Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AdamH]

Hi,

I've just been sent my contract by the recruiter, and there are a couple of clauses that I'd like to check, mainly to see if these are normal or if I'm likely to get screwed.

The first is:

Salary of 10 days amount will be deducted as a deposit from the first pay check and the institute will pay it back to the instructor on completing the contract.

And the second:

Employee agrees to a total deduction of 600,000 Won over the period of 1st 3 months of employment as housing management deposit. This deposit is to cover any unpaid monthly service, utility, and telephone charges at the completion of this contract and/or resignation or dismissal of the employee before the termination of this contract. Employer agrees that payment of remaining amount of the deposit will be made to employee within ten days after all outstanding monthly service, utility, and telephone charges have been paid (It takes about 2months).

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To be honest, I had worse things in contracts for accommodation whilst at university in England, but I guess anyone like me who is new to this wants to be sure that they don't get ripped off unnecessarily.

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can give.

Adam

"Don't sweat the petty things...and don't pet the sweaty things"

[The Evil Clown]

Those clauses are seriously fucked. You're boss is obviously paranoid and was probably burned in the past.

Tell them to delete the clauses and make no such deductions. You'll probably not get the job but, big loss eh?

[J.B. Clamence]

[sadsac]

No way! They are not acceptable clauses for a contract. Withholding the first 10 days, no way. Utilities deposit 600,000 won, again no way. At the end of your contact look at what your previous bills ahve been and work it out from that. Get those clauses deleted.

[Cacique]

I think those clauses are enough to look elsewhere for anothter contract.

10 days pay AND 600 000 won? Assuming you're making around 2 million a month, that's a heck of a lot of money! I wouldn't touch that contract.

Personally, I didn't have to put down any form of deposit, and I didn't have to look hard to find such a deal.

[bosintang]

Hello, I disagree with the other posters a little bit. If it was me, and I liked the remainder of the contract, I would not mind putting down a 600,000 deposit. (The other clause about the first 10 days being deducted sounds like the same clause was inserted twice, and I would have that removed). My employer is taking a risk flying me to come to Korea, and sticking me in an apartment in their name, so I don't think asking for a deposit is really asking that much.

However, I would want the wording changed, so that the 200,000 would be deducted over the first three months, rather than in one lump-sum deduction. I would also insist that the money be returned on my last paycheque, rather than 2 months afterwards. Anything beyond this would be unnacceptable to me.

[peppermint]

Yeah- ask if there are two deductions and if so, walk. You'd basically be working for nothing your first month. I understand the need for housing deposits and stuff, but 600,000 is still a bit steep. Try to talk them down a little.

[oneiros]

I agree with the other posters. That's way too much off a housing deposit. There's no way they need ten days salary and 600 000 won. Keep looking.

[AdamH]

Thanks guys. I contacted the recruiter with my concerns and they've ammended it accordingly.

As it stands, it appears to be a pretty agreeable contract, certainly compared to the one I had in my first job after graduating (working for a large American company whose owner has, I believe, been featured in an episode of The Simpsons)

[tomwaits]

Be weary of these "well do something for you later" deals. What happens when you are owed flight and bonus plus this 600 000 and maybe more.

I even hate the end of contract bonuses. It should all be pro-rated over the year (but dont demand this.) It is common though from my limited exp. ECC for one do it.