Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MoonArisa]

First, apologies if the post is misplaced or duplicated, I didn't find one through the search function.

Having yet received a contract, but reading through various topics and posts, I was wondering what format the contact came in?
Does it come in the body of an e-mail? In a Word document? As a PDF?

Assuming any of the above, where the contract could be put to a Word document, is it appropriate and could you do a "tracked-changes" version of the contract so as to show exactly what you wish changed and/or included in the contract? Or would this be seen as "insulting" to the schools and/or recruiters?

I am thinking for things that are missing but mainly things you want to be sure are complied with (such as, for example, a pay date: "10th of the month").

[ttompatz]

[MoonArisa]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[thegadfly]

MoonArisa,

Why do you find it surprising that a company would not want to alter its contract?

If you have something significant to offer that most other candidates are lacking, then perhaps you may have some luck negotiating, but chances are, there are folks with your qualifications willing to work for the company, with the contract left as-is...so why go to the bother of changing things for you?

If the contract has clauses that you feel need to be changed, take it as a sign that you would not want to work for that company. Clauses don't get put into a contract on accident (and if they do, do you really want to work somewhere that has "accidents" of that type?).

[MoonArisa]

Thanks for the comment, thegadfly.

You may have misinterpreted, just as I may have not expressed myself clearly.

I absolutely agree with you, there's nothing more to say there.

My surprise was at the strict difference between a private and public school (i.e. public not willing to consider negotiation/suggestions/changes, and a private willing to do so), be it in the details or in general. There's no question that a contract that has clauses by "accident" or anything suspicious may not be worth the time as it could eventually lead to more issues down the road.

Personally, I think everyone should be open to suggestions, whether they accept them or not is a choice thereafter. Knowing in advance that public schools will not accept them (changes/suggestions), is useful to know, as I will know not to even try suggesting.

[PatrickGHBusan]

If I may...

Public school contracts are non-negociable and closed to changes because PS are typically staffed through large government programs. Standardization then occurs.


Private schools or Hakwons are individual schools and hence have differing conditions. Some of the larger companies that own numerous hakwons also have standard contracts (ex: YBM) but there will still be wiggle room there.

In theory, you are right that everyone should be open to suggestions. However, this seldom holds true in the workplace or when hiring decisions are made.


Good luck to you

[thegadfly]

Another thing to remember -- a person can be reasonable, but a bureaucracy won't be.

If the school is owned and run by a single person directly, he or she may be willing to negotiate or change clauses if your perceived value to the school is greater than the loss of value in the contracted clause. That decision is up to the discretion of that one person in charge.

A bureaucracy, however, is set up to prevent inept people from making those kinds of decisions, which could be deemed mistakes. Bureaucracies bring the bottom up and the top down, resulting in a smooth, if less than ideal, running of a system. While there may be one person at the head of things, there are "checks and balances" involved to prevent that person from making unilateral decisions. Chain schools, most public schools, and government jobs are usually run by a bureaucracy.