Korean Job Discussion Forums

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Christ. I'm applying for new jobs at the moment and I've noticed that more than ever before schools are asking for security depositis between 600,000 - 900,000 Won to be deducted from salary in first three months.

Even GEPIK are doing this now. Even public schools!

What does this say about the relationships between teachers and employers in this country for them to have to essentially bully and blackmail us into staying at their schools...?

I'm going to add this to my list of things that are better in Japan...

If it wasn't for the money...

Confused

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

I personally see no problem with the 900,000 I'm paying at GEPIK. In my eyes it's a damage deposit which I would expect to pay in any country.

It's not a lot of money and it's taken out in installments so I don't notice it.

Effectively money in the bank.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

bosintang · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:32 pm Post subject:

Really, the only big question is why aren't *more* schools asking for a damage deposit?

I think a wise move for public schools would be to distance themselves from teachers as much as possible. They should still help teachers set up housing, but do so using a 3rd party. Schools should provide key money, but rent should not be included in salary.

The company I worked for in Japan did exactly this ( I had to pay a month's rent as a deposit, and it cost me that to break my lease.)

Ultimately, the foreign teacher choosing and being responsible for their housing would be better for both parties.

I also wonder when, if ever, schools will start reimbursing airfare at 6month mark or end of contract rather than in the beginning.

shifdog · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

A deposit isn't a bad idea. Unfortunately they are imposed for the wrong reasons. The purpose of a deposit is to cover damages or someone skipping out on rent. In Korea it's used by school's to penalize teachers who leave their job early.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

I have no problem with providing deposits for housing.

That is not the issue here and the experinced among you will know that.

How many of you really believe that if you don't finish the contract you'll get that money back...?

I'd like to be so naive, but experience here has shown me otherwise.

Does anyone know if I were to start a job with EPIK and for whatever reason did not complete the full 12 months -would that 900,000 Won deposit be returned.

Is it simply a housing deposit not linked in anyway to your completing the contract...?

I say this as a friend of mine quit his hakwan job after 6 months and his 'security' deposit was witheld.

I wouldn't EXPECT, yet wouldn't be SURPRISED if a public school did the same....

Anyone got any stories...? I'm going to apply with GEPIK and SEPIK but am wary about the deposit....

The_Conservative · Joined: 15 Mar 2007

bosintang · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject:

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

From what I know. I could be wrong. As long as you leave your job with thr right amount of notice everything will be fine. Maybe you will lose it if you leave before you have completed six months so that they get their airfare back.

I'm comfortable with the situation. I don't see it as runner security. Then I am confident in my ability to stick it out in a job for a year.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

If you terminate early they can keep your bonus money.

And they don't have to pay your return airfare.

And if they are smart they have held your initial airfare for 6 months.

This should be more than adequate security.

cbc

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Well, it sucks in some respects, but look at it this way;

if you worked at a hagwan, you may have a lot more to worry about than just getting your deposit back. You may get shafted out of a month or more's wages + you probably won't get health insurance + you probably won't get your pension paid etc.

At least with the public school jobs, you know you will get paid on time and there is a very good likelihood of getting your deposit back at the end of your contract.

With a hagwan, you never know.

Anyway, good luck.

merkurix · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Location: Not far from the deep end.

I want to agree with the OP. Instead of penalties, there should be more incentives to stay on. At one place I worked at, they didn't skim your paychecks for three months, but they did have a ton of cash bonuses available for the completion of a one year contract, which included severance pay, completion bonus, and unused sick pay (as well as getting double your pension deductions back if you return to your country). There was just to much cash to be had at the end to want to quit, and if you quit, no sweat off your back--at least there was no financial penalties out of your pocket. I say carrots, not sanctions.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

This is the same argument that goes around and around in circles.

I say it's not a penalty it's a security deposit on the apartment.

He says it is cause it means he can't run.

There you go

Argument finished

Thread closed