Korean Job Discussion Forums

[curiousaboutkorea]

Here's a question I thought I'd be able to find in a search, but was unable to turn up anything clear.

If you renew your contract for another year, are you entitled to a flight ticket home and back? (this is considering that the first year contract guarantees a round-trip ticket)

Here's a scenario. You get hired from home (US or wherever). Your school flies you to Korea. Before your contract ends, you decide you want to stay with the school another year. Your school should surely agree to fly you home at the end of the second year. However, should the school give you another round-trip ticket (like for a vacation, or break between terms/contracts etc)? This is to say, if you work 2 years/contracts, should you get 2 tickets?

I hope this is clear.

Granted, I know it ultimately comes down to what the teacher and school negotiate, but anyone have any advice on what 'should' happen.

[nomad-ish]

here is something i posted on another thread that you may find useful:


my understanding of the contract is that you should get return airfare to your home country and 2 weeks of home leave vacation when you renew a PS contract. however, keep in mind, if you don't finish at least 6 months of your new contract, then you will be required to pay half of the return airfare back. (basically, if you work two full years then you would get 2 return airfares).

you're also entitled to your severance pay, although some schools may prefer you to cash out when you eventually leave their school (i believe it is up to you ultimately).

[broken76]

Legally schools are not entitled to give you another set of tickets. Public schools do have it in their contract to give you a set of tickets as well as a signing vacation to return home for a little bit to recharge.
The return ticket is a requirement of immigration but if you're not renewing then the school is only obligated to provide a return ticket when you finish your contract whether that is after one year or ten.
Private schools unless they really, really like you won't give you a vacation between contracts because it would mean that the school will be without a teacher during that period of time and they are not obligated to do so. I've only seen a handful of teachers get extra vacation for renewing. It is possible to get a resigning bonus though from the school, it is a compromise between both parties. Since the school doesn't have to fly someone new in they pay some money and for the teacher they get to receive some extra money that the school paid. In most cases about 500,000 won is reasonable for both parties. Again it's money neither side is obligated to pay or receive but it is a fair trade between both parties.
As for the severance pay it is severance pay and is only required to be paid at when you finish working there, again whether it is after one year ot ten years. Some schools and businesses prefer paying in yearly installments though to keep the amounts reasonable.

[conbon78]

What I would do is talk to your boss...if they agree to pay you even part for the plane ticket, take it. Otherwise, tell them that you would like to resign, but starting in a couple of weeks. That way you can benefit from a roundtrip again.

[Seoulio]

[curiousaboutkorea]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I guess I'm lucky in negotiating a 2 week vacation to go home (in addition to my normal vacation). It's not paid, but I don't care since I'm not working. Talked the employer into paying half my ticket home for the visit.