Korean Job Discussion Forums

[joyjoy12]

So I have been offered a public school position in Chungbuk. If you've had experience with EPIK in Chungbuk, how has your experience been? In general, what are the EPIK-provided accommodations like in this province? How difficult is it to get around if you have to teach at multiple schools?

Also, I'm confused about this part in my contract:

? Actual class instruction hours of Employee shall not exceed twenty-two(22) hours per week. If, however, Employee's actual weekly class instruction hours exceed twenty-two(22) hours due to supplementary class instruction, Employee shall be entitled to a supplementary class instruction pay(20,000won/hour).
? Employer may require Employee to work overtime in addition to normal Work Days and Work Hours. In this case, overtime pay will be provided(6,000won/hour).

6000won/hour??? Is that standard for EPIK?

When I had my phone interview with the EPIK rep, I asked her whether flight would be reimbursed or paid upfront and she said that it's up to the recruiter. Do recruiters sometimes pay for flight and then EPIK somehow reimburses them for the fare?

[Bigs]

It's usual for EPIK to reimburse the teacher once they arrive in Korea. However, you may be able to negotiate with your recruiter to pay for the flight, and then they will get the re-imbursement - this is how I got here - my recruiter was kind enough to pay for my ticket here.

As for the overtime - I'm not sure. 6000 seems *very* low. A school I'm working at is asking me to do 3 1/2 day Saturdays - but they're going to be paying me 40,000/hr to do so. I think I'll take the money!

[joyjoy12]

Thanks for your reply! I will check if my recruiter would consider paying for the fare and then EPIK reimburse them. Did your recruiter offer to do this for you or did you ask them (if you don't mind my asking)? They did explain that it is usually reimbursed when I first asked how the fare is normally paid and I don't want to seem rude for asking them to do it this way instead.

My recruiter explained that 20,000 is for teaching an hour over the required 22 hours/week and that 6,000/hr is for staying outside work hours but not actually teaching.

Is this stated the same way for other EPIK contracts? I don't remember seeing it like this anywhere else.

[marlow]

Would you work every day of the month (as in EVERY Saturday and Sunday) for about an extra 400,000 per month? That's what you would be agreeing to do, if asked, were you to sign that contract.

I'm not saying that they would make you work 8 hour Saturdays and Sundays every weekend, but they could very well make you do that, and only pay you 48,000 per day, according to that contract.

[hubba bubba]

[Bigs]

Just to clarify my position

I was asked if I wanted to do the 3 half-day Saturdays. My school offered me the choice of not working, or getting paid 40,000 won/hour for them.

I took the cash :p

But yeah... *required* overtime for 6000/hr? What could they possibly want you to do (if in your contract extra classes are 20,000)

%$#%^ that, I say

[JD1982]

Six thousand dollars maybe, but not six thousand won.

They can suck my ass for that on Saturdays.

[joyjoy12]

Well, I'm glad I asked about it. Guess I better start looking for other jobs. They didn't have all that info about the teaching/non-teaching overtime rate in the sample contract online. EPIK contracts can't be changed, right? They are all standardized with no flexibility?

[dogshed]

[hubba bubba]

[Bigs]

Good points... well made.

[marlow]

[plainjayme]

i plan on being in chungbuk march of 08. updates joyjoy? did you go through with it? hows it working out?