Korean Job Discussion Forums

[newintown]

has anyone here successfully negotiated more money half way through their contract?
in short, i work my ass off in school. we have big classes, a constant flow of new students, thus muchos photocopying of books.
in addition, i have to prepare between 50-60 report cards a month, which is such a ballache.
we have new teachers due, and i know for a fact they're gettin 350 000 more than me (no experience, i think they just had the bollox to ask), which has made me think maybe i should bite the bullet.
in truth, they've treated us appallingly to date, so i'm not sure how this cold pan out.
any tips/advice, or am chasing a dream?

[Scotticus]

I've never tried it myself, but the general rule is: you've got a snowball's chance in hell. Unless you've got some crazy dirt on your school, your chances of milking even one more won out of them is very small (especially if they're the kind of school that buries you in "voluntary" unpaid overtime). Maybe threaten to quit. Other than that, I can't see you getting what you want out of this situation.

[yingwenlaoshi]

What other people make at your job is none of your business.

If you feel you have to work too hard for what you get paid, bring it up. Ask if you could get paid more. If they don't comply, find something better and hand in your letter of resignation.

Tell them you want more or you're going to have to move on. You signed the contract.

Do you have any dirt on them? Like with taxes, pension, or anything? You could get an increase that way.

[Unposter]

Be straight up with them. I am sure there are people here who will disagree with me, but I am against games. Come with a good explaination about your productivity: the large class sizes, the work you put in outside of class and say you deserve more. I would not mention what you suspect others are being paid. Though, you may want to mention what you believe are industry averages. See what happens.

Don't be surprised if they say no though. Try to think it through their eyes. If you were the boss, honestly, why would you give yourself a raise?

And, I would be concerned if they just hired people because the best way to get a raise is to be in need. If they have new teachers coming in who can do your work, regardless of your success and hardwork, they may consider loosing you no big deal.

If you can convince yourself using this test to give you a raise, then by all means convince your boss.

Best of luck to you!

[yingwenlaoshi]

It's always good to have some sort of agreement with class sizes. Mine's 10. If I were teaching 15, I'd be asking for more money.

[newintown]

well i do have dirt re: tax & pension in that we pay double tax & don't pay into a pension. when we tried to bring it up they acted offended we questioned their integrity, and made some nasty deductions from our pay the next month.
when i think about it really, i don't stand a chance on the raise...

[garykasparov]

Food for thought:

( 1 ) There are some teachers that didn't do adequate research, failed to ask the right questions and settleed for a low salary as stated in their contract. Does this apply to you?

( 2 ) Your employer (IMHO) will abide by your contract and pay you what's stated in your contract and not a single nickle over.

( 3 ) Keep in consideration you have rent free housing, make more than Korean Teachers, and your airfare was paid for. Your boss may view your request as greedy.

[sconner]

( 4 ) Keep in consideration you have rent free housing, make more than Korean Teachers, and your airfare was paid for. Your boss may view your request as greedy.[/quote]

Not only that. If for some miraculous reason your boss gives you the raise, it probably won't be for your current workload. He will probably expect a lot more. You could end up with a longer shift and more classes. Hogwon owners like to get their money's worth when it comes to ft's.

[newintown]

[shifdog]

Do you work at Kid's College?

[newintown]

nope.