Korean Job Discussion Forums

Starperson · Joined: 23 Mar 2003

Please help me understand.

Is this the way it works here?
No matter how long you spend at work, you're only ever paid for the time that you're actually teaching a class?

maxxx_power · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Location: BWAHAHAHAHA! I'M FREE!!!!!!!

This is the main reason I gave notice at my current Hogwan (among a host of others). Read the contract carefully, a teaching hour may mean 60 minutes, split up however the director may choose.

I only teach 6 hours each day, but am onsite from 9am to 7:20 every day!

Needless to say I'm choosing my next contract carefully.

Starperson · Joined: 23 Mar 2003

Ten hours for six hours pay seems ridiculous. But is it the way things generally work here in Korea, or is it a bad deal?

Should I expect to be working at least a couple of hours unpaid per day?

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2003 2:44 am Post subject:

That's a bad deal that maxxx got, but, like he said, you do gotta be careful and whatnot.

Starperson · Joined: 23 Mar 2003

Yes. But (and I'm trying to convey a sense of urgency and immediacy here) what would you consider a reasonable amount of overtime? Say you teach five 40-50 minute classes per day, how many hours unpaid overtime is acceptable?
And how do you tell your employer before you sign the contract, "I'm not doing more than ... hours overtime."

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2003 3:20 am Post subject:

It's not called overtime. It's called planning time. Or split shifts, with you not allowed to leave the premises. You basically have to ask your intended boss how many hours you're expected to be physically present. If it sounds unreasonable, don't even think twice about it.

I wouldn't accept more than 1 hour of planning time, myself...for hakwon work, anyways. But some places might genuinely require more.

Overtime is a whole new matter. That's based on classes, more or less. You'll most likely never be paid for planning time, and it definitely won't go towards any overtime potential.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Starperson · Joined: 23 Mar 2003

Right. Thanks for the helpful comments. Planning time is not the same as overtime. Got it.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

South Korea Worst in Labor Relations

South Korea's labor-management relationship is one of the worst in the world, according to the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) of Switzerland.

According to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2003 released last month, South Korea received the lowest 3.55 points among 30 countries with populations of more than 20 million in terms of labor-management relations.

The low score indicates that labor-management relations here are hostile and confrontational rather than productive and cooperative.

South Korea had the worst case of legal discrimination against foreign companies, indicating the country's poor investment environment.

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200306/kt2003062718352011900.htm

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I think what a lot of people dont get is that the salary pays for a fulltime job & class hours constitute a portion of that. You cant teach well with zero prep. Youre hired to do a job.

Starperson · Joined: 23 Mar 2003

I guess it's the same with a teaching job back home, you've usually got to at least do some preparation outside of working hours.

I guess when you look at it as a full-time job, it's only fair that you put in the exra hours preparation, which aren't really extra at all. I think it's just the way that it's all presented that's confusing and slightly annoying at first.

My first experience showed me that it may not be the best thing to be completely frank in talking about hours and pay. I think the art of conversation and 'buttering up' plays a big part here.