Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TheUrbanMyth]

It should be pointed out here that if you are an Independent Contractor...you still have to pay pension and medical insurance as it is required by law. Pretorian you are a special case as you are S.A and the pension thing does not cover you...but I believe the medical insurance does.

So even S.As aren't saving money on this deal as if they are employees the employer pays half but if they are ICs then they have to pay the whole thing.

As for other nationalities it's even worse as they have to pay pension as well and all of it themselves whereas as employees their boss would pay half.

[MoneyMike]

Oh I wasn't implying that you lied. But I mean seriously, you talked to them, asked to leave your contract early, and didnt get it in writing? Real bright. The biggest problems on your list could have been easily avoided if you'd used your brain a little bit.

Also, I'm pretty sure my friend that works there isn't working as a contractor, I'm pretty sure she's getting full benefits. I'll ask about that the next time I see her.

As far as I've heard, from a couple different people, the problems at that school tend to come from disorganization rather than a malicious intent to screw teachers out of their due.

[Pretorian]

MoneyMike we got given reference letters for our new job. Epik called our boss and he said it was fine that we could go. We only left 3 weeks earlier and was told many many times that we wouldn't lose our severance. Still a mistake but I didn't think it would be a problem.

"You're pretty sure.."

"As far as I've heard.."

Maybe you should find out for certain before just say things you're not certain about.

Edit: Moneymike, our boss knew 5 months before that we were leaving and said it's okay and that we won't lose our severance. Within that time we were told many times that we wouldn't lose our severance because it's so close to the end of our contract. Then we're told 2 weeks before we're suppose to leave that we can't go anymore? Why not tell us earlier? That feels like malicious intent.

[Warhammer820]

[Pretorian]

Yes they did! Once my girlfriend got paid 100k won short but we got it once we asked for it. We honestly think it was just a mistake though.

All I'll say is that I would have recommended it mid-contract for someone who doesn't mind working serious hours, but also getting a decent salary.

P.S. Ask these questions before signing:

1.) How many teaching hours you'll be doing (Not working hours, physical teaching hours). Average at other hogwans are around 120 /month.
2.) During your 30 minute lunch break do you have to sit and eat with the Kindergardeners?
3.) Do you get a couch for your apartment? -nobody has ever got one. In fact, ask for an itinerary of for your "furnished apartment" they should have one as everyone filled one out just before we left. We got 2 mugs, three wooden chopsticks, 1 plate, 1 fork.. etc.
4.) Ask if you can get a KEB account set up instead of a Gwangju bank account. You won't have time to go to the bank so you'll need KEB's English internet banking.
5.) Ask if you get some free breaks during the day and then get that in writing. Soon you could find yourself working straight through the day (minus 30minute lunch).. can you say 180 teaching hours/month.

My girlfriend and I left there 7 months ago but if you message me privately I can give you some names of people who still work there or who have just left there recently and you can ask them stuffs

[Mr. Peabody]

[Pretorian]

When my gf and I started working there March 2010 it was:
2.4mill for physically teaching 166hours/month.
Working 9-5pm
People after us got paid between 2.2mil-2.3mil taught between 166-187h/month.
Working 9-6pm

After our blog about the school we heard all the teachers got a raise back to 2.4mill but still work 9-6pm. I'm not sure what they are paying new people.

Edit: I found the new job offered:

http://www.eslvoice.com/jobseeker/job_view.php?uid=1587

Yep 2.3mill a month -If you qualified for 2.4mil then you could be teaching at a university (3 years experience or a Masters).
Notice how they only say 9-6pm and not the teaching/working hours. So you could very easily be working from 9-6pm less 30 minute lunch break.
Ah!
"Vacation: 10 days paid vacation according to academic calendar (Include 5-6days school vacation), 3 sick day leave"
-So this means that you are have to take forced vacation at odd times throughout the year. You can only choose 4-5 of your own days.
With us we weren't even allowed to take 5 of our holiday days... especially over Christmas to see our parents.

[Mr. Peabody]

[Pretorian]

No it's not it's ridiculous But it's a hogwan, we were new to Korea and people who came shortly after us worked till 6pm, taught more and got paid a bit less, so we couldn't complain. We also had to prepare worksheets in our free time (after school) which was unpaid.

I'm sure many people could tell even worse stories about their hogwans.. that's what I told myself and did the work hah. But I'm glad to be in public now.. I feel like I earned it

[curlyhoward]

[Mr. Peabody]

Stating the obvious here, but anyone considering working for this school should take a pass.

Private Contractor = Bad Deal (except maybe for SA's)

[Captain Corea]

Such an interesting thread to see how opinions changed.

[frankhenry]