Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bingo]

For the last year my GEPIK school has not been counting any 'class hours' for my national holidays, sports days etc. That means that national holidays etc. (supposedly 'paid' holidays) regularly ate up my overtime. 'No teachee, no pay' said my co-teacher. This has sat extremely unwell with me over the last year - especially since my last GEPIK school counted those hours as 'worked' and therefore my overtime hours were unaffected.

My school says that in this city they follow the xxxx city board of education outlines. My response is that a GEPIK contract is a GEPIK contract. If different regions count these hours differently then that should be clearly stated before a contract is signed. Who the hell would knowingly sign a contract with a GEPIK region that steals your overtime as opposed to one that counts it? Only in Korea is this kind of detrimental information given to you after you've signed up.

I expected this kind of crap from a hogwan, but to see that the Korean government is itself actively involved in contract fraud is very disheartening.

Anyone else find their overtime being regularly stolen?

[ttompatz]

[Tobias]

How much is this outfit "cheating" you out of?

This is Korea, not that you need to be told that, mind you, and in Korea, contracts are viewed as something that is plastic. Contracts here are not the rock-solid, unchangeable entities they are in the west. Koreans are even trying to change the recent FTA with the USA. Look at the furor that's causing on both sides of the pond.

If people knew the Korean view of contracts up front, it'd save a lot of grief later among both westerners and their Korean bosses. Expect to have to budge and bend a little on your contract here. Emphasis on "little". I'm not saying 'let them screw you'. I'm saying that standing firm on a contract will cause you grief.

Here's a (true story) example of how bad it can get here:
School 'promises' a washing machine will be provided in teachers' housing. School backtracks and doesn't provide said machine. Teacher becomes angry and threatens to quit over a 150-dollar used Samsung unit. Hmmm. Quitting a 2.5 million won-per-month job over a 150-dollar washing machine? Give me a break. Somebody obviously doesn't know how good he's got it. But the western teacher doesn't see it this way. A promise is a promise, dammit! Teacher is then given a lecture, an attitude adjustment, really, by a fellow white face before he walks off a cliff over something as small as a cheap appliance. Teacher sees the light, buys his OWN unit, continues working at the school, and becomes happy as a pea in a pod.

You have to be able to bend at times.

[TeeBee]

Hey Bingo

My school underpaid me for my overtime classes, and was edging towards taking any cancelled classes out of the overtime classes. I found that it was better to stop doing any overtime classes. This is not great, because I could use the extra cash. But without a guarantee of actually seeing this cash, I'd rather not do all that prep and work.

On a sort of related note, my school tried to take away some of my leave days for the few days in the vacation when I don't have to teach a camp. This was without my knowledge. So I almost lost 4 days leave because they don't have a camp during those days. This lead to the bizarre situation where I volunteered to sit and do nothing at the school during those days, rather than lose leave days.

[Draz]

[ttompatz]

I strongly disagree.

I went on my last visa run. I was told that ALL expenses (airfare, hotel, transportation) would be covered. I would only be responsible for my meals.

When I returned I was told that they would only pay for the airfare (I am GEPIK) because that was the official policy.

I said, "I quit, goodbye."

I packed up my stuff and headed for the door over a matter of about 100k won.

They backed down (and paid up) and I am still here many years later.

There are times to pick and choose your battles. In the case of the OP, it is time to battle. It is not a provincial policy but a local interpretation (and someone IS putting the money for the after school/extra classes program in their pocket) and it is time to take a stand.

.

[fromtheuk]

I thought in the contract it states you must work up to 6 hrs over the 22 e.g. a maximum of 28 hrs a week.

So, refusing to do it could lead to trouble?!!

I believe my school also calculates overtime pay in relation to how many regular classes were cancelled.

I eventually get paid various amounts, but I am unsure if you can get away with refusing to teach after school class.

This interpretation of the rules seems quite common, it would be interesting to note what Kimers and Bainers would say about this.

My school always seem to follow the contract, so I would be interested in GEPIK's view.

[it's full of stars]

Poor fella, you've been doing extra classes, then being told that they count towards your normal hours. You can be sure that this little problem doesn't exist for your coteachers.

Obviously you don't understand/respect Korean culture because you are asking questions about this.

[ttompatz]

[philipjames]

Gepik is a den of thieves. Little better than a hogwan. They cheat you on airfare, on visa runs, on overtime.....My contract is up in a month. I will never resign with Gyeongido province. On top of that, classes of forty students and incredibly annoying co-teachers. Best look elsewhere.

[patongpanda]

I don't think the OP is talking about after school classes??

I have 26 regular classes a week - so that should be 4 hours OT. Except I have rarely been paid it 'cos they deducted missed classes for sports day, test day, picnic day etc.

I wasn't sure if I should be upset or not - I didn't technically do OT those weeks, but on the days where the extra classes fall I still had a still had a slightly tougher day's work.

The other extra classes - advanced, teachers and mums aren't affected.

[philipjames]

The thing is national holidays are supposed to be paid holidays. We are supposed to look forward to holidays. They are things that are intended to make a worker's life better. Now, how are paid holidays of benefit to a working person if it eats into his overtime? I've often lost 100,000 won or more on a week's pay at my GEPIK school due to a holiday that was supposed to be 'paid' and that was supposed to be for my advantage. I don;t look forward to my 'paid' national holidays. I dread them because I know it's going to come out of my pocket.

*beep* Gepik. Nothing but thieves.

[Otherside]

[spliff]

I've never had that problem cause I told my co-teacher I wouldn't accept that sorta thing. Also, my contract says if i renew the school has to give me a RT ticket to my home or pay me the equivalent. There aren't any tickets for economy direct flight for under 2.4mill so they will pay me that amount.

[Tobias]

Actually, the teacher was a complainer, at least at first. Some people just need a good talking to and they see the light.

The washing machine was the only issue he had with the place, but if he hadn't had something to bitch about, he'd have been miserable indeed. Some people love their misery. If they weren't wallowing in sorrow, they'd have to be institutionalized, as they'd become mentally ill.