Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jordaning · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Location: KOREA

We have been here one month, the school is good, the hours not bad, and the director treats us well. I am concerned about future problems and when I should hold my ground and start flashing my contract.

If our hours are written in the contract and class is added to the schedule that is later in the evening, by one hour, should we refuse?

The working conditions are good, and so are the people. I don�t want to hurt the working environment.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

How far up the bum will you let them drive the stick? I'd be flashing the contract, especially about the vacation time and health insurance. What if you decided not to teach half of your classes. Would they flash the contract? You bet they would.

I suggest approaching your boss in a professional manner about the issue, then contact the labor board if you are still being illegally screwed.

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

of course you dont want to mess up a situation that you feel is good now. so here is my advice. plan your vacation now, and go to him NOW about the dates. if he says ok, then later if he changes his mind, then you can call him out on the contract and his approval from before. if he says no, then you know there will be issues in the future and go to bat now.

about the one hour, how much does it bother you? i would talk about this after the vacation, because this seems small. win the battle about vacation then worry about this. and if it isnt an issue, then remind him that it is not in your contract but tell him you dont mind doing it "for a while." be explicit that it is not in the contract and you are doing him a favor, but dont be rude. you dont have to.

lastly, medical, that is up to you. are you willing to gamble? personally, i am willing to pay what, 50,000 won a month for the security of knowing everything will be taken care of. really, how much is 50,000? versus getting hit by a bus and stuck in a hospital, ringing up 20,000,000 in bills. (that was an example, please dont anyone start about car insurance, that is not the point).

the point, dont wait about insurance. tackle it now. if it works out, then you can figure out if you want to rock the boat about the extra hour. if it doesnt, then you know other stuff will go wrong. vacation is often the biggest cause FTs and schools fight, so if they are bad on vacation, they will be bad on many things. and really, why work in a foreign country if you dont get to travel?

Jordaning · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Location: KOREA

I have already started the process of planning a large trip. I am begining to leave the very sublte hints about a possible date. If nothing is resolved, a more direct approach will be taken.

The hours, no big deal. Just wondering if I should bend on the contract myself and then call them on it on another issue later.

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

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

I pay around 44,000 a month on 2m.
Pension is a waste of time, you may be unlucky enough to end up in a car accident but to be unlucky enough to still be here when you turn 65! Make a fuss about the health care. The pension isn't worth the fuss in the short term.

And here's a hint about vacation. Don't drop hints! Sit them down get out a calender and get them to agree there and then. Get it written into the contract if you must.

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

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

I have had the same problem. I solved the health care issue by buying health insurance through the catholic church. It's a lot cheaper than if I contributed to the school's plan. I am not sure about the pension plan..but I am sure it would be a hassle to file for it since English is seldom spoken. Going to immigration is difficult enough. Shocked

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

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

ThePoet · Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:53 am Post subject:

The first reason I can think of that the director is telling you the healthcare is around 100,000 is because he does not want to pay half. All employers pay half. The labour board can set him straight.

Second reason he is discouraging you from getting healthcare is because you are then on the radar with the government. He will have to put you on the pension program and again, he has to pay half. On 2 million won a month, he is getting away with not paying 1,320,000 (his contributions to your healthcare and pension). In the meantime, you are not covered for basic medical, and, although you get your severence at the end of 12 months (right???) equal to a 13th month, you will be missing out on what amounts to a 14th month by not getting National Pension.

Also, if he is not deducting anything from your pay, he is leaving you holding the bag for income tax (around 3.5 - 4%). You have to pay that anyway, but at the end of your year you can qualify for most of it back for the first three years you work here. I didn't realize that until I got a rebate at the university I work at...My hagwan never told me about this.

So, best case scenario, your hagwan owner is saving an extra 3 million won you should get by you not rocking the boat. I wish I could afford to throw away that kind of money.

Poet

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

I can't believe that people are actually saying on this thread that pension is a waste of time. It's a wonderful savings plan! For everything you pay into it, your employer has to match it. And you get it all back when you leave Korea...as long as you are from North America. It's not a hassle to file for a refund...and who cares even if it was. On 2 million won a month you'll make well over a million won extra per year. It's definitely worth fighting for.

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

I can't believe that people are actually saying on this thread that pension is a waste of time. It's a wonderful savings plan! For everything you pay into it, your employer has to match it. And you get it all back when you leave Korea...as long as you are from North America. It's not a hassle to file for a refund...and who cares even if it was. On 2 million won a month you'll make well over a million won extra per year. It's definitely worth fighting for.

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

like some people said, if you are american or canadian, pension is really worth it. your employer MUST match what you put into it. so every month you would put in about 80,000 won, and he would as well, if you stay one year, that adds up to you paying about 1,000,000 but getting 2,000,000. 50% return on one year is pretty good. DO IT.

if you are american, you dont have to pay taxes for your first two years. mine werent even collected the first two years.

medical is only about 40,000 per month for your side. again he must match this, that is why he is saying 100,000. he just doesnt want to pay you.

and again about vacation, dont drop hints, someone said this. pull out a calendar, right down the dates, circle them on the calendar and ask directly "do you understand? i will be gone from here to here, ok?"

korean culture is different from ours, so hints might not mean anything. or he can pretend he didnt understand. DO it directly and do it now.