Korean Job Discussion Forums

gbminnock · Joined: 10 Jun 2009

Hi I have been offered a job in Seoul South Korea. My normal working hours are from 1-10 everyday. However now I have been told that for the first month in August I have to do intensive courses, so possible I could be starting work at 9 and not finishing until 11 that night.
Im a little worried about this as I could be working 14 hours a day which is a little much for me as I haven't taught before.

Is this normal and can I refuse to do it? The overtime pay is 15,000 won, so its not that much.

If I hold out for another job will I also end up doing the intensive hours there anyway.

Thanks,
Gary

gregtheman100 · Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Location: Busan

I have some friends with schedules like that and they say it absolutely sucks.

It sounds like you are worried about your work schedule. I suggest working at a Public School Way more vacation and you are guaranteed only 40 hours a week.

I don't mind putting in a hard day of work, but that schedule sounds like it will make you burn out.

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

Most hogwans will have intensive classes in August and also in January. That's because the kids are on vacation from their regular school, so their parents send them to extra classes at hogwans to make good use of their time off.

Technically, they can't force you to work overtime according to Korean labour laws. In reality, they rarely give you a choice though and you will be looked down on as a troublesome employee if you refuse.

If they expect you to work from 9 to 11, that's a lot more hours than most hogwans will expect you to work during intensives. The most I ever worked during an intensive session was 9 to 9, but it was only for Tuesdays and Thursdays...it was more like 9 to 7 the other days of the week.

Tell them if they want you to work long hours like that then they're going to have to give you a higher overtime rate. It's not worth burning yourself out for 15,000 Won an hour. Believe me, they'll be raking in the cash on your back!

If I were you I would keep looking.

billietea · Joined: 03 May 2009 Location: South Korea

TwoFold · Joined: 31 Mar 2009

Yeah, that definitely sounds like a bad gig. 15,000 won per hour OT is terrible imo.

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:28 am Post subject:

gbminnock · Joined: 10 Jun 2009

Still dunno what to do. Sad

tenchu77491 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009

Put it this way,

I work 12pm to 5pm, and I do classes from 1pm to 5pm and 2pm to 5pm. I get paid 2.2 million won per month.

Now think about your job. Is it worth it?

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

If they find that you'll put up with that crap for one month, there is nothing to stop them from giving you that schedule the next month, the month after that, and the whole damn year. My first hogwon had me working from 10am-9pm "just for this month" my second month. That schedule didn't stop until I threatened to quit 6 months later.

Don't do it, OP. It's not worth it.

neil537 · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Location: Incheon, South Korea

Even your standard hours (1-10) are too much in my opinion. I work at a hagwon and my longest day is 2-9, with a couple of days 3:30-8:30

Walk away from this one........

No_hite_pls · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject:

I would never take this position.

There is so much better out there even for a new teacher.