Korean Job Discussion Forums

[humanuspneumos]

Every year- for so many teachers- it's the same old story regarding the bonus. Actually, it's not a bonus- it's severance pay. Anyway- my buddy and I talked often about the blasted bonus and we ended up agreeing- it's not worth the stress. My priorities in part are money- my priorities in large are to enjoy teaching. I noticed that for myself and hundreds of others year after year- the bonus took away the pleasure of the last 1-3 months of their contract because they were never sure where they stood.

Give me a free spirited/happy last 1-3 months and keep the bonus! I have enough grey hair starting to poke through without jumping through weird psychological/social hoops to create more.

Now- I know this will make some a little angry because it could be perceived as driving down the situation once again. However, I doubt that people will take this attitude in droves. I'm only one guy out of thousands of teachers and likely will be the first to say- "I don't want a bonus." The way I figure it- I'll just aim for a contract 100,000 more a month than what I would have taken with the bonus. I'd rather have a predictable 12 months than the last several months wondering about whose mother will suddenly "call" and "complain" about my teaching.

Does anyone else ever feel like this from time to time?

[Row]

Its up to you to make your own call I think. It you don't want it, its up to you. I know of a guy who is getting a bigger apartment instead of his bonus, he told them to use the money for the extra rent each month.
The reason all jobs have it is because its actaully written in the Korean Labour Laws, that everyone who has been working for one year, full time, is entitled to an extra month's pay every 12 months. This is not some speical english teachers' perk. However you might have noticed that the Korean teachers will often be employed as part-time workers.....no bonus entitlement!!!

[rapier]

Korean directors will pull all sorts of pschological games to keep you on your toes and make you wonder if you'll actually good enough to recieve what you're entitled to- bonus, severance letter, even your regular paycheque.
Just do your job, nothing more, and don't worry about trying to please them otherwise...you're right, it really isn't woth the hassle!