Korean Job Discussion Forums

TheBrain · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab

Switching to rant mode-

Okay, I thought it only me that had problems with:
AC, OT pay, vacation scheduling, the constant questions like "Are you going to do a runner?" and "Are you going to lose weight?" and "Why aren't you married, yet?" but, alas, these are common problems. Does everyone get the same treatment?
"Everyone" says that in public school pay issues disappear. That's not true. Does everyone get the same runaround about OT pay? I just don't get it. It's not their money and it's not a profit-driven business, so why not just simply pay for the OT worked?

-rant completed

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

It's the Korean mentality not to pay for overtime worked. When I asked who was going to pay for O/T to attend a compulsory meeting about summer camp, my head teacher just said, "nobody, we don't worry about that".

So they started the meeting at 3pm - and it finished at 4.55 pm - and then 50 more mins of MY time to get home. A total of 2 hours unpaid O/T. Multiply 2 hours by 30 teachers - they saved approx. 60 hours of unpaid O/T because, 'it's not their way'. If I ran my business like that I couldn't get anyone to work for me. But this is Korea. We're servants - and they hold our visa.

Regarding the personal questions. Tell them to mind their own business, or better still, ask questions like: "When are you going to stop asking personal questions?"

The marriage one is always fun, I always say: "Why would I want to get married - I'm a playboy." They are thinking this anyway - but if you say this, it leaves Koreans flabbergasted. I gave up saying "I'm shy" (doesn't work as well as the playboy one).

?

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

shinchon-man · Joined: 25 Jun 2007

They didnt want to pay me OT either. The contract is for 22 hours a week. They scheduled 24 hours a week. So, I was thinking that I was going to get 2 hours of OT a week. No. If they cancelled a class, then they didnt want to pay me. I reasoned with them(a hard thing to do with Koreans) and said that if I am at work for a regularly scheduled class then you will pay for for that class. I am present and have prepared and am ready for the class. They disagreed. Then I said, ok, which 2 classes are the overtime classes. They need to be designated. Lets say 5th period on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No. If They cancel a class, I dont get paid. I went over their heads and the word came down that I was right. If a class is cancelled while I am at school, I will still get OT for that week. But if there is a holiday in that week, I get no OT. There is nothing in the contract about OT other than how much they pay you for it. This gives them carte blanche to do whatever they want.

"It's not their money and it's not a profit-driven business, so why not just simply pay for the OT worked?"

Give the foreigner more money than they should be allowed. No F'ing way. Even if it is not their money.

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

Not to trying and be a PS apple polisher - only want to add information to the discussion. But, I am always trying to figure out why I have extra money deposited in my bank account.

My regular class load is around 17 classes per week�.my contract calls for 22 -24 (I don�t remember the exact number). If I have extra classes (7th period which is still within regular working hours by my contract) I am still paid extra (300K for twenty 45 minute classes). This kind of thing happens all the time.

As for personal questions, yeah of course I get them��just let it roll like water off a duck�s back.

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

Alyallen · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 10:24 pm Post subject:

At my school, I get paid to the won for everything.

It's pure luck. Some place are horrid and some are great. Just like hogwons...sigh....

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

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

Sody · Joined: 14 May 2006

I too work at a PS and have the standard contract of 22 hrs/week. I usually work one or two hours of overtime each week but if any classes are cancelled then I don't get any overtime pay. I always assumed that was the way it worked in a PS. I am also paid late often, but I do get my pay for sure. It still sucks but it's way better than a hagwon.

Sody

Colorado · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 4:15 pm Post subject:

The one time I was paid late at my PS, my co-teacher apologized and said she had forgotten to do the paperwork. I didn't make a big deal out of it and it hasn't happened again.
So maybe your co-teacher is forgetful.

I teach 17 regular classes and 8 extra (after-hours) classes per week. My contract is for 22 hours, so I earn 3 hours of overtime per week, as long as I actually teach the extra classes. Overtime is paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. If I miss an extra class, I have to teach a make up class. However, If one of my regular classes is canceled, that doesn't affect my overtime.

Colorado · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Public school OT questions

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

I am never surprised at some of the questions asked by Koreans because they really do not feel like they are intruding in any way...

As for the OT, I am guessing everyone has a story to tell, but I can say that my school (public) has paid me with no problem...It depends on the circumstances of your employment and the wording in your contract ...Some employers will try to take advantage of whatever they can get by with, so you must be proactive in providing questions for things that are not clearly delineated in the contract such as OT...If it is too late, then you may be swimming against a current you are not going to overcome...

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