Korean Job Discussion Forums

[purple_octi]

Hello All,

Just been offered a job at SLP Mapo. The location is great and the foreign teachers seem pretty happy, to the point where a majority of them resign their contracts. Does any have any experience at the SLP Mapo location? I know SLP is commonly called Slave Labor Program although that is not the impression I get from the teachers at this location. Any and all help will be appreciated!!!

[garykasparov]

[Big4Jerm3]

The only bad thing I've read on SLP is the hours you work. I don't care how good the conditions are, you will be working twice the hours as PS teachers and around 500 more minutes teaching per week than the average hagwon teacher- all for equal or less money! Not sure where the advantage is with SLP.

[nomad-ish]

speak to former teachers. they don't have to worry about their school screwing them over if they tell the truth

[garykasparov]

Hagwons

It would be a good idea to e-mail the following questions to more than two foreign teachers who are currently working at the school. In addition to, speak with a former teacher. If you speak to a teacher over the telephone, there�s a good chance the employer may be listening to the telephone conversation.

Working Hours

( 1 ) What are your working hours?
( 2 ) When do you prepare for your classes?
( 3 ) How long do you prepare for your classes?
( 4 ) How long are your breaks?
( 5 ) Does your employer allow you to use your breaks freely?
( 6 ) How many classes do you teach per day?
( 7 ) How much time do you spend teaching per class?
( 8 ) What hours do you work during the summer vacation, winter vacation, and weekends?

Job Duties

( 1 ) What job duties do you perform that are not written in your contract?
( 2 ) How often do you perform the above duties?

Wages & Overtime Wages

( 1 ) Does your employer always pay overtime wages?
( 2 ) Does your employer pay your wages in cash or deposit your wages into your Korean bank account?
( 3 ) How does your employer calculate overtime wages?

Pay receipt

( 1 ) Does your employer provide pay receipts that clearly state the date of pay, pay period dates, overtime wages earned, monthly salary including deductions from your monthly salary for ( i ) pension, ( ii ) income tax and ( iii ) health insurance?

Health Insurance

( 1 ) Has your employer provided you with a health insurance card?
( 2 ) Does your employer pay contributions for both parties to the National Health Insurance Corporation?
( 3 ) Does your employer respect your right to medical privacy?

Pension

( 1 ) Does your employer pay into the Korean Pension Plan?

Income Taxes

( 1 ) Does your employer always deduct the correct amount for income taxes from your monthly salary?
( 2 ) Does your employer pay deductions from your monthly salary for income taxes to the tax office?

Severance Pay

( 1 ) Does your employer always pay severance pay upon completion of the contract?

Living Conditions

( 1 ) Was your apartment clean upon arrival?
( 2 ) Were you provided with all the furnishings as stated in your contract?
( 3 ) Were all the furnishings/appliances in working order when you moved into your apartment?
( 4 ) Are the bills in your name or your employer's name?
( 5 ) If the bills are in your employer's name, does your employer deduct the correct amount from your monthly salary for utilities?
( 6 ) Does your employer respect your right to privacy?

Paid Annual Leave

( 1 ) When and how do you use your paid annual leave?

Dismissal

( 1 ) Does your employer have a reputation of dismissing teachers for the sole purpose of not paying them last month�s wages, airfare and severance pay?

Financial

( 1 ) Is the school in financial trouble?

Discipline Methods

( 1 ) Is your employer abusive towards students?
( 2 ) Is your employer abusive towards teachers?

Paid Sick Leave

( 1 ) Have you used a paid sick leave day?
( 2 ) If yes to ( 1 ), how did your employer react?
( 3 ) If teachers use a day of paid sick leave, does your employer require them to work another day to make up for the hours missed?

Students/Teachers

( 1 ) How many students attend the school?
( 2 ) How many foreign teachers and Korean teachers work at the school?

[purple_octi]

So far I have only spoken with one teacher but expect to be able to talk to at least 2 more. I am additionally hoping to find some former teachers through a network like this or through older teachers. Most people at this location seem to renew their contract for at least one additional year.

I asked the teacher about outside duties and meetings, working hours, if payment is always on time, compliance with pension/taxes/medical care, and the apartment conditions and proximity to amenities, such as subway, grocery, etc. The teacher said the structure within the school is very good and the director is very helpful and amiable. Any other suggestions for questions? Should I specifically ask for former teacher e-mails?

Thanks!

[purple_octi]

also, the hours at this location are generally 9:40-6ish or 11:40-7:20. this does not sound excessive to me, with a one hour lunch break included.

[nomad-ish]

[garykasparov]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=126486

The problem, in my opinion, is the OP is grabbing the first job opportunity that looks good without asking tough question and doing all the research that should be done before departure. The above link is proof of a poor job offer. It's a terrible contract. I wouldn't be surprised if the SLP contract stinks.

[purple_octi]

no, i rejected that offer from kid's college. i am newbie and trying to work my way through these things rationally. which tough questions am i not asking that i should be asking?

[Roch]

If it is the one located across the street from Jenny's Cafe and just up the street from Seongsu Station, then think a gazillion times before working for this criminal-minded outfit.

I had my passport withheld from me back in June, 2004 from the QUIFF and had to, ahem, purchase my passport from the South African lackey working on his behalf.

The unethically-minded owner's daughter has a degree from Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences tacked onto the wall behind his desk.

She's not even a pretty gal! Why in the fork does Daddy Boy and Momma Gal have her pic on the wall behind the main counter?

They, you surely agree, must-uh be-uh punished a.s.a.p.!!!!!!

[Roch]