Korean Job Discussion Forums

[khalifa00]

Anybody know much about this school? Haven't been able to find anything on them doing searches on here and I'm hoping that is a good thing.

[SAHinSeoul]

I know the original post was a while ago, but I wanted to respond out of courtesy to anyone who is offered a job there and does their research about academies in Seoul.

Honestly, when I started in 2011 at the school, it was great. There were two campuses running. One that was solely used for a kindergarten program, and one for elementary thru middle school. For those of you who don't know, a hagwon (or academy) is a school where kids go to study MORE after their regular school day. The hours were great, we worked from 1:15-9:15, allowing us ample prep time, teaching 3 blocks, plus a dinner break, and on Wednesdays we would leave work at 6:30. The owner/principal would take the staff out to dinner on special occassions and it was a really positive work environment. I was proud to work at a hagwon that wasn't "shady". We were paid on time, given our proper vacation, etc etc.

BUT...by the time my contract was finished in 2012, the school had really taken a turn for the worst and I really wouldn't recommend anyone to accept a contract. I'm not sure what is going on with the school financially, but whatever it is seems to be the bane of all problems between the foreign teachers and the Korean staff. SEA is a small, privately run school. There is now only one campus, and it is owned by a family. They all deal with different aspects of the school. While they are nice people, the way they run their business leaves much to be desired. A few of my old coworkers and I compiled a list of things that went wrong:

1. Pocketing portions of paychecks without an explanation of where the money is going. There were a few discrepancies with paystubs and certain amounts that had been subtracted. None of the employees are given national health insurance or pension, so the money is not going there. Aside from income tax, there shouldn't be any fees except the building maintanence if you live in the housing they provide.

2. Making changes to the employee contract during the contract period without notice to the employee. There was a change in scheduled hours recently, and the employees were given notice at a meeting about a week before they were to go into effect. Hagwons are required to close by 10pm, and trust us, you will probably be working until then by the end of your contract.

3. No national health insurance, also will not let employees register for national health insurance without permission. SEA chooses to enroll their teachers in some sort of private health insurance. Instead of having a fee taken out every month, you pay one lump sum. It sounds cheaper and better, but the coverage doesn't really cover anything except the common cold, and even then, be prepared to spend your own money and never see a dime of reimbursement. If you have serious health issues, this insurance won't do anything, so you want to make sure your place of employment gives NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE.

4. No pension. I'm not sure if this is under wraps? Technically, you are supposed to deduct a percentage of your paycheck every month, and then your employer matches that. When you leave Korea, you may claim your pension money.

5. We were not provided ANY health insurance at all for the first 7 months of my contract

6. Almost $100 (100,000won) taken from each check to cover building maintenance for the school building and apartments provided. This is not written in your contract.

7. "Housing" is being changed so teachers will possibly live in goshiwons with community kitchen and laundry area.


8. Will not give a straight answer as to whether we are employees or independent contractors, yet they tax as independent contractors but won't give permission to work a second job.

9. Adding "planning hours" that are unpaid, but giving "work periods" to grade the owners tests and essays instead of tims to grade our own work, then applying penalties when our work is not completed.

10. Working 10 hour days during intensives, not specified on the contract, but spacing the teaching hours out so that they don't have to pay overtime.

11. Also, all of these hour changes were increases to the working hours, but without an increase in pay. If you do the math and figure out your hourly wage, you're better off working at Office Depot.

I know this is a novel of a post, but it is important to consider all of these things before you come to Korea. Many people are OK with this type of situation, but for those of you who aren't, and want to make sure you're treated like a person and not a robot or piece of property, I hope you really take this post into consideration if you are offered a job at SEA.

[ajosshi]

SAH, Very clear, concise, and crisp!