Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Korussian]

Hey folks,

The GEPIK Application/Contract for 2009/2010 has just been posted on their site. You can download the contract here.

One of the more notable changes is that, like the previous GEPIK Internship program & the TALK program, there are now a few salary levels below "Just BA Holder". You can now get in to the regular GEPIK program with just a couple of years from community college, or a couple of years of university sans degree.

[2009/02/06: Contract file link was broken. Edited to update the location of the contract file to the new one.]

[fromtheuk]

Have you seen this bit:

7. Employer may require Employee to perform duties overtime other than teaching classes in addition to normal Work days and Work hours. In this case, overtime pay will be provided (7,000 KRW/hour).

Does that mean we could be forced to stay beyond 4.40pm?

Another issue, it says to be paid 2.5 million won a month, you need 2 consecutive years with GEPIK and a Masters/TEFL etc.

I will have 2 consecutive years with GEPIK at the end of this contract and a TESOL certificate, does that mean 2.5 million for the next job?

[sobriquet]

^ I doubt it.

You cannot transfer schools remember or you lose everything. All that hard work and devotion that you put into your school is just flushed away.

GEPIK - Getting Englishspeakers to work in Pennypinching Inbred Korea

[fromtheuk]

Have you read the contract?

If I see out this contract, which I intend to, I'll have 2 consecutive years with GEPIK, a TESOL certificate and the degree I've had for many years.

If my eyes don't deceive me I'll be on 2.5 million next contract, and not 2.3.

[Kidmn]

Hmm...just compared 2009-2010 contract to 2009-2009 contract.


+ The payment structure didn't change much other then the TALK program.
+ Raised max payment level from 2.5million to 2.7 million WON
+ Really don't like the idea of getting paid in the middle of the month. I enjoyed getting paid near the end of each month!
+ I like the increase of vacation to 20 days. Sucks that most of the Korean holidays are all on the weekends in 2009!

[sobriquet]

^ In your dreams.

They will make sure they don't have to pay you. Why on earth would they become more out of pocket when they can impose their bum shafting rules wherever they like.

[fromtheuk]

Well they raised my pay to 2.1 for this contract as set out in the guidelines.

You need to smile more.

[fromtheuk]

Pay Category Monthly Salary Requirements

Category 1 + 2 500 000 KRW per month Category 1 AND Minimum two consecutive years of employment within GEPIK

Category 1 2 300 000 KRW per month Category 3 AND Minimum two years of full time English teaching experience at accredited institution(s)

Plus one of the followings

-Master�s Degree

-Elementary, Middle, or Secondary School Teacher�s Certificate

-Bachelor's degree in Education/ English Literature/ English Language/ Linguistics (Must be clearly stated on either the diploma certificate or official transcript)

- TEFL/TESOL/CELTA (min.of 100 hrs) Certificate

So, with 2 consecutive years in GEPIK, a TESOL and a degree, I should be on 2.5 next contract. Right?

I'm excited.

[Capo]

Article1(Purpose) The purpose of Contract is as follows.
1.Contract is made for the purpose of setting forth the terms and conditions of employment
for GEPIK teachers who will teach English at a(n) elementary, middle or high school in
Gyeonggi Province.

Article 2(Duties) Employee shall perform the following duties.
1.To teach English with emphasis on speaking and writing as a GEPIK teacher at a school
in Gyeonggi Province assigned by Employer. If a class has more than 23 students, at the
discretion of the Employer, a class may be divided into two(2) separate classes, one taught
by the regular Korean teacher and the other by the GEPIK teacher.
2. To do lesson planning and develop teaching materials with a Korean co-teacher.
3.To be involved in English day camps, extra-curricular classes, teacher training during
school vacations.
4.To be involved in other educational duties relevant to English education as requested by
Employer.
5.To conduct English Conversational Class(es) for Korean teachers and/or students�
parents as requested by Employer.
6. To participate in GEPIK teachers� workshop(s) conducted by Employer.

