Korean Job Discussion Forums

trippin4redemption · Joined: 11 Mar 2007

So I've got two months left to run on my hagwon contract (this is my first time in Korea), and come to find out that my director hasn't been paying my pension tax or that of the two other foreign teachers at my school. I also think that my odds of getting severance aren't very high (met a girl who used to work in the same place that said she got stiffed on that, but didn't have the heart to take him to the labor board). Part of me thinks I should just bail now, but I'd also like to see this thing through, since I'm close to the end and I am getting paid each month. Plus completing the contract might be put me on firmer legal ground if I do have to go to the labor board. Just wanted to throw this out there and see what you guys thought, as I'm sure some of you have been in a similar situation. Thanks.

CasperTheFriendlyGhost · Joined: 28 Feb 2007

I'm pretty sure that many, many hawkwons do their business as off-the-books as possible. Are you being deducted for pension payments? If so, bail now. If not, you may or may not get your severance. Question: Do you plan to stay in korea for another year?

trippin4redemption · Joined: 11 Mar 2007

Well, I get about 100,00 won taken out of my check each month that I thought was going to the pension office. Of course, my "pay stub" is usually given to me on a Word document, so I should've figured that was dodgy enough. But my boss has actually been pretty cool to me, and to this point, I didn't figure it was worth making an issue of.

I forgot to mention, one of my other co-teachers went and confronted him about this (after calling the pension office) and he claims that he hasn't paid because he won't receive the "forms" until a month or two before our visas expire; his argument seems to be that he only has to pay in a lump-sum once a year and hasn't gotten around to it yet. Sounds sketchy to me (especially since I'm getting money deducted each month!), but maybe that's the way they do business here.

I also do plan on coming back to Korea, although I won't work at a hagwon again unless I absolutely have to. Actually was thinking about coming back this fall and taking a language class at Sogang University. So at least I'd be back in the country if I have to take legal action. Rolling Eyes

TheBrain · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab

I've read enough about all of this to offer some advice.
Don't bail. You have time to get this done before you would leave. Have you been to the pension office? You need to go with your pay stubs. Also, stop by the tax office just to make sure that your taxes have been paid to the government. Also, that sends the message that you are serious about following through. Do you have all of your pay stubs? Make copies of everything and keep them in a safe place (NOT your apartment).Make sure your passport,diploma, and valuables are in a safe place.You can talk to the other teachers at your school about the problem, but do NOT trust them with your documents.

CasperTheFriendlyGhost · Joined: 28 Feb 2007

So the guy stole a million won from you and you're asking if you should keep working for him?

Absolutely not. Stop immediately and call the authorities. Your visa expires in two months anyways.

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 3:27 am Post subject:

If pension is your only problem, than don't worry. You can force him to pay is after you leave. Just make sure you sock away your 4.5% portion to pay up. Once you pay your portion, pension goes after the school for their portion. He can't get around it. The pension office is the one office you don't screw around with (most schools are not afraid of the labor board for good reason, but the pension office is a whole other kettle o'fish)..

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Force him to pay now. Keep working there and call the pension office again. Did they have you registered at the pension office? If so, should be easy enough to get it.

Really.

Just say to him, "You should've been paying that each month? That's a lot of money. You can't keep that." Really get on his case. Go to the pension office. Bug him about it. Stand there in front of him and inisit that it be paid or you're not going to class. Say to him, "PAY IT!!!"

Don't quit though. Every time you see him, "Did you pay them yet? I'm waiting. Can't keep it" Every fking time. Get that money and get your severence.

Yell at him and tell him that he better not be thinking about keeping your severence, too. Say, "DON'T YOU FKING TRY AND CHEAT ME, YOU FKER!!!"

Seriously. Got to take out the mitts.

Other people, like ianinilsan didn't go about it the right way. You have to get that money now or it'll be a headache. You really have to threaten these people and be super confrontational and aggressive.

When it comes right down to it, I would go as far as saying, "Do you want me to kick your fking ass right here you fk!! Give me my fking money!!!"

Really.

ontheway · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:29 am Post subject:

OP:

Do you have income taxes withheld from your pay?

If so, how much?

Do you have a health insurance booklet?

Is the health insurance tax being withheld from your pay?

If so, how much?

Your boss is probably trying to keep as much of his operation as possible in the underground economy. The right approach you should take depends upon the answers to those questions. Operating partly underground is the norm in Korea. It may be different from what some posters here are used to, but you cannot change that reality. Your goal should be to get the best outcome for you by getting your pension money back, matched if possible either through the pension office or from your boss.

TOMODACHI-KID · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject:

Take care of that pension problem as soon as you can! Just remember if crap has already started smelling, so to speak, be ready to expect more of the unexpected from your director at the the school you work for. This is how "they" work in Korea--bit by bit, they will try to break you, usually through monetary aspects.

I hope things work out for you, really...

Take care.

GALOSHES Embarassed

trippin4redemption · Joined: 11 Mar 2007

Thanks for the advice, guys...I'll probably just stick it out for the rest of my contract and follow up with the pension office. I'm on record there (and I know my health insurance is valid, since I've been to the doctor's a couple of times without a problem), and now that my director knows that we know he hasn't been paying our pension, he can either pay it now or get stuck with a fine, and then pay. I'll get the money one way or another, and ince I'm still getting paid my regular salary, it does seem pointless to bail out now. Kind of a drag to find out that my boss hasn't been honest with me, but that's life at a hagwon, no? Ahh, the things this year has taught me...

The Hierophant · Joined: 13 Sep 2005

I'm assuming you're North American, yes? If not then I wouldn't even bother about the pension. I'm a Kiwi and my boss doesn't pay into my pension, that suits me just fine because I wouldn't get it back anyway. Money down the drain...