Korean Job Discussion Forums

[purple_octi]

what about this contract:


Teaching Materials

Teachers are provided with textbooks and manuals. An extensive library

of resource books, supplemental materials,
visual aids, and educational tools are available to help teachers exercise their creativity while staying within the
parameters of the curriculum.

Students

The age groups of students range from pre-school to middle school.

Class Size and Class Times

The maximum number of students allowed in a class is 10. Morning classes are held 5 days a week. Afternoon
classes meet 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) or 2 days a week (Tuesday, Thursday).

Facilities
The facilities at GDA are among the best in Korea. Designed and built for both functionality and aesthetic appeal,
it provides a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere for both students and teachers.
Both our schools are equipped with well furnished classrooms, faculty/resource room equipped with computers
with internet access, information desk and counseling room, and indoor gym. Our school in Bundang is also
equipped with built in material storage areas, greenhouse, rooftop playground, and indoor swimming pool.

Compensation and Benefits

Contract Period
One-year renewable contract
Teaching Hours and Days
Seocho : 30 hours per week (44 40-minute blocks.)
Bundang : 30 hours per week (45 40-minute periods.)
Workdays: Monday through Friday

Pay Scale

The pay scale is determined by the teacher�s educational background and related work experience. The pay scale
ranges from 1.90 million to 2.30 million won.

Monthly Salary
The basic monthly salary is guaranteed. Any classes taught in excess of the base contract hours are paid at the
overtime rate.

Severance Pay
Upon completion of a one-year contract, one month's base salary is paid as severance payment.

Air Fare
An economy-class ticket from the nearest International airport to Seoul is sent to the teacher. The return ticket
back to the point of origin is provided upon completion of the contract. Teachers may opt to receive 800,000 won
in lieu of the return ticket back to their point of origin.

Housing
Single furnished housing within walking distance from the school is provided. Teachers are responsible for
payment of monthly utilities and building maintenance fees.

Medical Insurance
Medical coverage through Korean National Health Insurance is provided. Payment of premiums is evenly divided
between the teacher and the school.

Sick Days and Emergency Leave
A total of 30 40-minute blocks of paid sick/emergency leave per contract year is provided.

Buy Back Program
Upon completion of the contract, any unused sick/emergency leave will be bought back by the school at the
regular rate.

National Holidays
All Korean national holidays are observed

Vacation
Teachers receive approximately 10 days of vacation time per contract year. Vacations are regularly scheduled
during the summer and winter breaks.

Orientation and Training
Contingent upon the teacher's arrival date, up to 1 week of orientation, training and observation time will be given
at 1/2 the regular rate.

National Pension
All teachers contribute to the National Pension Plan. Deductions from teacher's salary towards the national
pension plan are matched by the school. The accumulated money in the teacher's pension plan is paid-out by the
National Pension Plan when employment in Korea is completed.

Sample Letter of Contract
This contract is entered into by and between Teacher's Name an individual (hereinafter referred to as "Teacher")
and GDA, an entity (hereinafter referred to as "School") in order to effect the placement of Teacher exclusively in
School pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
For good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

1. Relationship of the Parties: The parties hereto are to be construed as employer (School) and employee
(Teacher).

2. Term: The Term of this contract shall be 12 (twelve) full and complete teaching sessions. Solely for the
purposes of convenience, the calendar dates on this contract are listed as from Starting Date to Completion Date.
If a discrepancy exists between session dates and calendar dates, the session dates shall take precedence over
the calendar dates. Any delays in Teachers arrival in the Republic of Korea or ability to commence teaching at the
start of the session calendar may call for renegotiation of the Term.

2.1. Renewal: The Term may be renewed by the parties by an agreement set forth in writing and executed by both
parties.

3. Obligations and Responsibilities: As an employee of School, Teacher shall contribute to the cumulative
experience, wisdom, and resources of a team dedicated to developing, implementing and evaluating a
comprehensive program for teaching English.

3.1. Exclusive Employment: In accordance with Korean law, Teacher shall work exclusively for School. Any
employment outside of School for another individual or entity is illicit and strictly prohibited. Employment outside
of School is grounds for immediate termination of this contract for Just Cause.

3.2. Supervision: Teacher shall work with and abide by the decisions of the School's Directors and their appointed
representatives.

3.3. Observation and Performance Review: School reserves the right to observe Teacher's classes and to conduct
performance reviews. Observations are not announced. Failure to meet the standards of School is grounds for
immediate termination of this contract for Just Cause.

3.4. Behavior: Teacher shall respect and obey the rules and standards of conduct and behavior (written, verbal
and tacit) presently, or may hereafter be, set for Teacher by School at all times. Teacher shall respect and obey
the laws, regulations, instructions, and ordinances of the national and local governments of the Republic of Korea
at all times.

3.5. Dress Code: Teacher shall dress in a conservative manner that is appropriate for a professional business
environment. All clothes must be clean and pressed. When on the premises Teacher shall obey the following dress
code:
Male Teachers : Dress pants, dress shirt, necktie, and dress shoes.
Female Teachers: Dress, dress pants, dress skirt, dress shirt, and dress shoes.

