Korean Job Discussion Forums

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

Is it completely normal to have a security deposit take out of your paycheck for the first few months you work at a school? How much do you pay, and for how long a period of time? What do you think about it?

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I have told every employer that if they expect to take a security deposit above, say 60,000 won, I won't work for them.

Yes, I have walked out of an interview based on that premise.

Two others backed off of it.

Depends how desperate you are (or how stupid).

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

I was told about 40 percent of Seoul hagwans take this measure? Hm. I really am not the type to have wild parties or take out my frustrations with work out on my couch.

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

But things like utility and phone bills generally don't arrive until after you've left. I'm somewhat surprised that every school doesn't take a deposit.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

600k spread over 3 paychecks, got it all back no problem.

Blue Flower · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 12:42 am Post subject:

My school didn't require it, and as for the utilities bills that may accrue, and sting the school - they know when the teacher is leaving, they should be able to figure out how to get an early reading done, before the last pay is given.

It's not rocket science. I personally would not pay any money as a security "deposit". Bet it's pretty hard to get back.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

I read a while ago that it's actually illegal for employers to do that... yet it doesn't stop them. I'll try and dig up the source.

Edit: Got this from EFL-Law...

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Never, have or will agree to it. I pay my bills, they don't stiff me, I won't stiff them.

Homer · Guest

There is some logic behind taking a secutiry deposit.
Much like many landlords backhome will take one when you rent an appartment (first and last months rent in davance).
My school took one the first year I was with them and paid it back at the end of the year.
It made sense to me and I looked at it as money in the bank in the end.
Whats the big deal with them protecting themselves from potential teachers who might dammage the appartments or leave heaps of unpaid bills (Even if as Blue F says its not rocket science to get early readings)?

I can see why it would bother some but in the end it makes sense for the schools to do so.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

my director will probably sting me with a 'leaving' deposit, however last year she got stung with huge bills from previous teachers who stopped paying their utlities (a new teacher arrived at his apartment to find that the power was cut off after 2 days after the old 'forgot' to pay the power bill). I think that an upfront security deposit may ring some alarm bells for me that the school has had a runner in the past.

Which suggest one of two things, that the school is dodgy or the school has hired dodgy teachers.