Article 3(Supervision) Employee shall perform the duties specified in the foregoing Article
2 directed and supervised by principal of school appointed by Gyeonggi Provincial Office of
Education.
Article 4(Term of employment) The term of employment is for a year(365 days).
Article 5(Airfare and Resignation)
1.The actual purchasing price of the airfare for Employee�s flight to Korea shall be
reimbursed by Employer within a month(30 days) upon working at the school based on the
economy class of the most direct flight available from Employee�s residence to the Incheon
International Airport in Korea.
a.Employee from outside of Korea: A one-way ticket to Korea will be reimbursed within a
month(30 days) from working at the school. Upon completion of Contract, one-way trip to
the airport of return for his/her home country will be reimbursed when the trip occurs
within the first 10 days as of termination of employment.
b.Employee in Korea: If Employee obtains his/her E2 visa by visiting the nearest country
from Korea, its round trip airfare is reimbursed by Employer within a month(30 days) from
working at the school. Upon completion of Contract, a one-way airfare is provided
pursuant to the foregoing 1-a.
2.If Employee should decide to resign during the Ter m of Employment, he/she must give
Employer a sixty(60) day prior written notice of resignation stating a date of and a reason
for resignation.
3. In all cases of Employee�s resignation without fulfilling the full year term, the airfare for
his/her return trip shall be borne by Employee, and his/her E2 visa shall be cancelled.
4. In case of the termination of Contract within six(6) months, Employee shall immediately
pay back 100% of the one -way airfare and the settlement allowance of 300,000 KRW to
Employer. If Employee works for six(6) months or more during the term of employment,
Employee�s obligation to pay back the airfare and settlement allowance of 300,000 KRW
shall be waived by Employer
Article 6(Work Place)
1. Employee shall work at one of the Gyeonggi elementary, middle, or high schools
appointed by Employer.
2. Upon completion of the first year term, Employee may request for a change of school
and region subject to approval by Employer, and this is not considered as a renewal of the
term.
Article 7(Work Hours)
1. Employee shall work eight( hours per day including lunch hour for five(5) calendar
days per week from Monday to Friday and shall not work on Saturdays, Sundays and
Korean national holidays.
2. The Work Hours of Employee shall follow the normal work schedule of civil servants of
the Korean Government; however, such Work Hours may be adjusted by school principal as
he/she deems appropriate as necessary.
3. Employee�s regular teaching hours shall not exceed twenty-two(22) hours per week.
Employee may be asked to teach extra hours within and/or out of the regular working hours.
Extra teaching should not exceed 6 hours per week without Employee�s consent.
4. If an employee does not fulfill his/her teaching quota of 22 hours per week, the
Employer may ask the Employee to teach classes in other subject areas, outside of English,
for the remaining hours.
5. For the extra class teaching hours aside from the normal 22 hours per week, Employee
shall be offered with supplementary class instruction pay at the rate of 20,000 KRW per
hour or use it as contribution holiday in which 8 hours� teaching will be considered as
one(1) day.
6. During school vacations, Employee shall be asked to participate in special classes or
English day camps up to 20 hours per week.
7. Employer may require Employee to perform duties overtime other than teaching classes
in addition to normal Work days and Work hours. In this case, overtime pay will be
provided (7,000 KRW/hour).
Article 8(Salary)
1. The pay scale is as follows; category 1 + 2.5mill. KRW; category 1 for 2.3 mill. KRW ;
category 2+ for 2.2 mill. KRW category 2 for 210 mill. KRW ; category 3 for 2mill. KRW;
category 4 for 180mill. KRW; category 5 for 170mill. KRW; category 6 for 160mill. KRW).
2. The Korean income tax (approx. 3% which is exempted for foreigners, except for
Canadians, for the first two employment years in Korea) and the national pension
contribution (approx. 9%, of which Employer pays for the half, refun dable for the US and
Canadian citizens at the end of Contract term) and the national health scheme (approx. 5%, of which Employer pays for the half) as required under Korean law shall be withheld each
month from Employee�s salary.
3. Employee�s salary shall be paid on the seventeenth(17) of each month. If this day falls
on a National Holiday, Saturday or Sunday, the salary will be paid on the immediately
preceding business day.
4. When Employee has not worked a full month, salary for that month shall be paid on a pro
rata daily basis either from the first day or until the last day of work.
5. If Employee should be absent from work without a prior approval, his or her salary for
