Korean Job Discussion Forums

likemercury · Joined: 15 May 2003

Hey, can people tell me what they think of this contract? I'm a first-time teacher and the school is ECA Institute for Adults in Daegu. This is the first solid offer I've had. I need a job in Kumi or Daegu and I want to teach adults, so my options are pretty limited.

1.8 mil w/mo for first three months
1.9 mil w/mo for next 9 months
15 w/hr overtime for Saturdays (must work Saturdays when they need me)
split shifts
6-7 % taxes
1-way ticket, return ticket upon completion
shared housing with 1 or 2 teachers walking distance away or 10 minutes by subway
5 days' vacation

plus all the standard stuff (50% med, completion bonus, 30 hrs/wk class time, paid national holidays)

Still it seems like a poor deal. Shared housing, 1.8 to 1.9 mil won (in a big city), split shifts, required Saturdays, low overtime pay, short vacation, overtaxing, no air conditioning, and no 2-way ticket are by no means unheard of in a standard contract, but ALL that stuff together? Since I want some pretty specific requirements (Daegu and adults), I guess I need to be flexible with the contract, but I'm still going to negotiate. I'll ask for 1.9 mil, single housing, 4% taxes, and a max of 6 Saturdays per year. This is more in keeping with the average contract, wouldn't you say? Maybe I should ask for more and give them a chance to come back with a more moderate offer. I might adjust the list of stuff I want after I research the school and talk to the teachers, but if the school's reputation is average, I'll stick to this. What do you think? Also, has anyone heard of this school? What's the general opinion of it?

Thanks a lot!

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

What kind of experience do you have?

It sounds not bad for a first year contract. I don't see any glaring problems. Personally I'd avoid working Saturdays but it's your decision. Nice to be teaching adults. There certainly aren't as many jobs in Korea for teaching adults so, yes, perhaps you need to be flexible.

From my experience Directors are usually willing to move a little on salary. You can probably get it moved up 100 000 won per month Eg. 1.9 at first, increasing to 2.0. Depends on the circumstances however.

BTM · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Back in the saddle.

Not great, not bad, for a hagwon job. It all comes down to what the actual on-site working conditions are like, and whether the director is psycho or not, neither of which you can know until after you actually start working, unfortunately.

sandstorm · Joined: 24 Aug 2003

Ditto for what the others said.

One more thing. I'd be super wary of the Saturdays thing. Work when they need you? When you agree to that and it turns out they need you EVERY Saturday then you're screwed. If you're seriously considering this contract, try and get a clause in there that Saturday work won't exceed one time per month, 6 times per year or whatever you think is acceptable.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2003 2:18 am Post subject:

Like kylehawkins2000, I'd think they're more likely to budge on the money. If they need someone on Saturdays, and you set limits, what will they do? Hire a part-timer because you won't do it? Unlikely. And while it's not unreasonable to ask for a single apartment, if they're thinking of shacking you up with two other foreigners, then why would they give you your own, and not them?

If you don't want to seem too picky and trouble to come, then be strategic and firm in your requests. My advice is to ask for 1.9 to start and 2.0 million after three months.

But if you really need to work in the Daegu area and really want to work with adults, then I suggest you do everything in your power to develop a good relationship from the start. It sounds like you got what you need, though not all that you want.

But do you really need to be in that area? If you widen your scope you could sleep in until noon every day and get your Saturdays off with an extra 200,000 in your pocket to travel to Daegu every weekend, if that's what you want. Remember that anywhere in South Korea is just a couple of hours from Daegu.

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

If you think you're OK on the Saturday concept (many, including me, wouldn't be), you might try getting it written in that you only work two Saturdays a month or something, to put a limit on the amount of "we need you on Saturdays" they want to throw you.

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

I'd also like to point out that the "overtime" rate of 15,000/hr is a crock. If you work 120 hours/month for 1.8 million, your pay rate is already 15,000/hr. Why is the overtime the same rate of pay? It should be (at the least) 20,000/hr.

Shared housing is no good--just not worth it for a year. You really need your own place to have as a sanctuary and retreat from all the things going on around you. The last thing you'll want is to go home to crash and still not be able to get away from work because your co-worker is crashed out on the couch.

justagirl

BTM · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Back in the saddle.

At my last (uni) job, I discovered that Koreans (at least the ones there) tend to expect overtime pay to be less than your normal hourly pay. I still haven't got my head wrapped around that one.

Clutch Cargo · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Location: Sim City 2005

If you're going to ask for the hours to be amended in the contract then make sure there is not a clause in there somewhere which states that 'hours cannot be guaranteed by the school.' This would technically override any set hours or amount of Saturdays that you agree to work.
I had a similar experience when negotiating my contract hours and they were happy enough to take out the contradictory clause.

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

Come to some fixed agreement on the weekend work, "As required" will send you mental because they'll work you every week.
I agree the OT rate is nonsense too.

Skarp · Joined: 22 Aug 2003

Personally, I'm hoping to do a lot better than that.

I have 'proper' TEFL qualifications, a PGCE and several years TEFL experience (but outside Korea).

I would insist on no Saturdays and no compulsory OT - they'll eat up your free time and if you want to work long hours you could do private work - risks aside.

The money seems fair - as it's basically plenty to start off on.

Good luck negotiating and lplease let us know how you get on.

An up to date listing comparing contracts to/qualifications and experience would be a nice resource when trying to secure a fair deal. This could be as simple as a long thread where everybody willing simply adds a post when they sign a new contract?

Skarp

mishlert · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Location: On the 3rd rock from the sun

Lemon, I worked at that exact school for a 5 weeks; it was a Winter intensive gig, and they needed someone.
The school is good, the owner is great, and Scott is a pretty good guy. But when I spoke to the foreign staff they told me that even though there is "choice" to work, or not work on Saturdays, the school would rather you did work on said day.

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

Green Bay · Joined: 06 Sep 2003

I think you might want to wait for a few more job offers.

I wouldn't advise anybody to leave their country and come to Korea for less then 2 million a month.

Please look at this site http://www.intokorea.com/information-tax.htm

Even at 2 million your tax rate should only be 3%. Your director will collect the 7%, remit 3% to the government and pocket the rest.

Split shifts will burn you out. You can't do anything during the down time because going back to work in the afternoon or evening will always be on your mind.

Finally, shared housing is a coin toss. If your roommate(s) is a nice person then great, but what happens if being at home isn't too much fun.

There are much better contracts out there.

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003