Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oldfatfarang]

I'm changing from the 2008-2009 EPIK contract (renewing).

Quite a few changes. Can anyone who's done this provide info, please.

(1) ARTICLE 9 # 3 Paid Sick Leave:
Is sick leave paid for sick days taken, or is it deducted from the montly salalry? Article 9 #3 suggests that sick leave days are not paid and are deducted from monthly salary.

(2) If I renew - and therefore change from 2008 to 2009 contract:
- Is my flight remimbursement (OLD contract) still paid? in addition to

- the Contract Renewal Allowance (2K) (the NEW contract) and/or
- the Entrance Allowance 1.3 K (new contract)?

(3) When is my Severence Pay for the OLD contract paid. e.g. end of OLD contract or is it accumulated for 2 years and paid at end of the NEW contract?

(4) Do I get an Exit Allowance at the end of the NEW contract?

Any info appreciated.

[Ramen]

[cruisemonkey]

There's nothing to interperate.

[RufusW]

[cruisemonkey]

[cruisemonkey]

[oldfatfarang]

Not paying the Contract Renewal Allowance hurts. (I'll check with the school.) There's not much of a financial incentive to renew the 2008 contract if the CRA isn't paid - just a paid 10 day holiday and flight home (which I can't do in 10 days, so I usually go to Thailand). The renewal salary only increases by 100,000 a month.

However, I see the Multiple School and Remote Area Allowances have both increased from 100,000 to 150,000. So that's another 100,00 a month (but that's no increase, it only covers inflation).


If they don't pay the 2k renewal - I could be better leaving and spending 4-5 months in Thailand and then returning for a new contract/school next March. This because I'll only receive another 1.200,000 won pa in salary and another 100,000 in extra severance (total 1.300,000 pa).

That's nothing to write home about. Feel free to check my maths. Any comments appreciated.

[RufusW]

I'd take the exit flight the '08 contract offers to get to Thailand, then get that new '09 contract after your 4-5 months there. They'll give you 1.3, plus 0.3 settlement for the new contract, and you can certainly get from Thailand to here on less than that. So that's a little perk. But maybe you'll have more power to get the school/location etc that you want if you stay in the system and renew immediately.

BTW, how much money do you think you'd spend living in Thailand for 4-5 months?

[oldfatfarang]

Yep, I'm tempted to go live in Thailand again. The maths are just not in resigning if they don't pay the CRA.

However, my school is the best I've ever taught in. It would be a real shame to leave here - especially if they come to the party with other 'benefits' (that we shouldn't talk about on this forum).

Thailand varies. It costs about $1,000 a month for the first 2 months (living like a king etc) , but then it gets really cheap as locals recognise you and your new suntan stops inflated prices (rent, food etc).

For long stays, I usually budget about $700 - $800 a month (about right for about 4-5 months). In long stays you start to get sneaky costs (visa runs, boredom shopping, etc), but I don't drink (much), eat local, and I've had my last Thai 'girlfriend' - so it's really cheap for me to live there like a king for little money. Still thinking.

[Morgen]

So you'd rather spend a few thousand dollars, waste a few months and leave an awesome school rather than get an extra two weeks' vacation, a 10% raise and a free flight to and from anywhere you want, just because they're not paying you to stay as much as you wanted? Does not compute. Can I have your job when you leave?

[gazz]

I've still not fully got my head round this but, here is my take on it if you re-sign (assuming you stay at the same school).

The old contract states that the school will cover your flight from and to your[u] HOME [/u]country.

1. My school paid for my flight to Korea after the first month of my contract, so they SHOULD pay for my return flight back home.

2. I should also get the contract completion bonus (1 months sal) which is stated on the old contract.

The money for both 1 & 2 will be paid to me within 1 month of my new contract starting.

If you leave Korea they will almost certainly wire this money back to your [u]home[/u] bank account within a month I believe.

I SHOULD then get the 1.3 million 'entry' allowance which will cover my flight from my home country to Korea, for the start of my new contract.

People that re-sign will not get the 300,000 settlement allowance.

A note for people that are going to re-sign with their school. It might be wise to get two single tickets if you go home, as opposed to a return because of the reasons stated above.

Article 13 part 8 gives some flexibility for the school and yourself to negotiate basically all of your contract, but it is all totally at the schools discretion. So for the people that have built up good relations with your schools you should fine and dandy!!!!

[cruisemonkey]

[Michelle]

[Michelle]

[cruisemonkey]