that month shall be deducted by the amount calculated on a pro rata daily basis for the
number of unauthorized absent days.
6. Upon completion of a one-year contract, Employer shall pay Employee an extra 30
days� average wage as a severance pay for Employee�s continuous employment of one year.
7. Employee shall not claim against Employer any compensation and/or payment other than
those provided for in Contract.
8. Limited to category 1+ Employees only, when the contract is made/renewed within
GEPIK program, s/he may be eligible for salary raise up to the maximum GEPIK limit of
2,700,000 won by 100,000 KRW per year respectively. The increase is at the discretion of
Employer, neither automatic nor guaranteed, according to Employee�s teaching performance
and contributions made toward the achievement of the educational goals of GPOE.
9. If Employee obtains further qualifications such as a degree or certificate during the
contract term, if applicable, he/she will be promoted to the next employment category
(with corresponding raise in salary) the month following the date of course completion.
However, promotions shall be limited to one pay category increase per year. (ie. Category
5 to 4, or Category 2 to 2+ not Category 2 to 1)
Article 9(Contract Completion)
1. The Term of Employment stated in Article 4 may be renewed by a mutual written
agreement between Employer and Employee, provided that each renewedemployment term
is one(1) year.
2. The written notification of renewal or termination of Employment shall be provided two
months (60 days) prior to the expiration of Contract.
3. In the case of renewal of this contract pursuant to the foregoing 1, Employ ee shall be
given a fourteen day(14) (weekend and national holidays inclusive) additional home leave
vacation period which is extra, beyond the yearly paid leave. Home leave must be taken
during the vacation periods not conflicting with school schedules ei ther just before or just
after the contract year is completed.
4. In the event renewing Employee travels to his/her home country, Employee will be
reimbursed for his/her round-trip airfare based on economy class air-fare of the most
direct flight available from Incheon to the airport nearest to Employee�s residence within 2
weeks upon return to Korea.
5. In the event Employee does not travel to his/her home country, Employee will be given
the amount of money equivalent to the round-trip airfare based on the economy class rate
of Korean Airline within 2 weeks upon renewal of Contract. Vacation is used in the manner
pursuant to the foregoing 3.
6. If Employee completes the Term of Employment without the intention to renew and
leaves Korea within 10 days from t he expiration date, Employer shall provide the airfare
for Employee�s one way return flight to the employee�s home country either in the form of
reimbursement or direct purchase.
Article 10(Housing)
1. Employer shall provide Employee with housing. All efforts will be made to provide an
accommodation within walking distance to the school or near transport facilities limited to
rural areas. When long distance travel is necessary, Employer shall grant Employee a
commute subsidy based on Korean public transportation rate.
2. Employer shall decide on the type of housing and whether to provide Employee with
housing or a rent subsidy. Once decided, Employer�s decision shall not be subsequently
changed during the Term of Employment.
3. Housing selected by Employer may be, including but not limited to, a leased house,
dormitory, or an apartment. A single teacher will be provided with a one -room apartment
on or off campus, and a married teacher with dependents wi ll be provided with a residence with at least two bedrooms. Any and all fees, charges, costs, taxes, expenses, etc.
additional to monthly renting fees and/or key money incurred in using the housing shall be
borne by Employee(e,g. monthly electrical, water, gas fees). In case of moving, any cost
incurred shall be borne by Employee if the move is due to Employee�s personal matter (e.g.
marriage).
4. Employer may provide temporary housing until the appropriate housing for Employee
becomes available. If Employer is not able to provide housing for Employee(or if Employee
decides to find housing on their own), Employer shall provide Employee with 400,000 KRW
per month, as a rent subsidy, in lieu of the housing set forth in the foregoing 1.
5. If Employer provides housing to Employee, Employer may provide appliances and
furniture (refer to appendix 1). Employee shall not request or demand any other appliances
or furniture than those provided by Employer. Employee shall take the responsibility for
the maintenance and repair for the appliances and furniture provided by Employer.
6. Employer will provide Employee, for the first GEPIK assignment term only, with
300,000 KRW as settlement allowance within the first two weeks (14 calendar days) of
working at the school. Employee shall spend the money to buy commodities other than
those set forth under Article 10, item 5.

