Korean Job Discussion Forums

[falldownstumble]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but the Search function isn't working right now, and I am supposed to make my decision in less than 24 hours, so I just thought I would ask.

Does anybody work for WIN Education company, or know anything about it? I'd love to hear any personal experiences.

I had an interview with them tonight, for their after school positions in public schools, and they put the pressure on me to sign their contract then and there when the interview was over. I was super-tempted, because they give a great key deposit and housing allowance; they claimed to be offering me, special little old me, the highest salary they could possibly offer; and out of a long list of mostly terrible locations, they offered me an almost PERFECT location.

BUT, iit just seemed so shady the way they wanted me to sign right then. And I told them I wanted to think about it, and they basically threatened me that if I didn't sign right then, they would give the job away. And also they don't offer pension, which as I hear, is legally required. (By the way, I emailed them later asking them about this...will they just write me off anyway because I called them out on it?) Also they kept telling me I was right for this specific school because I "look" right for the job... the phrase "Barbie look" was actually uttered at one point. I was almost won over by it at first, "AW, they think I'm pretty...wait a minute!"

Also they insist on one opening two bank accounts...is that abnormal/shady?

Also the contract doesn't give specifics for the school they promised me...it NAMES the school they promised me, but it says so many clauses "depend on the location..." so you're signing on for god-knows-what.

Also there's no paid sick leave, and it actually says in the contract they FINE you if you miss a day of work without giving 12 hours notice. They FINE you! WTF?!

But they also have only 4 teaching hours a day; 400,000 housing allowance; 10 million key deposit; and gave me a great location.

So are the things I think are shady really a big deal? They want me to tell them by Wednesday evening! I would post the contract, but I only have it on paper and I can't type it up.

Help me, pretty please! Opinions and inside information! Thanks!

[Whistleblower]

There is never any rush. Take it at your time. Research and research some before signing your life away. Hogwans need to know that it will take minimum 4 months to get your E2 Visa. So why the 24 hour rush? Just tell them to slow down or you will move on.

[Atavistic]

[falldownstumble]

Whistleblower,
It's not a hagwon, and I'm already in Korea, so I only need to transfer my E-2 visa, so it's a little more legitimate that they think I could/should decide right away....they say they have lots of current E-2 holders lined up with interviews for this week.

Atav,
4 teaching hours a day means 4 45 minutes classes, and then 2 hours of prep, so six hours of work a day. It is pretty good.

Many things are good about it, and a few kinda big things seem shady....but really, are there any perfect jobs in Korea? Will I find anything else with the housing-money and location I want, that is NOT at least a little shady???

If anyone knows anyone who has ever worked for WIN Education, I need to hear personal experiences!!

[Paul_Zerzan]

I have to say that the housing fee is too low. 10 million would get you a nice place if you had 800,000 won to go with it each month, not counting the building fees. Maybe I'm jaded though. Either way, don't feel any pressure to sign right away. There's just not enough teachers to go around anymore and they're worried that you'll slip away if they don't pressure you into it. It's an industry standard.

[Unposter]

2 bank accounts sounds more than a little dodgy.

If there is that much pressure to get you to sign, it sounds a little dodgy. You generally want to talk to the people you are going to work for, ask a few questions, make sure this is the place you want to spend the next year of your life.

No pension is illegal. Think twice about it!

Fines for missing class??? I'd be scared. It sounds like they have had problems before.

They can offer you the moon but if they don't give it to you, what are you going to do?

I won't tell you not to take it but I certainly wouldn't.

[falldownstumble]

Paul,
No kidding? I though 10 mil. was super high for a key deposit. All I want is a one-bedroom or even a studio...Most places don't seem to offer more than 5 million if anything. I definitely didn't think that was low....

[Paul_Zerzan]

I guess it depends on the quality of life you want and where you'll be living. If you want to live in Haebangchon, then 5 million is great, although 400 is still a little low for me. 400 will get you a crappy little box in Shinchon. You deserve more than this though.

My friends in Bucheon live in loft apartments. Maybe that's unrealistic, but that's the minimum I would accept with the new teacher crunch happening.

If you want to live in a studio or a loft in Mapo, Gangnam, Apujeong, then you'll probably need the 10 million key money, and the rent will be 800,000 won each month. You need a couple hundred more for rent, or you may find yourself paying for part of your own rent.

What area do you want to live in? Will it be near your job?

I used to commute, and I'll tell you there's nothing better than being able to wake up and walk to work in my opinion.

Regardless, as Unposter noted, there are some shifty things going on in your contract. It would be enough for me not to take the job.

Check these places out:

http://www.nearsubway.com/index.htm

http://edenrealty.co.kr/

http://short-rent.com/

http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/apa/

http://englishspectrum.com/board_.php?gid=ACC

[Boodleheimer]

i was under the impression that those after-school programs were illegal. (see: EFL Law site, now part of koreabridge job discussion forums)

[tareze]

yeah, i was under the impression the new bank account thing was widely practiced but totally illegal. all that money goes into your name so theoretically if the tax office ever comes looking you're responsible for way way more than you were paid.
i would not take a job with this bank account in my name someone else controls thing, tho yes, i'm sure many do without event.

[Zaria32]

I've never heard of WIN education, but asking you to open ANY bank account = scam.

[Fresh Prince]

[joewaller]

I wouldn't except that position under any circumstances considering the many opertunities that are (strange to write this and mean it, sad really) loads better than that in Korea

[Paul_Zerzan]

check out this thread:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=110899

[cdninkorea]

There are other agencies like WIN but without those two hours of prep- you're only there for three or four hours a day, depending on the position.
Look them up on WorkNPlay.co.kr