Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mdsb87]

Hi,

Have been going over a contract and there is a clause stating that any sick days will be deducted from our holidays. I brought it up with the recruiter who simply said "it is becoming standard these days."

What to do next? Is this really standard?

[ttompatz]

[mdsb87]

We asked them to change it but they say 'standard' - desperate couple seeking job though so not really a deal breaker...

[curlyhoward]

[mdsb87]

Given the current situation first timers - especially couples dont have many options...

[AsiaESLbound]

Yuck. I guess it's still a better than nothing for a young grad fresh out of school. During lean times like these, it's appalling how people can be used and abused out of their desperation. On the flip side, you will only look bad and lose any respect they have for you if you actually use sick days as co-teachers and Korean teachers are expected to work sick unless in the hospital for something serious or on 1 month maternity leave. One co-teacher only got 1 day off for her fathers death and that was public school. They even worked on school anniversary day even though it was supposed to be a day off. Instead of hiring outside help, they were required to sweep broken glass, squeegee water from a neglected leaking roof, and pick up the mess from the typhoon.

I've seen Korean teachers so sick they couldn't work or even talk, but still went through the motion of baby sitting classes. They are pushovers, because they are slaving to get that needed recommendation to either be offered a new contract or move on in their careers. It's expected of them to rough it, but for us, they know we didn't come here to be slaved when we care less about any recommendation of theirs that means little in another country. If you were married to a Korean and staying the long term, you'd be on F-2 visa and legally working for yourself so you wouldn't be answering to a school boss except one you have a decent mutual relationship where you were hired in person. In that case, they have to treat you good and be flexible to your needs as you can easily quit without effecting your visa status.

[curlyhoward]

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Do most Koreans know how much hogwon owners are damaging the reputation of the country to foreigners?

How many people will go home and tell horror stories about their experience here in Korea?

[tophatcat]

Most Koreans don't know or care in the slightest what a few foreigners say when they go back home. Just bring in another Joe so Min-ji can practice English.

Most people back home don't know or care in the slightest about some horror stories or experiences of foreigners in Korea.

No matter how bad the reputation, Wonderland always finds another eager Joe/Jane who will sign-up thinking, 'it probably will not happen to me."

[WadRUG'naDoo]

Looks to me they're starting a fight with you before you've even signed a contract.

The more the demand falls, the more they'll try to get away with employee abuse. Getting to a point well worse than they need to go.

[some waygug-in]

What you do is walk away and find a better offer. If you are going to accept that, then don't complain about it.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[wylies99]

Because many Americans are coming to Korea to work, it's somehow their fault that rotten hagwon owners cheat them? Stop making excuses for bad employers who shouldn't be in the ESL industry in the first place. The GNP of the USA has nothing to do with hagwon owners breaking contracts and breaking Korean law with no pension and health insurance offered to their employees. If the Korean government got serious about cleaning up the hagwon industry they could do it in no time. Why the Korean government allows many hagwons to avoid paying taxes is proof that the tail is wagging the dog.

[ttompatz]

[ginsenglove]