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Should I take this job?
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jillbean1217



Joined: 04 Jul 2008

PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:07 pm    Post subject: Should I take this job? Reply with quote

I just turned in my notice at my current school and am seeking employment elsewhere. I met with a director on Saturday, and he and his wife are quite nice people. The school is fairly new, in a sweet part of town, and with nice hours. However, I have two fairly large concerns:

My contract would be as follows:
2.3, airfare reimbursement (do they HAVE to reimburse you for an airticket here if you are already in Korea?), 50% medical, 10 days vacation with the option of additional unpaid days should I want to take them, etc, etc. However, the kicker is that they are NOT willing to pay the pension (and since I'm from America and can actually get my money back, that really sucks). I know someone else just posted something similar, but I feel like this situation is a bit different since they are actually being -honest- about the whole thing.

What do you think about these terms?


Also, this school is fairly new, just opened this year, and only has 60 students. With the current economy, I am a little afraid about working for a startup school. The husband owns another academy (english/math) and he said that he may have to close it next year....should I take this as a sign?

EDIT: Also, after the interview, the husband asked me if I "had religion". I'm agnostic, but I definitely didn't feel comfortable being asked that. I know it's probably a cultural thing, but it kind of tripped me out.


Again, I can make my own decisions, I just want some feedback.

Thanks!
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losing_touch



Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!

PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What is your tax rate going to be?
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Big Mac



Joined: 17 Sep 2005

PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 9:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't take any job that didn't offer pension. If they're screwing you over on that, they're screwing you over on other things.

I had a job offer similar to that my last go round. They offered me 2.8 million, but the director told me point blank that he won't pay pension and wondered if I had a problem with it. He even offered to compensate me for what I would lose as a result. I told him I absolutely had a problem with it.

If he was going to compensate me...why not just pay into it? What was he trying to cover up? He said that he didn't want to give it to me because then everyone else would want it too. So in other words, if you're a newbie and you don't know about pension...too bad. The only reason he was willing to compensate me was because he knew I knew the ropes here.

Even though 2.8 seemed pretty attractive, the working hours were long and the location wasn't great. The lack of pension really bothered me. So I turned it down.

If anything seems fishy to you, don't take it. The ESL job market it Korea is pretty big. There are tons of other jobs out there. And seriously, 2.3 isn't that great a deal.

Keep looking.
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Milwaukiedave



Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Location: Goseong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jill,

I would say no. Him not being willing to pay the pension is a bad sign. The comment about his possibly having to close one of his hagwons should be a red flag as well. As to the question about religion, I've come across that as well at least once and it caught me off guard as well.
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jillbean1217



Joined: 04 Jul 2008

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 1:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
What is your tax rate going to be?


My tax rate is going to be 3.3%.

Quote:
There are tons of other jobs out there. And seriously, 2.3 isn't that great a deal.


Yeah, I know 2.3 isn't that great. I'm actually making 2.5 now, but it's hard to find that nice of a pay rate when you don't have much experience, an MA or TESOL. But, you're right that there are a ton of other jobs out there. I just really liked the director and his wife.



Quote:
Him not being willing to pay the pension is a bad sign


You know, I know these things, but sometimes I just need someone else to tell me. Thanks for all your help.
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losing_touch



Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 1:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So, you are going to get screwed on the tax rate as well....
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yingwenlaoshi



Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 2:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where's the job?
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jillbean1217



Joined: 04 Jul 2008

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 2:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
So, you are going to get screwed on the tax rate as well....


What should the tax rate be? I was under the impression that was normal...

Quote:
Where's the job?


A school in Daegu. Not really comfortable posting the name.
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losing_touch



Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 2:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Read and learn:

http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/
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hogwonguy1979



Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: the racoon den

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

pension is mandatory and has been for a while, that school is playing fast and lose with the rules

run like the wind from this job
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ChinaBoy



Joined: 17 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

He's being honest about the pension? Well, sort of, but that's stretching "honest" quite a bit.

He might be telling the truth that he's going to screw you and not pay it.

Maybe you shouldn't have given notice at the first place just yet.

And you probably won't get reimbursed for an imaginary air ticket. Maybe a visa run to Japan if you have to switch.
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Join Me



Joined: 14 Jan 2008

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why would you take a job with an employer that tells you he is going to put your pension in his pocket? Why don't you just offer to pay for his kids private education while you are at it?

Are you stupid?
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jillbean1217



Joined: 04 Jul 2008

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Maybe you shouldn't have given notice at the first place just yet.


I had to put in a two month notice...so I'm not really worried about finding a job before that period is up.

Quote:
Why would you take a job with an employer that tells you he is going to put your pension in his pocket? Why don't you just offer to pay for his kids private education while you are at it?

Are you stupid?


No, thanks, I'm actually not stupid at all. I understand the idea of not wanting to pay into the pension from his standpoint, especially since a lot of FT can't get their pension funds back. In addition, the school is looking for their first FT and they honestly may not know all the rules yet.

I love how I come to Dave's for information and instead end up getting belittled. Ugh, I hate this place...but...I just...can't stay away. ha.
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Join Me



Joined: 14 Jan 2008

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 7:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jillbean1217 wrote:
Quote:
Maybe you shouldn't have given notice at the first place just yet.


I had to put in a two month notice...so I'm not really worried about finding a job before that period is up.

Quote:
Why would you take a job with an employer that tells you he is going to put your pension in his pocket? Why don't you just offer to pay for his kids private education while you are at it?

Are you stupid?


No, thanks, I'm actually not stupid at all. I understand the idea of not wanting to pay into the pension from his standpoint, especially since a lot of FT can't get their pension funds back. In addition, the school is looking for their first FT and they honestly may not know all the rules yet.

I love how I come to Dave's for information and instead end up getting belittled. Ugh, I hate this place...but...I just...can't stay away. ha.


Instead of helping this guy to rob and cheat people that come to his country why don't you explain his obligation to pay into the pension fund for his employees. Guess what? If he doesn't like to pay pension, he probably doesn't like paying taxes either. You are OK with him also with holding taxes from your pay and putting those in his pocket also?

People come on this site and cry all the time about getting ripped off. Yet, there are people like you that are willing to work with unethical employers like this one to promote their behavior.

You came to this website to ask if you should do something you know is wrong and will cause other instructors problems in the future. Yes...you are stupid.

FYI..."nice people" do not steal from others. The director of this institute is a crook.


Last edited by Join Me on Sun Dec 14, 2008 7:17 am; edited 3 times in total
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D.D.



Joined: 29 May 2008

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 7:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get some confidence. Why would you take a job with less pay? Why would you take a hogwan job? No pension equals scumbag.
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