Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bejarano-korea]

Can any of you good folks give me a lowdown on this fine establishment?

It is in Buk gu in Daegu, lots of good reports but I know I can trust the folks on here and their opinions.

Ta very much!

[the eye]

Hi again.
One thing i dislike about Oedae's curriculum, is that you have to call each of your students, and have a telephone 'conversation' with them every Wednesday night.
It's like trying to pull out teeth.

Maybe things have changed, but it was part of the deal a couple years ago.

[bejarano-korea]

[the eye]

No, it isn't the same branch. I don't know anything about that one, but it's good that you have some questions to ask teachers there.

[storysinger81]

I work for another Oedae in Daegu and we don't have to call students at home. I find my working conditions very pleasant (though I've only been here 2 weeks). I was a teacher in the US, and I blogged about my initial impressions of the curriculum we're using, which is from the chain--generally positive.

Every branch is different though. Talk to foreign teachers past and present.

[bejarano-korea]

Cheers folks,

I had the phone inteview today and it went well (or I think I did!) The nice lady on the phone said she was going to discuss my application/phone interview with her boss and they were going to phone me again.

I don't know if it is standard procedure.

I have read everything about the Korean job process and kimnjoe are the best recruiters around according to many on here. so I'm sure the Buk gu school is a good 'un!

I'm checking out your blog SS81!

[kvalliant]

[garykasparov]

Questions for new teachers to ask the current and past foreign teacher (if possible) at the school.

( 1 ) Work hours:

( a ) When does your workday start?

( b ) When does your workday end?

( c ) How many preparation hours do you work before the first class?

( d ) Does your employer force employees to work at other schools without permission from Korean Immigration Officials? Yes = Red flag

( e ) Does your employer provide you with time to take breaks during working hours that you can use freely? If so, then how long are your breaks?

( f ) Does your employer count time spent teaching in class including preparation between classes as a "work hour?"

( 2 ) Wages:

( a ) Are you always paid on time? No = Red flag

( b ) Does your employer pressure you or force you to give access to your bank account as well as your cash card? Yes = Red flag

( c ) Does your employer pay you in cash or deposit your monthly salary into your Korean bank account? Cash = Red flag

( d ) Does your employer provide you with pay receipts on payday stating the nature and amount of all deductions, taxes, and salary? No = Red flag

( e ) Does your employer give you holiday bonuses that are deductions from your monthly salary for income tax, pension or medical insurance? Yes = Red flag

( 3 ) Overtime wages:

( a ) Does your employer force employees to work overtime hours? Yes = Red flag

( b ) Does your employer pay you overtime wages or avoid paying them with creative book keeping? Avoid paying them with creative book keeping = Red flag

( 4 ) Paid annual leave:

( a ) Does your employer make deductions from your monthly salary on or during days of paid annual leave? Yes = Red flag

( b ) How do you use annual paid leave days?

( c ) When do you use annual paid leave days?

( 5 ) Korean National Holidays:

( a ) Does your employer "require you / force you" to work on Korean Nation Holidays? Yes = Red flag

( b ) Does your employer make deductions from your monthly salary on or during Korean National Holidays? Yes = Red flag

( 6 ) National Health Insurance Plan:

( a ) Does your employer provide you with a health insurance card? No = Red flag

( b ) Does your employer respect your medical privacy? No = Red flag

( 7 ) National Pension Plan:

( a ) Does your employer pay into pension? No = Red flag

( 8 ) What else do you do that's not written in your contract?

( 9 ) Is the school in financial trouble? Yes = Red flag

( 10 ) Paid sick days:

( a ) Does your employer let you take a paid sick day if you where unable to teach due to illness or injury? No = Red flag

( b ) Have you ever taken a paid sick day? What was your employer's reaction?

( c ) Did you ever have to make a paid sick day up at a later date? Yes = Red flag

( d ) Did your employer ever make deductions from your monthly salary for a paid sick day you took off? Yes = Red flag

( e ) If you used a paid sick day, did another native teacher work your classes during?

( 11 ) Does your employer have a history of firing employees for the sole purpose of not providing severance pay, wages and a plane ticket home? Yes = Red flag

( 12 ) Does your employer have a history of being verbally or physically abusive? Yes = Red flag

( 13 ) Does your employer have a history of "pocketing " deductions for taxes, pension and medical insurance? Yes = Red flag

( 14 ) Housing & accomodations:

( a ) Did your employer provide you with the furnishings stated in your contract when you moved in? No = Red flag

( b ) What were the overall conditions of your apartment including the furnishings when you moved in? Poor = Red flag

( c ) Does your employer make deductions from your monthly salary for housing deposits provided you signed a labor contract without a housing deposit clause? Yes = Red flag

( d ) Are all the utilities in your name or your bosses name?

( e ) Were all the utilities paid from the prior teacher before you moved in? If they were not, did you pay for them? You pay for them = Red flag

( f ) Does your employer walk into your apartment when you are in your apartment without your consent or do apartment searches when you are not in your apartment?

( 15 ) Did you get your passport, degree and transcripts back after receiving a work visa from Korean Immigration Officials? No = Red flag

( 16 ) What are the English speaking abilities of the Korean Teachers and your employer like? Poor = You'll have a rough year

( 17 ) Does your boss deduct income taxes from your monthly salary correctly? No = Red flag

( 18 ) Have there been complaints filed against your employer at the local labour office within the last year or two? If so, then what was it for? Yes = Red flag

( 19 ) Are there banks, gyms, train stations, subway stations, hospitals and airports close to the school?

[bejarano-korea]

[kvalliant]

[kvalliant]