love]

I don't know about the legal aspect. I wouldn't rock the boat for fear of losing my bonus. Hope for the best but in the meantime, get all of your students' email addresses. If you have problems, you can always threaten your boss with emailing your students and informimng them of your boss' dishonesty.

[Vollrath]

[Vollrath]

Sorry for the disjointed rant above.

Okay, basically I just want to know what happens when my school doesn't deduct taxes (I have accordingly not recieved medical insurance promised to me in the contract). First, is it a breach of contract, and second, who is responsible, the school or the teacher (for the backlog of taxes--my director wants me to pay them ALL at the end of my 12 months)?

Thanks

[Gord]

[gajackson1]

Taxes like that are the primary responsibility of the school. They laid it out (I am pretty sure) in your contract. You were under the presumption that part of your deductions each month were put towards paying those taxes. The tax office is much more likely to believe you than them. (see below)

The advice I will give you I gave to others before - it probably would have come up in a search for taxes on this board.

Take your immigration/ID card to the local tax office, and ask for a copy of your paid taxes.

It will show what the school is reporting your salary as, and what should have already been paid on your behalf (a copy of this record is like 1,500 won, and worth its weight in platinum) in taxes.

The, you will know for sure. You can take whatever you believe to be appropriate steps from there - blackmail, legal action, settlement, etc.

Regards,

Glen

PS ~ if there are other foreign teachers at your school, by all means do this as a group. If you hit a big snag, get thee hence to www.efl-law.com

[Vollrath]

They aren't taking your money, they're taking money owed to the government.[/quote]

Gord, they're not GIVING it to the government though.. I'm not going to give them money so they can just pocket it... How messy would it be to just fight them over this?

[Vollrath]

gajackson thanks for the tax tip.. I didn't know about the offices.. any chance anyone knows the korean name for it?

this should help solve a lot of problems I'm having..

Vollrath

[Austin]

Why are you so concerned as to whether they are going to pay your taxes with the money or not?

Regardless, it would not have been yours to keep.

I have always championed the importance of a healthy relationship with your employer. Undoubtedly, you do not have one, as you stated that you "do not trust her." Truth be told, all bets are off then.

In the future, if you focus on fostering a healthy relationship with your boss, you will not have to talk about money issues the way you have with your current employer.

Can you imagine how you are coming across to her with your comments on money issues?

The fact that she is keeping a certain amount of money for bills is to be expected, if the utilities are not in your name. Moreover, it serves to prove that neither of you have any trust for the other, and that would be the most disturbing aspect if it were me.

In the next four months, I would never mention money to your boss again and instead focus on doing an excellent job teaching and helping her to build her business. In my experience (for what that is worth), you will have more success on that path.

Whatever you decide, please know, that if your boss wants to stick it to you, she will, and that is why I view fostering a healthy relationship as better than taking legal action. If she feels that you have her school's best interest at heart, she will more than likely share in your best interests as well,

SCSA

[Mosley]

Vollrath, ignore Austin's "advice". He's only a step away from suggesting that foreigners should come over here, take cr*** and abuse and PAY the employers for the privilege.

[Gord]

[hellofaniceguy]

First off, taxes are 3.5% for hokwon teachers. That's the info from the tax office. If the school wants to take the entire amount at one time, tell them you want a receipt and you will also file for a tax refund from the local tax office. Call their bluff! Schools charge sometimes 5, 6 and 7% for taxes because foreigners don't know anybetter. You don't need to pay into the unemployment insurance; you'll never collect any in korea!
The school is not the problem; it's the school owner who is a snake in the grass. As most are.
No one can use you unless you let them.
I suppose getting your severance pay is commendable; but then yu turn around and pay taxes! I'll be willing to bet that the money she withholds from you never reachers the tax office! If she were on the up and up, she would be withholding taxes each month.

[Gord]

[Mosley]

Well, Captain Gord, you and Austin(SCSA) are joined at the hip, aren't you? To see how well-regarded your buddy is, look at the "EPIK...the Dismal Swamp" thread.