3.6. Schedule: Under normal circumstances, the regular work week is from Monday to Friday. Teacher will have the
equivalent Base # of 40-minute classroom contact blocks (Approximately Base # of classroom contact hours) per
session. Apart from the classroom contact hours, Teacher shall devote no less than 2 hours per day at School for
the preparation and execution of administrative duties associated with classes assigned by School; this includes
but is not limited to lesson planning, writing report cards, attending and participating in Parent/Teacher
conferences, supervision of students, maintenance of the school environment, attending and participating in Staff
and Committee meetings and workshops without additional pay.

3.6.1. Saturday Classes: In the event a national holiday occurs on a Tuesday or Thursday, Teacher is required to
teach Saturday make up classes, as scheduled by the Director. Though Saturday make up classes are separate
from overtime classes, they are paid at the overtime rate.

3.6.2. Overtime Classes: In addition to Saturday make up classes, during the summer and winter peak seasons as
well as when necessary throughout the rest of the year, School reserves the right to mandate the equivalent of up
to 100 40-minute classroom contact blocks per session as overtime.

3.6.3. Arrival at Work: As part of the 2 hours per day spent on preparation and execution of administrative duties
associated with classes assigned by School as aforementioned, Teacher must arrive at and remain at School at
least 1 hour prior to the start of Teacher's first afternoon class. In the event Teacher has morning classes, Teacher
must arrive at and remain at School by at least 9:00 a.m.

3.7. Projects and Administrative Duty: School reserves the right to convert any part of Teacher's schedule into
research and development work/projects and/or administrative duties.

3.8. Orientation and Training: Teacher will undertake orientation and training before commencing to teach. Half the
normal salary will be paid for the orientation and training period. The orientation and training period lasts
approximately 1 week. School reserves the right to reduce or omit the orientation and training period if Teacher's
arrival in the Republic of Korea is less than one week prior to the commencement of the regular session calendar.

3.9. Teaching Material: Any teaching material, including but not limited to books and supplies, provided to Teacher
for use during the term of this contract, shall be returned to School in substantially the same condition in which
they were received, normal wear and tear excepted.

3.10. Replacement Cost: In the event teaching material is not returned or returned in a condition that is not
substantially the same as when Teacher received it, the cost of replacement shall be the sole responsibility of
Teacher.

3.11. Original Material: Teacher understands and accepts that all rights to use, sell, distribute and publish all
original material produced by Teacher during the Term of this contract, for which Teacher is compensated as
regular pay, overtime pay, payment of material cost, or in an agreed-upon sum, remain the sole property of
School.

3.12. Security Deposit: School will deduct and hold in account the sum of 250,000 won from Teacher's salary for
the first 3 months. Said deposit is used as security on teachers Airfare to the Republic of Korea, and to clear all
outstanding bills the teacher may have left behind at the completion of Teacher's contract. All money left after the
payment of bills, approximately 3 months, minus bank transfer fees, will be deposited into Teacher's account.

4. Salary: School shall pay Teacher a total monthly basic salary of Base Salary won on the last working day of
each session.

4.1. Overtime Pay: Overtime pay is Overtime Rate won per 40-minute classroom contact block. Overtime payment
is made only for classes taught in excess of the Base # of 40-minute classroom contact blocks per teaching
session.

4.2. Taxes and Pension: All national and local taxes and National Pension will be deducted on a monthly basis at
the rates mandated by the Republic of Korea. The rate of deduction is based on Teacher's gross earnings for the
session.

5. Severance Pay: Contingent upon the successful completion of the Term of this contract and Teacher's
contractual Obligations and Responsibilities as aforementioned, School shall pay Teacher the amount of one
month's basic salary as severance pay.

6. Airfare: School shall provide a one-way economy class ticket to the Republic of Korea from the nearest
International airport from Teacher's home (hereinafter referred to as "Point of Departure"). In the event Teacher is
hired in-country, School shall provide a round-trip economy class ticket to Japan for the purposes of obtaining a
work visa. All other costs associated with obtaining aforementioned visa are the sole responsibility of Teacher.

6.1. Reimbursement of Airfare: In the event Teacher does not complete a minimum of 7 full teaching sessions due
to ill-health, resignation or contract termination and/or fails to give a minimum of 2 full teaching session months
notice of resignation, Teacher shall reimburse the cost of the original one-way economy class ticket from Point of
Departure to the Republic of Korea. In the event Teacher was hired in-country, Teacher shall reimburse the cost of
the round-trip economy class ticket to Japan.

6.1.1. Execution of Reimbursement of Airfare: In the event reimbursement of airfare becomes necessary School
shall be entitled to withhold the amount of the reimbursement of airfare, and accommodations for in-country hire,
from Teacher's salary on the month that written notification of intent from either party is given to the other party.

6.2. Return Airfare: Contingent upon the successful completion of the Term of this contract and Teacher's
contractual Obligations and Responsibilities as aforementioned, School shall provide a one-way economy class
ticket from the Republic of Korea to Point of Departure.

