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aneikamcd66
Joined: 17 Jul 2010
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:06 pm Post subject: GEPIK Pay Increase Refused |
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Ok GEPIK folks, need your help on this one.
Section 9 of our conract states:
" 9. If Employee obtains further degree or certificate during the contract term, he/she will be promoted to the next applicable employment category (with corresponding raise in salary)in the month following once the necessary document has been submitted. However, promotions shall be limited to one pay category increase per year. (ie Category 3 to 2, Category 2 to 2+; not Category 2 to 1)"
Here is my situation:
I started my second year with GEPIK in August 2010 (with a different school.) Because I have 1 years' experience I was bumped up from a category 3 to category 2 (from 2 mil to 2.1 mil.) in my new contract.
I obtained my TEFL certification in September 2010. Based on section 9's wording I think I should be bumped up to category 2 plus (2.2 mil) but I'm being told I cant be because I'm already category 2.
My argument is that the categories listed in the contract are our base salaries. If I get the certification at any category level, I should be entitled to the 100,000Won increase.
I realize section 9 also states, "...However, promotions shall be limited to one pay category increase per year. (ie Category 3 to 2, Category 2 to 2+; not Category 2 to 1)..." However, I interpret that to mean I'm limited to 1 pay increase WITHIN the contract period. For example, if I start off at category 3 and obtain my TEFL cetification AND Master's degree, I would only get the increase once and not 2 due to the limitation.
Thoughts?
Any advice on how to fight this? |
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bobbybigfoot
Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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Geezus, how do you guys do it working for such a small salary? And for the board to not give the extra 100K a month is just lame.
I started three years ago at 2.2 and have climbed substantially higher.
This is why I don't work for the public board. The pay sucks. |
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notinKS
Joined: 11 Jul 2010
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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Best thing to do is call or email your coordinator. That's what they're there for-they should have the answers to any contract problems. |
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lowpo
Joined: 01 Mar 2007
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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notinKS wrote: |
Best thing to do is call or email your coordinator. That's what they're there for-they should have the answers to any contract problems. |
They won't give you the raise after the contract has been signed. You have to wait for your next contact to get the raise. You did sign the current contract, before you got the TEFL cert. |
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tokkibunni8
Joined: 13 Nov 2009
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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Since you're already at category 2, getting a Tesol will not bump you up in pay grade.
In order to be at 2+ you must satisfied one of the requirements. Yes, it sucks but getting a TESOL will not automatically bump you up 100k if you don't meet the pay grade requirements.
Pay grade 2+ (2.2mill) requires that you satisfied all of pay grade 3 plus one of the following;
1. a masters degree
2. teacher's certificate
3. or be employed as a pay grade 2 for one full year within Gepik.
Unless you meet one of those, you'll have to wait... |
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aneikamcd66
Joined: 17 Jul 2010
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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tokkibunni8 wrote: |
Since you're already at category 2, getting a Tesol will not bump you up in pay grade.
In order to be at 2+ you must satisfied one of the requirements. Yes, it sucks but getting a TESOL will not automatically bump you up 100k if you don't meet the pay grade requirements.
Pay grade 2+ (2.2mill) requires that you satisfied all of pay grade 3 plus one of the following;
1. a masters degree
2. teacher's certificate
3. or be employed as a pay grade 2 for one full year within Gepik.
Unless you meet one of those, you'll have to wait... |
I'm not understandin this. The contract says if you get the certification WITHIN the contract term. Why is the WITHIN being ignored? |
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Fox

Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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The contract seems pretty clear to me: one increase in pay grade per year, maximum. If you had finished your TEFL certification during your first year, then you'd have received the increase. Because you all ready went up a grade this year, you can't go up another one regardless of the circumstances. |
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Kurtz
Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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bobbybigfoot wrote: |
Geezus, how do you guys do it working for such a small salary? And for the board to not give the extra 100K a month is just lame.
I started three years ago at 2.2 and have climbed substantially higher.
This is why I don't work for the public board. The pay sucks. |
True, but many schools offer an After School Program, that's an extra million per month in my case. |
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Kurtz
Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Fox wrote: |
The contract seems pretty clear to me: one increase in pay grade per year, maximum. If you had finished your TEFL certification during your first year, then you'd have received the increase. Because you all ready went up a grade this year, you can't go up another one regardless of the circumstances. |
Correct it seems, However, promotions shall be limited to one pay category increase per year |
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tokkibunni8
Joined: 13 Nov 2009
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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[/quote]
I'm not understandin this. The contract says if you get the certification WITHIN the contract term. Why is the WITHIN being ignored?
[/quote]
"If employee obtains further qualifications such as a degree......IF APPLICABLE, he or she will be promoted to the next category."
The Korean part of the contract is the binding part. I'm almost sure that it states something along the line of satisfying the pay category first to get the pay increase. |
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aneikamcd66
Joined: 17 Jul 2010
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not understandin this. The contract says if you get the certification WITHIN the contract term. Why is the WITHIN being ignored?
[/quote]
"If employee obtains further qualifications such as a degree......IF APPLICABLE, he or she will be promoted to the next category."
The Korean part of the contract is the binding part. I'm almost sure that it states something along the line of satisfying the pay category first to get the pay increase.[/quote]
Ah! OK. Actually just spoke with the coordinator. The contract says I'd be promoted to the next APPLICABLE category. My situation isnt applicable to any of the categories. But next year I'll be bumped to category 1 so I'm cool now.
Also, it's good to see there's no incentive for increasing your credentials within GEPIK. SMH. I'll be looking at hagwons next year. |
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aneikamcd66
Joined: 17 Jul 2010
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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BTW, thanks for your imput everyone! |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China
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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 4:27 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
I'm not understandin this. The contract says if you get the certification WITHIN the contract term. Why is the WITHIN being ignored? |
First, is there a Korean version? Does it say "within" in the contract in the Korean version? Get a Korean to help answer this.
Second, the way I negotiate these things is face to face and verbal. I know it's not the legal way, but I make sure they put their mouth where their ink is (so to speak).
If you did not verbally make this aware to them that you would train to be more qualified and have higher pay, then you should not expect higher pay.
The rationale is this, if I employ someone to put bandaids on my students at my school (assuming I am the principal in this case) and that person becomes a brain surgeon, am I obligated to pay brain surgeon salaries instead of the basic nurse at the school salary?
Do they really want to hire a more qualified person and pay more? I highly doubt it. They put you on a pay scale, and it's SET, set in stone.
I had an issue about transportation back in February with a new manager for an afterschool program. The 1st manager agreed to pay ALL transportation costs. Then the 4th manager decided she didn't want to pay me for transportation to training sessions.
I emailed other teachers and asked them their opinion. This angered the manager, and we mutually ended the contract.
If it really matters to you, push it. THEY DON'T OWN YOU. Let me repeat, THEY DON'T OWN YOU.
I am the kind of person to just walk in the day after pay day and sit there doing nothing. When they ask me why I am not in class, I would happily tell them to negotiate a higher salary. Another option is to find a way for them to mutually end the contract.
If you really want a higher salary, it's better to find a mutual way to end things and get another school. Push the English translation, if you want offer to do overtime, but in the end you expect more pay. Something.
It's up to you. Is it worth it right now in your life to make a change or can you just see the year out and find another school? |
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