Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Papa Smurf]

Hi guys,

I've been offered a job in Doksan, Seoul. I have spoken to the director and also a member of staff but there are a few slight concerns I have.

- the director spoke pretty bad english and didn't ask me any questions in the interview....it was basically a chance for her to tell me about the school, apartment etc.

- for some reason the director thought it wasn't a good idea for me to talk to the current teacher there as "she lives with her Korean boyfriend so couldn't tell me about the apartment." Instead they got a guy who worked at the school nearby to talk to me (same franchise). He has worked at the school i have been offered, but only to cover when a teacher who they planned to employ pulled out at the last minute. His job sounds ok; he is paid on time & no funny business etc. However he is under a different director. He said he had met my prospective director only a few times.

- i will work 9.40 - 6.30 twice a week (instead of until 5.30) for the first 2 months, but they said the extra hour will be paid overtime

- overtime is apparently paid cash in hand....a bit dodgy???

- the teacher I spoke to has never received a card or anything regarding health insurance, although it is in his contract. He wasn't concerned as he said he hadn't needed it and felt comfortable that they'd sort him out if needed

- the teacher had only been there 7 months and was straight out of Uni....a bit wet behind the ears so probably lower standards. Not that i'm a fussy bugger or anything.

On the plus side I'm happy with the 2.1 they are offering and I think the location is good.

In all honesty, I don't offer that much in terms of employability....i'm not qualified, i have no experience. All I've got going for me (i think) is my enthusiasm, my brain, my integrity, my looks and apparently I'm polite. So I don't know whether to hold out for something else.....one of the main things i want is to be in the thick of Seoul and its pretty close to Gagnam etc...but are these locations not the most coveted? Can I expect to get that type of location?

I realise this is rather long so thanks for reading. I don't know if I've just read too many horror stories and I'm being overly cautious.

Cheers

[Atavistic]

[Dome Vans]

Papa smurf, Avoid this one, plain and simple.

Not allowing you to mail the current teacher.!!!!

Overtime paid in cash!!!!! Some banks won't allow you to pay cash into your account as it's possible that you earned it illegally. Also if anything goes wrong then there is no record of it and if there is a problem then you'll have no proof for the labour board.

Overall from what you've said I'd give this one a miss, there's plenty more jobs which you are able to research and not be stopped from doing this, regardless of whether the teacher there may diss the place. Sometimes you should take the word of the foreigner over the Korean owner, especially if you are applying for this from your home country.

[SqueakyBuddha]

I wouldn't take the job. Be cautious, it is not a bad thing.

[Papa Smurf]

[Atavistic]

[Dome Vans]

Also be weary of the recruiter. Ttompatz put up a very good list about what the recruiter really wants. What they really want, is to get you to take the job so they can get their fee. Simple. They'll tell allsorts to get your signature. It's best to use a lot of recruiters and pick and choose. That way you have more choice and the right job for you will come along eventually.

When I was looking for work I turned down 30-40 and then the right one came along. You should be able to tell the bad ones directly. When you think you've found a good one, check on here. It's a year or more that you'll sign up for so it needs to be right.

[garykasparov]

Questions to ask foreign teachers


Teachers & Students

1. Is there a high turnover rate at your school?

2. How many teachers, foreign and Korean, work at the school?

3. What are the English speaking abilities of the director and Korean Teachers like?

4. Has the director or any teacher abused students at the school? (If yes: How was the incident handled?)

5. Has the director abused teachers at the school? (If yes: How was the incident handled?)

6. How many students attend the school?

7. How many students do you teach per class?

8. Is the school in financial trouble?

Location

1. Is there a bank, bus terminal, subway station or train station near the school?

Working Hours

1. What are your working hours?

2. When and how long do you prepare for class?

3. How long is your break and when do you take it?

4. How many classes do you work per day?

5. How long are the classes?

Job Duties

1. Does your employer assign you job duties not written in your contract?

Wages

1. Does your employer pay you on time?

2. Does your employer pay you in cash or deposit your wages into your Korean bank account?

3. Does your employer provide a "pay receipt" that clearyly defines taxes, deductions and salary?

Overtime

1. Does your employer pay overtime wages or avoid paying them?

Tax

1. Does your employer deduct the correct amount for income taxes?

2. Are the deductions "pocketed" or paid to the district tax office?

Severance Pay

1. Does your employer pay severance pay or withhold it?

National Health Insurance Plan

1. Did your employer enroll you into the National Health Insurance Plan and provide you with a "health insurance card?"

2. Does your employer respect your medical privacy?

National Pension Plan

1. Does your employer deduct the appropriate amount from your monthly salary?

2. Are the deductions "pocketed" or paid to the pension office?

Paid Annual Leave (paid vacation)

1. How many days of paid annual leave are you entitled to?

2. When and how do you take your paid annual leave?

Paid Sick Leave

1. Have you ever used paid sick leave?

2. (If yes to 1) How did your employer react?

3. (If yes to 1) Did your employer deduct from your monthly salary because you didn't work due to illness?

Housing

1. Were you satisfied with your housing conditions?

Dismissal

1. Has your employer ever dismissed any employee for the sole purpose of not providing wages, severance or a plane ticket home?

[Dome Vans]

[Papa Smurf]

wow, seems like a resounding no at this point. I wasn't that insistent on speaking to the current teacher as I felt she was being a bit evasive about me speaking to her.....but then it was 6.30am and i wasn't 100% awake.

I have asked again to speak to the current teacher now anyway, and certainly wont say yes until i've spoken to her and I'm satisfied with what she says.

Thanks

[crazy tigger]

I was rather naive early in my job hunt and nearly took a job without speaking to the current teacher, eerything sounded great, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, I luckily found the former teacher on here and it sounded like I had a really lucky escape. Also make sure youget an e-mail addy of the teacher so you can speak to her safe inthe knowledge that the director isn't stood behind her listeningto every word.

[SuperFly]

Check yer pm dude.

[Atavistic]

[spliff]

Sounds good, I say take it....

[Papa Smurf]

Hey guys,

I've spoken to the current teacher by email now. She couldn't recommend the place highly enough. She is leaving due to having a child and says she would definitely go back once the little one has grown. Her situation is a little different to mine. She is not on an E-2 visa as she is married to a Korean and stated that she works there on a private basis (is that legal?). Therefore she doesn't get payslips, deductions etc as she doesn't pay taxes, and gets her health insurance through her husband.

Any thoughts?