6.3. Cash Settlement: In the event Teacher does not wish to return to Point of Departure at the completion of this
Contract, School shall pay Teacher the sum of 800,000 won as full settlement and fulfillment of School's
contractual obligation and responsibility to provide a one-way economy class ticket from the Republic of Korea to
Point of Departure.

7. Housing: School shall decide upon and provide furnished single housing accommodations for Teacher.

7.1. Utilities: The cost of all utilities and bills associated with School housing and its maintenance is the sole
responsibility of its inhabitants. All receipts for utilities and bills associated with School housing will be submitted
to School by inhabitants upon payment of said bill.

7.2. Vacating Housing: Teacher shall vacate School housing within 48 hours of completion of this contract and
leave such in broom clean condition, and in substantially the same condition as that in which such housing was
provided to Teacher, normal wear and tear excepted. All furnishings provided in School housing must be in dust
cloth clean condition, and in substantially the same condition as that in which such furnishings were provided to
Teacher, normal wear and tear excepted.

7.2.1. Cleaning and Repair and/or Replacement Cost: In the event School housing and/or provided furnishings is
not returned or returned not clean and/or returned in a condition that is not substantially the same as when
Teacher received it, the cost of cleaning and/or repair and/or replacement shall be the sole responsibility of
Teacher.

8. Medical Insurance: In accordance with Korean law, School shall pay 50% of monthly premiums for Teacher to
receive medical insurance through Korean National Health Insurance. In accordance with Korean law, the
remaining 50% of monthly premiums shall be paid by Teacher through deductions in Teacher's monthly salary.

8.1. Deductibles and Outstanding Premiums: Any deductibles and/or outstanding premiums are the sole
responsibility of the Teacher.

9. Combined Sick/Emergency Leave: 2.5 40-minute classroom contact blocks of paid sick/emergency leave per
session, for a combined total of 30 40-minute classroom contact blocks, shall be given per contract year to
Teacher in documented cases. Any classes missed in excess of the aforementioned 30 40-minute classroom
contact blocks will be docked at the overtime rate. Abuse of combined sick/emergency leave is grounds for
immediate termination of this contract for Just Cause.

9.1. Buy Back: Contingent upon the successful completion of the Term of this contract and Teacher's contractual
Obligations and Responsibilities as aforementioned, School shall buy back any unused sick/emergency leave from
Teacher at the regular rate.

9.2. Reimbursement of Combined Sick/Emergency Leave: In the event Teacher does not complete a 12 full
teaching sessions due to ill-health, resignation or contract termination, Teacher shall reimburse any used
Combined Sick/Emergency Leave in excess of the 2.5 40-minute classroom contact blocks per session of the
actual number of sessions worked.

10. National Holiday: Teacher shall receive off all national holidays. In instances when a national holiday falls on a
Tuesday or Thursday, Saturday make-up classes must be taught as aforementioned.

11. Vacation: Teacher will observe vacations as scheduled by the School and detailed in a yearly calendar
provided before the commencement of the calendar year.

12. Contract Termination: School reserves the right to terminate this Contract for cause with written notification
sixty days in advance, and for serious cause without notice. Teacher shall give a minimum of 2 full teaching
sessions advance notice of intention to terminate this Contract. The following events include but do not limit
events that shall trigger immediate termination of this contract:
a) Unwillingness and/or inability of Teacher to meet the obligations and responsibilities of this Contract.
b) Unwillingness and/or inability of Teacher to meet the obligations and responsibilities of the job.
c) Conduct and/or action jeopardizing any student and/or staff member.
d) Conduct and/or action jeopardizing the reputation of School.
e) Illegal activity.

13. Covenants: Teacher hereby agrees, covenants and undertakes that Teacher will not disclose any information
relating to Teacher's employment conditions to others, any teaching materials, and/or any information relating to
the academic program, whether verbally or in writing, to other individuals or corporate entities.

14. Jurisdiction: This Contract shall be interpreted according to the internal (domestic) laws of the Republic of
Korea. A competent court in the Republic of Korea shall have jurisdiction in regards to any dispute or claim arising
out of, or in connection with, this agreement.

[Tobias]

Sounds like a stock contract I've read many times before. You need a stipulation added that allows ("forces" is too harsh a word here) the school to pay you for a round trip back to your home country in case you renew your contract at the end of your first year. You will get a ticket back home IF you finish, but what about the return leg back to Korea if you're simply jumping through the new E-2 hoops? A one-way will run you 800-1000 USD by then. Make sure this is covered. You shouldn't be forced to subsidize airlines simply because Korean immigration is full of knee-jerking idiots.

[Allen]

So you don't get national holidays?This sucks.


3.6.1. Saturday Classes: In the event a national holiday occurs on a Tuesday or Thursday, Teacher is required to
teach Saturday make up classes, as scheduled by the Director. Though Saturday make up classes are separate
from overtime classes, they are paid at the overtime rate.