Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shifdog]

My friend's boss told her she didn't have enough money to pay her salary for the month. Is there anything that can be done, or is it a total loss?

Time to quit?

[reactionary]

no payee, no workee. that simple. people take a lot of crap here, i've taken a lot of crap here. but being paid is a simple damn idea.

[The_Conservative]

[Fresh Prince]

Ya, I agree, it's time to call the labour board.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Call the Labor Board and find out what the options are. Simply not showing up for work is not an option.

[The Bobster]

1. Explain calmly that you have bills to pay, and that you will need at least some of what is owed to you because of automatic bank transfers for student loans or something else. Let your boss know that you will continue working, but only for a while (name some x number of weeks, one, two or three) until the balance is paid.

2. Produce a copy of a standard Letter of Release (search relevant topic threads on this or some other site) and let her know that she needs to sign it because you need to look for another place to work. Again, calmly explain that if she cannot pay you for your work you need to find someone who can. No threats, no anger, just practicality, just business.

3. Keep your word and continue to meet the obligations of your contract, and yes, let the Labor Board know what is going on, and how you are reacting to it. (If your boss refuses to authorize the LOR, file a formal complaint about that.)

The goal is for YOU to do everything right, and be able to show later on, if necessary, that all the improper behavior is on the other side.

Good luck.

[Tiger Beer]

[garykasparov]

LETTER OF RELEASE

Teacher Name:

Nationality:

Passport No.:

Address:

Telephone No.:

First Name Last Name has been working at Name of school from month day, year to month day, year in the position of Foreign English teacher. I, Director Name, consent to the above employee working for another English school or English academy.

Dated: month day, year

School Name:

Address of School:

School Telephone No.:

Employer Name:

Employee Signature:

Employer Signature:

/SEAL/

[Atavistic]

If this is for a school called K---&- and the boss is a woman with a name starting with K and ending with n, get the hell out NOW.

[garykasparov]

I've been there in your shoes before at one hagwon. I eventually had to go to the labour board over unpaid wages. Bear in mind you'll need proof of your unpaid wages. Does your boss provide you with payslips or deposit your monthly salary into your Korean bank account? The labour official will need something to verify your claim. If you don't have any proof then it will be your word against your employer's word. Your employer will most likely have the upper hand there.

[Whistleblower]

[oldfatfarang]

First rule of selling your labour: you MUST be paid for work done.

In Korea (and some other countries) it's your responsibility to ensure that you are being paid for your work. At my last hakwon I had to physically take my director to the bank on payday because in my last 4 months he "kept forgetting". My response was simple: "We go bank now - no pay - no teach".

Think about this logically. If you're the most important EARNING ASSET in this business - and you are not being paid - where are the tuition fees going? When can you expect to be paid for your work already performed? When can you expect to be paid for future work?

I've had experience as a debt collector. Businesses that can't pay their INCOME EARNING staff (or only part pay them) - are GOING broke. (This is not rocket science.)

Again, businesses that can't pay their utilities (electricity etc) ARE broke. Ask yourself - where will you be - and how much money will you have when the lights finally go out.

And, importantly, creditors (unpaid staff) who make the most fuss/noise WILL get paid - while those who continue working unpaid - invariably DON'T get paid.

You need to sit down and play hardball with your boss. Maybe you'll have to leave Korea to get another job - but do you want to leave here UNPAID. I guarantee you that your K employer CAN pay you - if you demand it.

Good luck. This is not a good situation to be in - but one all too common for Western teachers in Korea. Remember: "The squeaky wheel gets the oil."

PS: If they do pay - and you decide to keep working there (risky) then demand weekly pay from now on. It's better leaving being owed only 1 week's pay - than 4 week's pay.

[shifdog]

My friend is just going to leave and go back home. She doesn't want to spend months waiting for the Labor Board.

[Son Deureo!]

[shifdog]

She already set the deadline, and they refused to pay.

I would not recommend working here: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=1322653#1322653