Article 11(Other Benefits)
1. Employer shall provide Employee with medical insurance pursuant to The National
Health Insurance Act of Korea(The National Health Insurance Act states all government
employees will be liable for 50% of costs). If Employee has his/her dependents living with
him/her in Korea, Employer will also pay for health insurance for them. 2. Employee who is working in a designated rural area shall be entitled to a paid allowance
of 100,000 KRW every month and additional 5 working days� paid leave during the
contract term.
Article 12(Paid Leave)
1. Employee shall be entitled to a paid leave for a total of twenty(20) working days during
the term of the employment. Paid leave may be taken at any time school is not in session,
and must be approved by school principal at least 15 days in advance. Weekends
(Saturdays and Sundays) and the Korean National Holidays do not count as vacation days.
If Employee renews the contract, up to 10 days of unused yearly paid leave may be rolled
over to the new contract period. This carried over paid leave may be used in the new
contract period, but it may not be rolled over into any subsequent contract period.
2. In case of a maternity leave, the first 60 calendar days shall be a paid leave by Employer.
Article 13(Sick Leave)
1. Employee shall be entitled to a paid sick leave if an illness or injury prevents him/her
from performing the duties under this contract, provided, however, that he/she obtains
Employer�s prior consent.
2. When Employee takes a sick leave for more than seven(7) consecutive days (inclusive
of a National Holiday, Saturday and Sunday), Employee shall submit a medical doctor�s
report to Employer.
3. Employee�s paid sick leave during the Term of Employment shall not exceed fifteen(15)
calendar days. If Employee requires a sick leave for more than fifteen(15) calendar days,
Employee may take a longer sick leave without pay.
4. Employee�s sick leave is limited to thirty(30) calendar days in total including paid and
unpaid leave.
Article 14(Special Leave)
1. Employee may take a Special Leave for a number of days as set forth below for each of
the following events;
a. Seven(7) consecutive calendar days for Employee�s marriage.
b. Seven(7) consecutive calendar days for the death of Employee�s parents or spouse;
five(5) consecutive calendar days for the death of Employee�s child.
c. Ninety(90) calendar days for a female Employee�s maternity leave.
d. In case of a damage to Employee�s residence in a natural disaster: for the period
Employer deems necessary according to the degree of damage.
e. If Employee is prosecuted for involvement in a criminal offense, Employer has the
authority to put Employee on a prosecution leave.
f. Special Leaves specified in items 1 -a,1-b, the first 60 days of 1 -c and 1-d are
paid by Employer. However, the item 1-e shall be available without pay.
Article 15(Office Regulations and Restrictions)
1. Employee shall faithfully observe his/her school principal�s requests on his/her duties as
defined in Contract.
2. Principal shall evaluate Employee�s performance of official duties.
3.Employee shall make every reasonable effort to fulfill their prescribed duties and
responsibilities according to the contract terms and conditions.
4. Employee shall make every reasonable effort to uphold the positive reputation of the
Korean teaching profession by conforming to the code of conduct as expected of teachers
by Korean society.
5. Without principal�s permission, Employee shall not be employed or involved in other paid
business (including a part-time job).
Article 16(Termination of the Contract)
1. Employer may terminate or cancel this Contract upon occurrence of any one of the
following events;
a. If Employee violates the laws of the Republic of Korea.
b. If Employee fails to perform or unsatisfactorily perform any of the duties stipulat ed
in this contract.
c. If Employee fails to perform continuously his/her duties for more than a week
without any excuse.
d. If any of the information provided in Employee�s application is found to intentionally
false or inaccurate.
e. If it is determined that the Employee is prevented from or incapable of performing
his/her duties set forth in Article hereof for a medical reason, whether it is a physical
or psychological ailment.(If requested by Employer, Employee must be immediately
available for a medical examination.)
f. If the sick leave used by Employee pursuant to Article 15 -6 hereof exceeds thirty
(30) calendar days.
2. In the event that this contract is terminated pursuant to the foregoing 1, school principal
shall give the employee a written letter of dismissal notice 15 days prior to the termination
of the contract, and pay Employee a pro rated salary based on the number of days
Employee actually worked. Employee shall be responsible for his/her return trip to his/her
home country. Employee�s visa will subsequently be cancelled.
3. In the event of termination of this Contract pursuant to any of the provision set forth in
the foregoing 1, within 6 months of this contract Employee shall immediately refund the
airfare to Employer according to Article 9, item 4. After 6 months of continuous
employment or longer, Employee is not required to repay this airfare.
4. If Employee is sentenced to a term of imprisonment (or any other more severe penalty),
Employee shall automatically be dismissed and Employer will not provide any financial
compensation.
Article 17 (Security Deposit)
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. Therefore, Employee shall agree in written form to
provide 300,000 KRW per month to school administration office either on or by eighteenth
(1 of every month for the first 3 months of employment until it amounts to a total of
900,000 KRW. Employee who has their own housing arrangement and married couples who
are both employed by GPOE shall also be required to provide the deposit to school
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 case that housing
damages or fees owing exceed the security deposit pursuant to the foregoing 1, Employer
is entitled to additional compensation up to the due amount owed and Employee will be
refunded their security deposit within 2 weeks after the termination of the contract.
Article 18(Governing Law, Language and Venue)
1.The terms of this contract and the rights and obligation of the parties hereto shall be
construed, interpreted and determined in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Korea.
2.The Governing language of the contract shall be Korean. The English translation of this
Contract is made for the purpose of convenience.
3. If a dispute or disagreement should arise in connection with or out of this Contract , the
parties hereto shall first try to resolve the issue to the mutual satisfaction of both parties.
However, if the parties fail to mutually resolve such disputes or disagreements or are
unable to reach a mutual settlement, their disputes or disagreements shall be finally
resolved by arbitration of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board.
Article 19(Signature) In witness whereof, the parties hereto sign the Contract in triplicate
on the date entered below with each party retaining one copy and submitting the third copy
to an immigration office for Employee�s E2 visa application.

[i4NI]

For the GEPIK people, I have a question,

[Korussian]

[John Henry]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[fromtheuk]

The wording states if you stay within GEPIK, not the same school.

If you're right, would I stay at the same school? I love pain.

[wylies99]