Korean Job Discussion Forums

freethinker11 · Joined: 04 Jun 2014

I am considering taking a job offer from a small university in the South of Korea. The job looks reasonable and like it may be a good fit for me. One issue I have is the contract they sent me does not mention anything about housing, even though in the job posting that I responded to it mentions that an apartment will be provided. This omission makes me uncomfortable and I am wondering if it should be considered a serious red flag.

Also, less serious, the contract stipulates that the uni will reimburse me for my flight, but only after completion of the year long contract, is this standard?

Any insight on these issues are welcome.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

thrylos · Joined: 10 Jun 2008

Many unis are taking housing out of the contract. That means one thing, as I found out-- they'll offer it until they don't, and then they're not obligated to give you one, or give you housing allowance/key money for one. You may have one for now, but as of (insert any specified) date, they will no longer offer it and you're on your own.

With all the cost-cutting going around, it's no wonder.

freethinker11 · Joined: 04 Jun 2014

I heard back from the chair of the English department. He claims that an apartment will be provided and he will send photos. But he didn't explain why it was omitted from the contract.

How do you think he'd respond if I ask for a new contract with the housing stipulated? Do you think his email and the job posting are enough protection? Otherwise the job looks pretty good, and up until I've had a decent feeling and rapport with guy who has been tasked with communicating with me. He's a Canadian (like me) and seems honest.

Anyway, thanks for the comments.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

If he has photos of the place then you're probably going to have a place to stay at least for a while, but as others have said, if it's not in the contract then it's not guaranteed that they won't boot you later or ask you to start paying rent. If you take the contract in it's current form then expect that you'll lose the apartment at some point (while hoping for the best).

If you weren't receiving accommodation, would the contract otherwise still be ok? How are the hours and pay? If it's good enough without the apartment, then just take it and enjoy the apartment for as long as you can, then find a new place on your own.

If it were me, I would probably just ask the guy to put it in the contract. Just say that you like everything to be formal so that everything is clear to everyone. You never know when someone else might become your boss and need confirmation of what the current guy said.

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

If they emailed you the contract in Microsoft Word. Go in and edit. Add a couple of sentences that the employer will provide housing and thet it is extra and not included as part of the salary being offered. Print that contract out and sign it. Send that to the Korean embassy and get it stamped. Print out multiple ones to get stamped. Send one to immigration when coming over here too. Keep one on your person because you do have to send them a signed contract. If you produce your contract with housing in it, you'll have them. Otherwise, they'll have you. Vague assurances about something possibly being offered if it's not in the contract can be pulled later on by some ajossi boss saying: "It's not in the contract". It can and has happened. You decide what to do.

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

If you accept an offer without an apartment or a rent subsidy, negotiate for a much higher salary. For established foriegners in Korea, this might be the better deal as we can pay our own key money and get the place we want rather than having to live in some old dumpy building with lots of problems.