Korean Job Discussion Forums

nate2008 · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Location: Daegu

Cheers all,

I didn't want to post this in the contract sticky thread because it's just a public school contract that looks pretty standard. There is, however, a clause that I was not expecting.

It basically says that for the first 2 months, an "Indemnity" charge of 300,000 won will be "set aside" from my paycheck, making a total of 600,000 won that will be essentially held hostage until I complete the contract. If at the end of the contract I owe any money for anything (IE damages to housing, etc) it will be deducted from the 600,000. The rest will be paid back to me once I complete the contract.

Is this normal? I haven't really researched standard contracts at all but this caught me off guard.

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

This is something which is becoming a standard part of public school contracts. GEPIK contracts actually have a 300,000 taken out for the first 3 months - so a total of 900,000 won held. It, less any outstanding bills/damange is given back to you with your final pay (It is supposed to be given back on your final day)

nate2008 · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Location: Daegu

okay i had a feeling that was the case, thanks

TBirdMG · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: SF, CA, USA

Yes, per the previous poster's comments -- the "withholding" of anywhere from 500k to 1mil won to ensure the safe and secure return of housing (including paid bills, telephone, etc) is quickly becoming the norm.

However, the total amount held can be negotiable in many cases. Instead of 3 months at 300k, or 2 months at 500k, try to negotiate a one time withholding of 500k or less FLAT. This still expresses a goodwill gesture that you won't put too many holes in your apartment walls, and still frees up more of your salary...while reducing the sacrifice if you ever do indeed need to make a midnight run.

Good luck!

TB

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Technically, it's against Korean labor law. But, many schools won't deal with you if you refuse to accept it.

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

What's up? Don't you people understand the word NO?

We're in demand here. If all teachers said 'no' to this BS, it wouldn't be a problem. Get a backbone.

reimund · Joined: 01 Oct 2007

In my GEPIK contract, there is nothing that states what happens to the deposit if you quit early. Does anyone know?

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

If you stay in Korea, you can challenge any attempt to keep money from the deposit, at Labor. You'll win because it's against Labor law to keep the deposit, in the first place.
Don't use this as an excuse to trash your apartment because, if you stay in Korea, your former school can come after you to recoup legit losses due to damage they can prove you did in any apartment provided to you. Be an ADULT and don't trash your apartment when you leave.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

This new rule acutally it has been around for years in one format or another to me seems fair. But try to negotiate what you think is fair for a end of year deposit. Also set up the rules of what it is for! Missed bills -OK, Damage to Apartment - OK, Missed days due to sickness (real) - nope., You leave at 11 months and they need to recoup recuiter fee - nope.

Also if you can try to set up a third person to hold it and run it! Thru that might end up being difficult. So if you leave said third person makes the choice of what is what and deducts!