Korean Job Discussion Forums

Alyallen · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 8:31 pm Post subject: My first contract...hurray?

Hi everybody,

I would love you all if you could give me some advice with my contract. It's short and to the point which I like, but perhaps it is missing a few things? So...please help....

AlyAllen

By the way, I know 1.8 is low but I'm ok with that....

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

This is an employment contract between *** and (write your name and
address.___________________________________

1. Duration of Contract : Sep.1st 2004 - Aug. 31st
2005

2. Housing : A rent free single furnished apartment
will be provided by ***.

3. Utilities : The teacher will be responsible for
payment of all apartment utilities, food, personal
entertainment and recreational costs.

4. Salary : 1,800,000 Korean won per month.

5. Payday : The monthly salary will be paid on the 5th
of each month.

6. Tax : Korean income tax between (4-7%) will be
deducted from the monthly salary according to Korean
Tax Law.

7. Severance Pay : Upon completion of the contract
severance pay equal to one month's salary will be
paid.

8. Insurance : Under Korean law all employees must
have medical insurance. *** and the teacher
each pay 50% of the monthly cost. The cost is
approximately 5% of the monthly salary.

9. Vacation : All national holidays plus two weeks
paid vacation.(One week in the winter and one week in
the summer.) During these vacations *** will be
closed.

10. Transportation : *** will reimburse an
economy class return ticket to the closest
international airport to the teacher's address shown
on this contract.
50% of the ticket will be reimbursed upon arrival.
The balance will be paid upon completion of the
contract.

11. Duties : Teaching English conversation to children
whose ages range from eight to sixteen. All teaching
material will be provided. This includes educational
games, text, reference and story books.
You will be required to teach a maximum of six hours a
day. Five days a week. This does not include any
prepation time that may be required. There are no
classes at weekends.
You will be required to dress and act in a
professional manner.

Korean law prohibits any employee from working for
anyone other than the sponsoring oganization.

Both parties have read the above conditions and agree
to the terms. They agree to resolve any disputes in a
reasonable manner. If this is not possible then
pertinent Korean law will be applied.

I agree to the contract terms as stated above.

Date: __________
Signed:___________

Date:_____________
Signed:_________________________

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

I believe the salary is too low. Beginning teachers fresh out of college with no TESOL should be making at least 2.0 million per month.

Also, make sure it specifies what "furnished apartment" means, i.e. bed, t.v., vcr, microwave, etc.

Alyallen · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 8:45 pm Post subject:

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Your info says you are American. Unless you are ugly and over 40, there is no way you should accept 1.8. 2.0 will give you an extra 2.6 million won after one year. That is a big difference.

Are times really that desperate?

Just because a job is advertised here, it does not mean it is a good job. Dave does not check out all these places. He can't.

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

I've been in Korea for 3 years and my current contract is for 1.8 million. I'm American and female and I love my job. It's not all about the money--I don't think there's a better job in my city than my hakwon.

The only ? I would have, would be about split-shifts. It's not bad at first, but after a few months it begins to wear on a person. Ask if it's a straight schedule, like from 3-9.

Otherwise, it sounds good. Very basic, nothing hidden in there.

justagirl

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

I am glad you like your job, but you are being underpaid. I am just trying to help. It is your business. Didn't you get a raise every year?

Wouldn't that extra $7000 in your pocket be nice?

Alyallen · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 9:04 pm Post subject:

Alyallen · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 9:10 pm Post subject:

ghostshadow · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

It looks ok for what it's worth. It looks like a small school. If you are in the position of suggesting them a change I would see if the travel part could be reworded to be more clear and add something about them getting you a visa.

Alyallen · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Contract

ghostshadow · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

If you are only 22 and American, then seriously, you can get a better job. Where did you graduate from? You have only been a graduate 3 days, so be patient and wait for something good. You could get all you ask for.

peppermint · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 11:50 pm Post subject:

Okay-check with EFl Law on the tax rate- there' s no way it should be more than five percent, set an overtime rate, and make sure that overtime is optional.

You'd asked earlier about non native speakers teaching here- did your friend get a contract too? If so, and it's important to you, don't listen to KD. A good working atmosphere is far more important than money- especially when you're in a country where you can't buy many of the things you'd want. Wink

( clothes that fit, certain kids of food etc)

Alyallen · Posted: Tue May 18, 2004 12:09 am Post subject:

To Peppermint,

Unfortunately my friend couldn't get anyone to hire him. So he is off to grad school...can't feel too bad for him Laughing

I like this school because it is small. I've never really taught a large class before (mostly 1 on 1), so the smaller the better for me. The pay doesn't bother me because quite frankly, the offers have been far and between. Plus this owner didn't just toss my resume in the trash once he saw my picture (which he didn't ask for, I sent it out of "spite and bitterness" at that point I guess). I will check on the income tax. I could have sworn it was dependent on your income and 6% for 1.8 million does seem a bit much.

To kangnamdragon,

I graduated from a perfectly good school in Vermont that didn't give me much financial aid, so I've got debt to deal with in the +40,000 range in 6 months. Yeah, I could get paid more, but I honestly can't afford to wait months for someone to look pass my race to give me a job.

And last but not least...Ghostshadow,

It is like 4 am here, so I guess I didn't read your question correctly. I don't think I talked with the owner about the visa at all. I just assumed I was paying for it. Well...just one more question to email the owner about Laughing

Thank you all,
Alyson

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

If you are happy with it, great. But the salary??? Why are you working anyway?!?!? Money! Why is the school in business? Money. Why sell yourself short? Why?!? I don't get it! And you went to college?! By accepting the low salary and many hours (6 hours could mean 7/8 classes a day) you are lowering your standards and the standards that others are trying to raise. But what the heck, you're only out for yourself like the rest of us!
Just get the best deal possible and 1.8 is not the best deal in my opinion. Another poster stated that after 3 years at the same place they get what.... 1.8!! I'd be happy if I was the owner and was paying my employees 1.8 after 3 years.