Korean Job Discussion Forums

[John Risky]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and forums in gerenal. I'm in the process of gettting all of the bits of paper together for my E-2, I feel like I'm in a Kafka knightmare! Hoping to be in South Korea for early May, if not sooner.

Anyway, the agency who are sorting out my job (Korvia) have asked me to sign a document agreeing to pay a 900,000krw 'security deposit to the school I am to be working at. The specifics of the deposit aren't clear, but I'm am presuming that it is incase I leave before my 1-year contract is up for whatever reason. Am I right in my assumption? Is this standard practice?

Here's a weblink to the .pdf of the document: http://upload2.net/page/download/4E1qVHjjJ7V4QHp/Deposit+Agreement.pdf.html

I'd appreciate any advice.

JR

[faeriehazel]

A security deposit? For a contract? I've never heard of such a thing in my life.

[faeriehazel]

Upon further investigation:

You need to read the contract more thoroughly. The PDF you linked to specfically refers to Article 17 of the GEPIK contract, which states:

========================================
Article 17 (Indemnity)
1.Employee shall be responsible for and protect Employer from any liability or damages arising from or in relation to any negligent, faulty, or illegal activity during the Term of Employment under this contract. For safety deposit, 300,000 Korean won per month will be deducted from Employee�s salary for the first 3 months of employment until it amounts to a total of 900,000 Korean won, even in case Employee finds their own housing. Married couples who are both employed by GPOE, sharing living accommodations, shall also be required to pay the cost respectively.

2.Employer shall check the leased facilities and financial matters arising from the use of them by Employee before the Term of Employment is completed. If any liability or damages are found, these shall be confirmed in written form by Employee, who will be indemnified from the security deposit pursuant to the foregoing 1. In the case of the insufficient security of indemnity pursuant to the foregoing 1, Employer shall demand further compensation. In the case of protecting Employer from any liability or damages, Employee shall get refunded the whole amount of money secured in advance before the termination of the contract.
========================================

So the 900,000W deposit is for potential damage to your apartment - like any deposit you'd pay for an apartment here in the US. You take care of your apartment, you get your money back at the end of your lease/contract. Apparently this applies even if you get an apartment independently of GEPIK.

[spliff]

Don't pay it. I didn't and I work for GEPIK.

[ttompatz]

If you are applying for a public school position it is a pretty standard part of the package.

You may want to see the whole thing here:
http://gepik.ken.go.kr/r/bbs/board.php?bbs_code=f_notice

and download the application package (button on the right side of the page about 1/2 way down).

[cbclark4]

You should be able to negotiate out of that.

They really have enough over your head in that if you bug out early you
have to pay your own way back.

It's just extortion.

[Mi Yum mi]

[ineedadvice]

if you're hesitant on signing and are interested in checking out other positions, then please let me know.

my school (located in seoul) has been great to me and they are looking for another english teacher. if you're interested and want more information, email me at: [email protected] (i'm not a recruiter and am not getting anything out of this).

no deposit bullshit and they're really honest people. i have to leave my job for personal reasons.

hope things work out for you.

[PGF]

no. don't sign it.