Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nstick13]

I've been accepted with SMOE for next year, and was told by EPIK (and reminded again by my POE) that by switching provinces next year (after working with EPIK this year) I forfeit my exit and entrance allowance (and, I believe the settlement allowance). Also, we receive no renewal allowance.

After re-reading that section of my contract, there is NO indication that this is to be forfeited. In fact, it says it shall be administered after completing the contract according to the terms laid out in the contract. Their's nothing in the contract regarding forfeiting a contract is within the renewal section. And in the renewal section, it makes it seem that the renewal allowance is in lieu of the entrance allowance. Why do they make us lose money for changing provinces?

It seems, legally, that since we're not "renewing" we should be entitled to an exit allowance. Has anyone taken EPIK to task over this before? How would one go about taking recourse for this? It seems silly, and frankly unfair, that moving within Korea causes the loss of at least 1.2 million won.

[Weigookin74]

Yes, you should get the 1.2 (or is it 1.3?) exit allowance. It says it on your contract. It doesn't say you don't get it if you transfer. Sounds like your local supervisor is just being a d!c. Speak up to the highest authority level or just go to their office and refuse to leave until you get it. If you get some nob that starts arguing and yelling at you, yell and argue back.

[Fox]

That doesn't make any sense. Surely either you should get your exit and entrance allowances as if you're quitting and starting a new job, or you should get your renewal allowance as if you're renewing. The only situation that I know if in the contract that results in you getting neither is if you don't finish your contract.

[Ramen]

In reality, the OP is renewing and transferring to another PS. Thus, they should give him renewal bonus (2 million won). However, with current multiple PS agencies like EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, etc. Legally speaking, the OP is entitled to exit and extrance allowance as though he is quitting at one school and starting fresh at another school.

Instead of having multiple agencies like EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, etc., they should just combine it into EPIK. It will make things much simpler.

[jrwhite82]

I know for GEPIK that if you "transfer" to another GEPIK school you do not get a renewal bonus or renewal vacation. You start fresh like you would at a new school. However, the old school will provide you with your severance bonus, your 900,000 deposit that you paid out earlier and it will give you a one way ticket home. However, it will not give you a ticket to Thailand or cash money. (Unless you have a great relationship with your supervisor and he hooks you up).

The new school will give you the 300,000 settlement allowance and you might be able to score an incoming ticket if you are lucky and went home in between contracts. But if you don't have that incoming ticket to show them you aren't getting diddly.

There are no transfers allowed within GEPIK anymore (ever?)

[Stella885]

I'm under GEPIK, but i believe they're all similar in this regard.

The entrance allowance isn't given bc it states the flight must be from your home country to Korea.

The renewal bonus isn't given because its not considered a renewal. SMOE and EPIK are considered two differenct entities and therefore you are not renewing. In GEPIK's case, you can't even get the pay raise if you're coming in from SMOE or EPIK bc the pay raise applies to only experience within the GEPIK program.

There is also no exit allowance, because you have to leave the country.

You should receive the 300 settlement though since it is not a renewal.

The only way to get everything you want is to go home and come back before starting the new contract. But with the contract end and start dates, that is impossible.

[World Traveler]

Article 11 (4) :
http://koreanhorizons.com/doc/EPIK.pdf

You're screwed, OP.

[World Traveler]