Korean Job Discussion Forums

[saint_moi]

This I geuss is aimed at anyone with know-how and those who themselves have renewed their contracts also.

My contract expires in 5 days and I intended to extend at the same hagwon for another year. Tonight my boss presented me with an immigration renewal form and an identical copy of my original blank contract. Here is what troubles me:

1. I was informed that she will only be paying me severance in 3 months time, as 'times are hard financially at the hagwon'.

2. She will only pay the other half of my air-ticket in another year's time at the end this next contract. (a: in my contract it clearly states half the ticket paid at the begin, the other when it ends. b: I used the other half of the ticket a week ago as it was paid for and in turn bought a new ticket to go with my new contract. If I stay at this hagwon it seems she will orchestrate that she only pays for one ticket per 2 contracts). The math of a ticket per contract makes sense to me, am I wrong? This would have to be provided anyway if I leave and a new teacher joins.

3. There has been Nooo mention or offer of any raise (even if a small one) on her part nor is the figure any different in this new contract.


Well, regarding the outstanding amount of the other half of the ticket, it legally states what we agreed in the contract I still have in my posession. If she sends my new contract and renewal application tomorrow, is this current contract agreement null and void? Simply put, can she turn around and say that what's in the old contract is irrelevant 'cos she's filed a new one? (it only expires on 4/28 )

This post is wordy, but advice is sorely needed! Please advise if possible!!

[phaedrus]

Sounds like you are in the driver's seat.

Tell her what you want, and what needs to be in the contract.

Don't let a stupid Korean that has left things to this moment sweep all your concerns aside in a rush. Tell them you can't budge, that it must happen your way.

Get a copy in Korean, and get a translation if you are worried about being tricked.

[Crois]

Dont resign if the school is in difficulities with money. Demand a pay rise otherwise say that it will cost here more money to recruit another teacher. Another contract wont null and void the previous contract. Only if you agree to it in the second contract.

Dont resign unless you are offered more.

[jazblanc77]

My word of advice is DON'T renew! I have done two temporary renewals in the past (only a couple of months each time) and it was exactly as you were saying. They will try to defer everything to the end of your next contract, ie. your severance and your flight and also keep you at your same negotiated price from your first contract. Renewal goes for at least a 100,000 won raise per salary month and some places will even do 10%. Regarding your severance and flight, if you don't get it at the end of your contract, then you won't get it at all. Think about the end of your renewed contract. will they want to pay you the equivalent of two flights, a severance, and your salary. If times are bad now, how do you think they will afford that then?

Most people take vacations in between their contracts anyways. They get their severance and flight and go home (or somewhere else) for 2-4 weeks. Then they come back on a new contract and a new prepaid flight, just as they did with their original contract. If you are worried in any way about not getting what you agreed upon, I would really urge you not to resign OR make sure that you get everything for the present contract BEFORE you sign anything else. Please, do not trust them and sign a contract before everything is squared away with the old one, that is asking for trouble.

[rapier]

Its a bit of a cheek for them to fill in all the blanks for you after a year of loyal service. New year= new contract, subject to negociation and bargaining.
You are entitled to all stated in your old contract, even after its expiry date. Don't let some pushy beehatch railroad you. You are at a critical point right now, and believe it or not, you have them by the goons.
They're actually pretty desperate to re-sign you for a multitude of reasons, saving on a recruiters fee being just one of them. Many hagwons are feeling the crunch right now thanks to extra classes at the public schools, and want to at least wait and see how the next couple of months play out.
I think you can get whatever you want here if you insist on it, raise and flight included.

[VanIslander]

I've read your post a couple of times and the whole ticket situation is still unclear to me: Is she offering to pay for only half of your second year's ticket (to get you to Korea) and NOT the return portion until the end of the contract (when you might get stiffed)?

If so, then I'd insist on getting the second half within a reasonable amount of time if immediate payment isn't possible (say, exactly three months). Say you need the security, that you aren't comfortable enough without it, not because you don't trust, but because of a general sense of security, you need it, plain and simple. You need it. It's that simple. (You can only succeed with this strategy if you're prepared to walk out after three months or so if you're not paid it.)

As for the raise, forget it. It doesn't seem taken for granted in Korea that somebody would be paid more after a while to keep on doing the same job. It's not a cultural value, like the places we're from. And the longer I'm in Korea I understand the sentiment, especially when you hear about the deadbeat teachers who lose their initial energy but stick around to pick up the monthly paychecks doing the minimum.

Anyways, the time to ask for a raise should be when you first talk about the possibility of you considering staying for a second year, not when your about to do it after you've already agreed to return and are merely discussing specifics of flight financing.

So, demand the ticket, nix the raise idea.

IMO.

[jazblanc77]

VanIslander, your right about the time to negotiate, it's not really now. They probably asked the OP two or three months ago to resign and got a yes. That really was the time to set the terms.

In terms of the present contract though, I will stress again that if you sign a new contract without getting everything promised to you in the last one, you are going to have to fight to get what was is owed to you. Once you have signed a contract under an E2 visa, you are practically a slave and you are on their turf. The battle is slightly skewed to their advantage if you have to start fighting them to get what you were owed in a contract. If you think there will be problems, don't risk it.

[Juggertha]

Personally I wouldn't sign.

Honestly it reads like you don't trust them... no need to drag that out. Take some time off and come back in 4 weeks to another job.

If a company does not feel obligated to give you a raise after one year (MOST korean companies do) and are being chinsey on the ticket, i'd leave.

Wish them well but leave, you'll be the better for it.

[phaedrus]

Verbal agreements are non-binding to me.

If they are so stupid not to get a signature on something, then everything is still up for negotiation.

[VanIslander]

[Real Reality]

saint_moi,

Sorry, but it seems that you may be in a bit of a difficult situation.
You indicated you were thinking about staying at the same place.
Today, do you honestly feel your boss has treated you well enough to stay?

It may be time to leave.

I tend to agree with the other posters (especially rapier and Juggertha).

Good luck.

[saint_moi]

[Crois]

Dont do it you'd be a fool to do so and Mr T would say I pity the fool!!!

[saint_moi]

Don't do what? Accept such a half-ass deal? Well, I'm gonna stick with my guns n insist on my severance and previous tickets half pay be paid first before any new contract is signed. Second, that the next contract should be exactly the same as the previous. A ticket half paid on contract's birth and the other at the contract's completion.

I will not push for a raise. Agreed, now is not the right time time to be greedy.

Is this a reasonable train of thought?

[phaedrus]