Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oldlongears]

Two general questions about picking up a part-time teaching job while teaching at a university:

Do universities care if their English instructors take part-time jobs?

Has anyone experienced difficulties in getting their employer's permission (I'm referring to those on an E2) to work at another job?

Thanks for the info.

OL

[Swampfox10mm]

Most universities care, and don't allow it.

Legally, if you are a full time university employee (F-visa or not), you are not allowed to work at another job (although this may differ if you're talking about another university). I know that you can't form your own school-related business in your name on the side, as I learned when my home school was denied based on my university position/title.

Basically, most teachers I know just do outside work and keep it on the down-low. If they are listed as a full-time employee with their school, Koreans do the same.

I know a Korean prof. from Dankook who runs his own hagwon on the side. Technically, according to the gov't, this is illegal. He funnels a lot of the paperwork through his associate.

[sirius black]

As another noted, they care to the extent that they don't openly allow it. However, and I'm not advocating this, but many uni teachers I know do privates on the side. Its a wink wink nod nod with the schools. As long as its done discreetly the unis of freinds I know have a 'don ask, dont tell' kinda relationship with their working teachers.
Because of the amount of time off in the summer and winter, many do week long or month long english camps as well to supplement their income.
It is technically illegal but its fairly prevalent.

The unis know their teachers have outside jobs. As long as it doesn't affect the teaching of their students they turn a blind eye. Not all unis but many.

[brickabrack]

Don't get caught. No problem.

[Milwaukiedave]

Most universities will have a clause in the contract. I would not recommend doing it unless you get permission especially on an E-2 visa. You are not only violating your contract, you are violating your visa which allows you to stay in the country. The question would get a little more complex if you are on an F-visa.

[Axiom]

[Swampfox10mm]

I know of one that was not renewed after he was asked to quit working at another university, and he waved his F-2 in their faces. Since then, that school has stated in contract that outside work will not be allowed unless approved (teachers have since asked and failed in each case).

I also heard that Konkuk university will fire a teacher on the spot for outside work. Not sure if that's just rumor or not.

[OiGirl]

Do you have a particular part-time job in mind?

One thing I have seen is Korean and foreign instructors in a department at a university permitted/begged to do part time work at the university langauge institute.

[hubbahubba]

[sirius black]

The advice es don't work at another place under any circumstances. Very good advice. Excellent in fact, but the reality is that doing privates or some other form of income is very prevalent. Its the honest response for someone. To pretend it isn't common is departing from reality. The fear is that it encourages people to do it because of the age old excuse 'everyone does it'. That, I leave up to the individual.

[oldlongears]

OiGirl: I don't have anything in mind. I was just trying to get a feel for how part-time work would be perceived by universities. I thought there might be an unspoken understanding, if not an explicit contract clause, that discouraged or prohibited extra work outside of the university.

[oldlongears]

Thanks for the info, everyone. That's about how I expected it to be.

[eliross]

As an E2 visa holder you can get permission from your school to teach at another workplace. It has to come from the president of the university and most universities state in their contracts that outside lecture is not allowed (I was told this was to protect the university from a teacher who teaches illegal privates and it reduces any conflicts with teachers about outside work. No "I can't do the summer camp/come to the meeting because of my privates"). That being said the president of my university was happy to sign off on an outside summer camp during designated vacation time.

[Skyblue]

Some of your local coworkers will probably ask you if you can tutor their friends' kids in your free time. Even the person who sent you a contract stating you can't do any outside work might do it.

[Skyblue]

Some of your local coworkers will probably ask you if you can tutor their friends' kids in your free time. Even the person who sent you a contract stating you can't do any outside work might do it.