Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daveeslcafe888]

Hi Everyone,

I am set to go to Korea in two weeks. However, I just got a last minute email that effectively changes the schedule.

1. The contract essentially remains the same (i.e. same amount of pay, same total hours per week, etc.).

2. I had been given email confirmation (not specifically in the contract) that I would be teaching certain subjects and given morning hours. However, the new schedule has me potentially teaching different subjects I'm not interested in, and evening hours.

What do you guys think is happening here? Is this worth declining the job (it's effectively 2.5 million won after housing stipend)?

Thanks

[crossmr]

They can't really change the contract unless you agree to it. So it's up to you. You could say, we have a contract I'll be there to start work on the date specified.
or you could bail and say no thanks and look for another place.
it's really all on you.

[Mr. Peabody]

[northway]

Sounds like a CDI contract where they pay you 2.9 but charge you 400,000 for housing.

[thegadfly]

Well, no one can tell you if it is worth declining a job over -- depends on how badly you need the job, how good other things look, and how big a deal your schedule was to you.

If you are working for a school, you will be employed to teach what needs to be taught -- so you may not have the exact hours or classes you want, if the needs of the school have changed. This is to be expected. As the newest member of the staff, you may get classes at inopportune times, as those with more seniority may be shedding those classes -- this is ALSO to be expected, and happens nearly everywhere. There is a reason that new teachers in the US end up teaching remedial English and freshman English classes, rather than senior AP or Honors English. RHIP

Some people expect this, and will "pay their dues" by living with it. Some folks are not willing to do so, and decline the job.

If you know the operating hours of the school, you should expect to have your contracted hours within those operating hours. If you have your contracted hours, within the operating hours, then they are following the contract.

If following the contract causes you concern, or would end up being something up with which you do not wish to put, then by all means, turn it down. Find a school that only operates during the hours you wish to work -- they DO exist.

Some places are only days, some are only evenings, and some have split shifts. If you aren't a morning person, don't apply to morning positions. If you want your evenings free, don't apply to places that have late evening classes -- even if they SAY you won't be teaching them, if the school offers them, and there is a need for them to be taught, you may be required to fill in...and contractually, you would be obligated, regardless of what you were unofficially offered.

2.5 million is pretty decent, depending on the hours expected. If it is CDI, I would say run away, but if it is a private hakwon, it might be worth it.

[isitts]

[sojusucks]

OP, let me get this straight. They agreed to certain conditions by email but changed them in the actual contract? The contract is what matters. You don't have to accept ANY changes like that. You can refuse to work there unless they keep their word and put everything you discussed in the contract.
As for a "housing stipend"- have you ever lived in Korea? Can you speak Korean? It's a better idea to have housing provided if you are a complete newbie to Korea.

[sojusucks]

BTW, there are schools that will try to change things and add work days even as you are picked up at the airport. That's true even of some public schools. Don't let them change anything or add work days like some Saturdays and holidays.