Korean Job Discussion Forums

[drama_addict]

So has SMOE been merged into EPIK?

I've been trying to research it but the SMOE and EPIK websites haven't been much help.

I work under SMOE and have already recontracted with the same vacation time and other benefits as my first contract, but have heard conflicting reports that the new SMOE contracts for many have less vacation days, and newbies have even lesser.

This is related to EPIK giving less vacation days as well?

[nukeday]

my smoe contract had the usual 21 vacation days.

[OculisOrbis]

EPIK is basically just the public recruitment agency for korean PS's. SMOE is a provincial office of education and, historically, used their own recruiting division. They have just turned to having EPIK for most of their recruiting and screening of prospective teachers instead of doing it in house. If you want SMOE now, you basically need to apply through EPIK and request Seoul as your desired work location.

Nothing has really changed, teachers have never worked for EPIK they are employees of the POE where they are placed. For example if you are teaching in Chungamdo province, the Chungnam Office of Education (CNOE) your employer. It doesnt, and has never mattered, whether you were placed by EPIK or another recuiter - the POE is your employer.

EPIK gives every POE a template contract. Each POE, and even sometimes counties within the POE, can tailor that contract how they see fit. Simply put, there is no standard contract. The one you sign is the one that matters - although they will rarely, if ever, modify anything in the contract they offer you if you dont like it. It's generally a take it or leave it offer. And yes, the general trend is that contracts are slowly getting worse and worse each year for foreign PS teachers.