Korean Job Discussion Forums

[changmee]

The High School that my husband and I work for have asked us to stay for another year. We are considering this option, but would like to know what other people have received in regards to salary/benefit increases. I've heard that a 100,000won raise more per month is typical, in addition we would ask to be moved to a larger apartment (they are hiring another teacher next school year, whom could take over our studio) and request to be exempt from teaching Summer Camp. Do you think this is too much? What did you get for sigining on for another year?

[thorin]

Good luck, especially with the summer camp exemption.

[Gollum]

Almost exactly what I asked for:

The response....

Apartment: No, we signed a 2-year contract with them and it would be too difficult to change now.

Pay: Ok, you are now at 2.1, but it was VERY DIFFICULT for us to do this. They refused to raise the married couple here to 2.2 each. One of them got pissed and wouldn't sign again. They never replaced her. The husband signed for 2.1 again. He has an MA and I have a BA. Same pay. So I don't expect a raise next year, if I stayed. Even though I'll have a TESL certification by then (they also asked us to get the TESL this year).

Vacation: By contract, they cut our vacation from 3 1/2 months down to 2 weeks. I only signed when they agreed it was just for administration purposes. They know we're darned serious that we'll walk mid-contract if they suddenly renig on their promise. They have kept it so far. We still get the extra weeks, though, because they don't have students. We have to teach a camp for 2 weeks in winter and 1 in summer. They asked us to go teach at a University camp for them -- at no extra pay -- and we categorically said, "no way." They haven't brought it up since.

The chances of you not teaching summer camp are 0. They will likely ask for an INCREASE in your camp days or say they're not paying you for it.

Personally, if I were you, I'd present the angle that you are definately leaving unless they make it worth your while to stay. They save about 500,000 won per month by having both of you there (apartment costs). It's a teacher's market right now... I'd look elsewhere. Personally, if I were you, I'd work two separate schools and make more money by getting 2 apartments and renting one out. Or one of you work a PT gig that gives you an E-2 also. I've seen some of these where you work 1-4 each day M-F for 2 million per month -- no apt, but you wouldn't need one anyway if the other spouse has it.

[Grotto]

Some things you might want to point out to the high school.

1. By the two of you sharing an apartment you are already saving them alot of money.(key money and an additional rent)

2. By renewing you are saving them the price of 2 recruiter fees(about 2 million won.

In my experience you dont get much bend from Koreans when you 'ask' for something.

You have to tell them what you want and stand firm to what you asked for.

Many couples that share housing get an additional 300,000 won a month(or 150,000 each) for housing as they are sharing one apartment.

By renewing you are also have a track record (no midnight runs, you can hack living in Korea..etc)

Go in and tell them you NEED a one bedroom or two bedroom apartment.
You want the additional 300,000 won a month for not making them rent out two apartments.

[Gollum]

[changmee]

Does it make any difference that the High School I work for is a "private" school? They still get funding from Gyeongi, but have a lot of control over thier school. For example they have a board of directors that chooses the curriculum. On top of this they are trying to market the school "specializing" in English. The school has quite a bit of money and many alumni whom support it.

As far as the administrators, they are incredible. We have NEVER had a problem with them. They even gave us 12 days off to go home in September for my sisters wedding! No deduction in pay or anything. They said that it was their "duty" to let us go.

Perhaps this will increase our chances of getting better benefits????? Thanks for the feedback!

[Gollum]

[changmee]

What about extending for 6 months? Has anyone done this at a public or private school?

[crazylemongirl]

I had a horrible experience re-contracting and am still paying for the mess.

I asked them if they wanted me to stay as I was getting head hunted by the local private school. they said 'yes please stay'

So then I asked for an increase in vacation time and they said 'sure no problem'

They then mucked around until the last minute and the principal balked at the contract. So we came to a verball agreement about my vacation time. I didn't want a vacation time because I was concerned that the school wouldn't honor it but my principal refused to put anything on paper. I should have walked right then but I had a couple of things tying me to the school.

Sure enough my principal has backed out of his verbal agreement. To which i said I'm not doing any extra work if you don't give me the extra vacation time.

moral of the story:
1. get the stuff in writing and get them to do it now. Theyl ove to leave things until the last minute (my school thought that because my visa expired at the end of feburary they could do the re-contract sometime in march

2. Don't beileve anything until you get it in writing

[FUBAR]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Don't expect a raise. The base rate went up in 2001 (I think) and it hasn't gone up since. They don't seem to believe in annual raises except for themselves.