Korean Job Discussion Forums

[flicknut]

I'm transferring from GEPIK to EPIK. I'm going from Gyeonggi-do to Busan.

Anyway, I have to be at EPIK orientation on February 21st. My current GEPIK contract ends on February 29th, but school finishes on the 19th.

My school hasn't said anything about a spring camp. They haven't told me if I need to be at school or not.

What would you do in this situation? Do you think there is a chance I will lose my severance pay if I skip the final 8 days of my contract for EPIK orientation?

[Tokki1]

LOL....I'm sure you'll find out all the details 5 minutes before the camp begins.

[pkang0202]

Explain the situation with your school. I'm was in the same situation. My contract ending mid March and SMOE wanting me to start March 1st. My school agreed to let me go in time to transfer while keeping severance, airfare, etc...

[boyne11]

[fusionbarnone]

That's why Epik hires the times they do, to prevent participants from finding another job I reckon.

Is there a way you can get your airfare refund(you have worked 6/12 months?) and isn't severance paid upon non-resigning of your current contract?

If you can get it in writing; ask the POE(is your new job in the same district?) if your severance can be transferred. Have you had a meeting with your supervisor after notification of your intent to the principal? Otherwise, your intent may be falling o deaf ears. Your times running out get that supervising teacher on your side and on the phone to the district supervisor pronto and request the paperwork(the school admin. person handles al of this; get your co-teacher to liaise just to be sure lip-service is the order of the day.

If you let this slide this is going to cost you(provided this is a full yearly contract you are concluding? if 6 months/your airfare only) 3.4 million won probably(one month pay + return airfare refund- health insurance 450,000won). Even if you lost all, you'll still be "charged" the health ins.

I think you may be applying for an entirely new contract. Does this mean you will have to resubmit your documents in order to get a new E2? What happens to your original E2 sponsorship?

Aren't you supposed to leave the country after a contract?(if you have paid for your airline ticket in advance in order to get the refund; couldn't you get it back this way via submission of your flight details and receipt; canceling the flight later perhaps?; that could be an immigration question if you are required to leave the country in order to secure a new visa)

What a pain. I hope posters can give you a strategy to win because that is what you are fighting to achieve right now.

I almost lost twice as much as you. Got it back by "inquiring" with immigration in person until I got their big boss who shook trees on my behalf. Don't let your boss pull something out of their @ss.
I wish you luck.

[chachee99]

I am in the same situation right now, but will be transfering my vis from a private elementary school to a public school through GEPIK. My current visa ends on March 1 and GEPIK contract starts March 3rd. I had my school write me a letter that states my record of employment up until March 1, 2008, but will have them make out the letter of release for February 16th since the last day of teaching is on February 15th.

They said to me that the would pay the severance in full, but will not compensate any payment for air fair, which is fair I guess. However, I want to make sure they don't try to escape from paying me my severance or two weeks pay. I don't want to lose a few million won just to transfer my visa to a new school. I am hoping if something occurs the record of employment is enough to plead my case to receive my severance just in case they feel it is a way to save themselves some money.

[fusionbarnone]

What happens to the vacation time you are entitled to? If you demand your holiday near the end of your contract you will then afford yourself some overlap. It will also help you find out if the school has plans for you(POE or school) around this time. Check your calender and see if Korean holidays or weekends can add to your vacation time.

As for your entitlements; they belong to you according to your contract. It shouldn't be one-or-the-other that is law(isn't it???; ask them this if they argue. I notice on contracts a set sum is mentioned as a not to go beyond measure, why can't they give you cash in lieu of you having to submit tickets? Get info. from EPIK/GEPIK head office.

The admin. person at your school can give you all of your deduction records before you leave(tax, health ins contributions, etc) demand this gets going asap so you can see things happening(you'll be asked to sign stuff). Also shows you are professional and mean business.

How are your apartment arrangement going? Bills, etc??? The admin. person will organize the collection of furniture from the apartment. Liaise through your co-worker; you may have to sign forms(??)

If your bills are being paid via your account then you should be fine. Otherwise put your co-teacher to work in requesting the final account(tell them this weeks in advance) but also insist you want the services cut only on the day best for you(no need to eat cold ramyon in the dark.)

[fusionbarnone]

BTW: If you call the EPIK orientation coordinator, perhaps she'll cut you some slack. Did you do orientation for GEPIK? If you did, you've probably more knowledgeable than most of the punters at the EPIK gig. It could help mentioning this too.

Good luck

[expat2001]