Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Peter Jackson]

I've heard for years that housing deposits are illegal. When I told a prospective employer that I wanted the clause removed, this was her response:

I understand you prefer the previous provision about deposit. However, we, our school, are not allowed to change that, which is 3 months' deposit of 300,000 won, because this contract is official newly revised in 2007 from Board of Education. All elementary schools in Korea are forced to adopt this contract by the Law. However, this deposit is refundable and only 3 months. And the first month, you get 300,000 won as an extra pay for new settlement. I hope this is not a heavy burden for you and understand our position.

The first contract I was sent by this school did NOT include a deposit clause but had a more reasonable one about withholding 100,000 won per month to cover utiliites. The main problems I have had with deposits in the past are:

1 They take a HUGE bite out of one's first 3 months salary. The first three are often the most expensive because of settling in costs, etc.

2 It has always taken a little bit of "doing" to get it all back at the end of contract, at least on TIME. Last year I was booked on a flight the next night and they were trying to wait till the next Monday! The cash was there just as the bank was closing and I had to rush to get it out.

Other problems:

OPEN class: Here is what she said to my question about how many. I asked if there would be one per year as the first contract said. Her answer:

Open class is very flexible. Usually our school has two open classes per semester.

Two per SEMESTER? So four per year...come on.

In regards to international vacation:

The only thing you are supposed to do for an international trip, is to get the president's signature. It's not the problem at all.

So I need a SIGNATURE to leave the country...that will be the day.

Anyone else having similar problems? Have you been able to solve them?

Cheers,

[passport220]

[Peter Jackson]

"Open class" is the Korean teachers term for demonstration class, the one in which the dudes from the education office and other western and Korean teachers attend. There is usually one per semester. It is usaully a dog and pony show.

[passport220]

I see, thanks.

[icicle]

I think that the school is being honest with you about their position on the deposit ... I have a contract which includes the deposit clause ... which does seem to be one of the relatively non-negotiable points of the contract ... It comes from the heirachy above the school rather than being a school decision ... I do not like it ... but I can live with it for the other good conditions my contract gives me ... and the relative security of being employed in a public school ... It is not just elementary schools in Gyeonggi who have this clause ... It is all schools elementary, middle and high schools. I don't like your chances of getting them to remove this from the contract ....

The actual number of open classes you have to deal with could vary ... and is probably unlikely to be set in concrete before you start ... There are a few different categories of open classes ... One is the one which includes teachers korean and Native speakers coming to the school to watch the class ... The others are classes which other teachers from your school watch and the third is classes which the parents watch. I would expect at the most 2 of the "other schools coming" open classes in the year ... one in each semester ... and quite possibly only 1 ...

Icicle

[Atavistic]

[KimchiExplosion]

My contract includes the 300,000 won deposit, yet they've never bothered to take it out. I haven't asked any questions

[Rteacher]

Last year I successfully argued with school authorities regarding the deposit. But this year - at the same privately owned tech high school - there was too much pressure on them from government officials to enforce such clauses - or face loss of subsidies ...

[ontheway]

Deposits are NOT illegal.

It is only illegal to deduct deposits if they are NOT in your contract. If you have a deposit clause in your contract and you sign the contract, the deposit is legal. You make it legal when you agree to it by signing.

[Scouse Mouse]