Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gabranth]

Hi guys,

managed to get a last minute deal and Ive been fast tracked. The rep. is happy to put me in touch with a gypopo to talk about the school and its work conditions.

What questions in particular, should I make a priority to ask?

Thanks!

[Skippy]

The paper work? Ask about the paper work. Yea a school is okay if you have to teach 5 hours a day but becomes impossible if every day you have to do 2 hours of paperwork. And most of the paperwork is useless.

Also check out the expectations on prepping and other work. Look at the non teach hour requirements. Once again it is ok if you only work 5 hours but then have to do an extra hour of desk warming because a director expects you in at 1:00 when classes only start at 3:00.

[OculisOrbis]

Get a copy of the contract that you can review before you talk to them. Post it in the 'contract review' thread for input on red flags and illegal clauses.

Heres a few questions to ask, but theres many more:

Ask if pension and health insurance are deducted (and submitted) in the proper amount. Ask if a detailed pay statement is provided at the end of every month. Ask about the apartment they provide. Ask about vacation - how many days, do they consider a sat and sun to be part of the vacation, are the days consecutive, do you have choice on vacation dates or are they determined by management. Ask about hours at work vs teaching hours. What is a teaching hour - 45 min, 50 min, 60 min. Is overtime available or expected. Whats the OT rate. Ask why other teachers have left. Ask how long they stayed before leaving. Ask for the contact info for other current and, especially, some former foreign teachers. If they won't give it up, don't sign......Actually if you ask all these questions and theyre really shady, youre offer will get pulled anyway.

If they make it through this screening with satisfactory responses and you decide to sign; congrats, you have reduced the chances of getting a really bad job and/or employer by about 50%.

[ttompatz]

Work conditions:
HOW MANY CLASSES per week, NOT how many class hours per week.
IS the pay on time and correct?
DO they actually pay overtime or use creative book-keeping to avoid it?
Do you have the NHIC medical plan booklet?
What rate of tax do you pay? (if 3.3-4.5% then you will get screwed - I promise).
What extra (unpaid work) are you expected to do?
Office hours? Meetings?

Quality of life stuff:
How far from work to home?
How far to the nearest large store (like e-mart, lotte-mart or home plus?
How / when do they get their holidays? do they know far enough in advance to actually book tickets at a decent rate?

.

[kimdeal54]