Korean Job Discussion Forums

SpiralStaircase · Joined: 14 Feb 2008

For teachers that signed a two-year contract with EPIK:

-Are you entitled to extra holiday time (home leave) at the end of the first year?
-Are you entitled to the entry/exit allowance at the end of the first year?
-Are you entitled to severance following the completion of the first year?

These are the standard benefits of renewing a yearly contract. If they are not offered, why would people sign the two year contracts EPIK Gangwon-do are trying to push?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

blonde researcher · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject:

EPIK never offers 2 year contracts. Every E2 visa is for 12 months only. Then if the school wants to keep you and you agree to stay you get another visa for 12 months, or maybe an extension to your present visa for just 3 months or 6 months.

By default: all E2 visas have a stamp of 12 months on them in immigration, never 24 months
This is the same situation for hagwon jobs or EPIK jobs (12 months only at a time )
Who is offering you this magical 2 year EPIK contract? You need to get a few more facts sorted on this offer

SpiralStaircase · Joined: 14 Feb 2008

I don't have a soft copy of the contract.

I know for a fact that all EPIK teachers in my area that re-signed with EPIK under the new contract (March 2009+) were given two-year contracts. In fact, I was told that they are no longer awarding one-year contracts to returning teachers in Gangwon-do.

Immigration did/will accept the contracts however you will have to get your Visa extended in one years time.

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

Well, I just finished my TWO YEAR CONTRACT so they do indeed exist. I know of others who also have TWO YEAR CONTRACTS. It's true that there are no two-year visas, so you must get that renewed at the end of your first year. Also, you must be approved by your school/EPIK at the end of your first year to complete your two-year contract. Gangwondo EPIK teachers at the end of their first year get: 2-3 wks vacation (depending on what time of year you started) and 2-wks home leave. We used to get our airfare reimbursed, but now we get 2,000,000 won "allowance" to use as you wish.. either to go home, somewhere else, or pocket it. You don't get an "exit allowance" until you leave Korea for good... and that's now 1,300,000 won instead of reimbursement like it used to be. Of course you get a month's salary as severance if you complete 12 months employment.. each year. So, you'll get severance at the end of your first and second years...

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Gangwon offers 2-year contracts to people who renew after their first year. They get all benefits the same as if they were to sign two 1-year contracts plus an extra million won if they complete the 2-year deal. No penalties for bailing after one additional year.

Its meant as an extra incentive for experienced folks to stick around.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

SpiralStaircase · Joined: 14 Feb 2008

Thank you for your feedback. That was the answer I was hoping for.

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

We don't get a new contract after 1-year. So, it's a two-year contract. As with any professional jobs, you have yearly performance reviews. If your performance is lacking, you may be either reprimanded or let go. That doesn't really have much to do with your contract.. no matter what the length...

lookingforworkinasia · Joined: 14 Dec 2007

I signed one of those. I wasn't exactly happy about it though. They just sent it to me the day before I was scheduled to take my home leave, and when I asked about it they said a one year wasn't possible anymore. They also assured me I get all the same vacation time, travel allowance, etc. It's not written on the contract though, so I'm pretty skeptical about that. Had I known this going in I probably would have refused my renewal. I generally wouldn't trust the POE further than what's actually in black and white on the paper I signed. I suspect it's a "book-cooking" tactic to inflate the numbers of foreign teachers, which is fine, but they're not contractually obligated to honor policy and that is a huge concern for me.

We'll see what happens, and it is very encouraging to hear other people have done the same without any problem. Although, I am curious if anyone knows how to break said contract after one year? That is something I want to do, and I'd like to still get my exit allowance, bonus, etc.

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

billietea · Joined: 03 May 2009 Location: South Korea

Gangwondo is telling us we can have the same contract (which we haven't received yet...come on my ARC expires in 10 days)...and sign it for two years.

It is hit and miss with the schools here...I have a really bad elementary school...others aren't as angry with their treatment here...mostly in the middle schools they seem to be happier.

zxion · Joined: 08 Jul 2009

2 year contract IS a choice and NOT forced on!!
They don't enforce it. And how does 2 year contract a tactic to inflate the numbers??? Do you really think they count the number of foreigners once every 2 years or so??? Even then it doesn't make sense! Do you idiots ever think before posting???

"I have a friend who is on a 2 year contract with Gangwondo. He essentially said that it is not worth it to sign the two year contract.

March 2009 was start of his second year of 2 year contract. If he didn't sign on to 2 year contract last year, this year, he would've gotten automatic 100,000 won EPIK raise and another 200,000 won for EPIK level bump up. He didn't get none of those raises because he is locked on to the salary that he originally signed on to for two years."

There must been a really big mistake or your friend is just an idiot for not asking!
Even with a 2 year contract you will get your level raise in between the contract and the extra money with it.

After reading many posts in this site, I came to this conclusion. All the geeks complaining about this and that are just pure losers and never and I mean never had a actual job (not counting McDonalds) with responsibilities back home.

Tell your so called friend to call the POE or his/her district coordinator for help. He/she will get all the money back! What a fool for not knowing that or even looking into it!
Or you are just lying, making this bullcrap story!

In conclusion: 2 year contract = all the benefits of one year contract PLUS extra one million won after 2 year completion bonus!

Any others saying otherwise is a fool who had no guts or balls to ask around or claim what is theirs!

TheUrbanMyth, you are a fool for writing such a post!
TheUrbanMyth wrote "So this two year contract is essentially still 2 one year contracts as you must not only renew your visa but be also be approved. The two years then equates to "We'll try you out for a year, and if we like you, we'll hire you on for another year."

YOU ARE THE BIGGEST LOSER AND IDIOT I HAVE EVER MET!!!
As I said earlier, he never never had a job back home! There should be a test to stop idiots like him coming in to this country or any other!

Seriously, I guess it's not your fault for not being able to get a job back home.
I mean what can you do if the companies don't want to hire a LOSER!

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SpiralStaircase · Joined: 14 Feb 2008