Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Curiousity]

I�ve just been told that the Busan Office of Education is planning to shaft its EPIK teachers, and most aren�t even aware of it yet.

Supposedly, the policy this year, with regard to airfare reimbursement, is as follows:

1. Airfare will not be reimbursed until it is confirmed that you have, in fact, left the country.
2. Confirmation will, supposedly, be by way of a certificate from Immigration evidencing that you have left.
3. They claim that the process will take a couple of weeks.

There�s no word yet on severance. I wouldn�t be surprised if they stuck to the same line.

Clearly, this policy is ridiculous. It is a complete departure from the way things have been done in the past. Many people that I know have no cash with which to pay for these flights. Due to the crumbling economy or debts back home, they�ve stashed it elsewhere.

In light of the fact that everyone who started a year ago was forced to wait well over a month for airfare reimbursement for flights to Korea, there are already trust issues. Will they pay? When? What can you do about it if you�re already out of country? The answers are anyone�s guess.

Has anyone heard of this �certificate� from Immigration? What, exactly, does it say? What details are provided to POE?

If you�re in another province, what have you been told about airfare reimbursement?

[Omkara]

How, then, do they get the money to us? My bank account will have been closed. . .

[EricaSmile84]

What the hell. If that's the case, people are going to get very angry.

Who did you hear this from?

[EricaSmile84]

They may be able to transfer it into our home country's accounts. Maybe?

[Curiousity]

This comes directly from the the POE.

I agree, people are going to get very angry, and should make sure they're heard on the issue.

I've been told they'll be happy to deposit it in a Korean or overseas account of your choice.

[cruisemonkey]

I'm in Gyeongnam and currently they use the government transportation request (GTR) process where you just phone Korean Air or Asiana, give them your information and tell then when & where you want to fly (you pick the flights). After the request is approved you receive E-tickets.

However, the new (2009) EPIK contract specifies fixed, monitary entrance, exit and renewal allowances instead of airfare; so I guess the GTR process will be 'history' for those starting in March.

[afsjesse]

I agree, with the new 2009 contract, this will be a one time thing. Good or bad I don't know. The new monetary reimburtments may come this way also.?

[Omkara]

Another issue: currency exchange rates. If we don't know when exactly we'll get our money, it'll be difficult to get the best exchange rate. If they just sent the money home, to our account, we may lose on the exchange; we may lose on the transfer rate.

[Ramen]

Give them a year of faithful service and they'll try to screw you at the end.

I'm all for new 2009 contract deal.

[marlow]

Way to screw an F2er that doesn't need to leave immediately when they finish. I was planning on making sure they put my severance in before leaving good old SK.

[Omkara]

[otto]

I am working with EPIK in Busan. I will not be renewing my contract, or returning to Korea. My VISA expires on February 21, but my contract ends on February 28, and I want to fly home on March 1.

In order to get a visa extension, I need proof that I am leaving the country. Should I just go ahead and buy a ticket back to the US, since they will be reimbursing me after I get there?

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

this is ALREADY happening in GangwonDo, sure everyone likes it cos we get 5 weeks vacation.

But same thing, NO airfare re-imbursement til AFTER you leave Korea, and the best part. We have to POST our BOARDING PASS from our home country back to KOREA! So they can see we actually went home, then they make an international transfer to our bank account back home.

WHAT FUKN BS!!!
same with severance. Only money we get on the finalday is our last salary payment.

No doubt i will lose out on the exchange rate again by then.

Another reason why i wouldnt resign with EPIK.

[Omkara]

Let's organize, make a collective complaint.

We agreed to be paid in won. That is the contract. But, did they transfer the money home, they violate the contract, since then we are being paid in our local currency. This is illegal.

We lose control of exchange rates and can lose a lot of money.

What is their reasoning?

[marlow]