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Been There, Taught That
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Mungyeong: not a village, not yet a metroplex.
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 Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject: Recruiter-paid Airfare: Mixed Blessing? |
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I was recently contacted by a recruiter who had, of course, a great job in a public school I should look into. The school, an elementary in Suwon, actually had promise, looked good and all that, but I told her no thanks because there were plenty of privates that were fair to great that would put the airfare on the table instead of reimbursing. That's when she told me that the recruiting company itself would be happy to put forward the airfare, and I should expect an airfare agreement in my email. Here it is:
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Dear [prospective teacher]:
This letter of understanding is to outline an agreement between you and
[recruiter]. so that we may provide you with an air ticket to get you to your new teaching position in South Korea. We are willing to honor this commitment; however, there are some terms and conditions we must agree to first.
1. Advancing costs of travel:
[recruiter] (hereinafter �[recruiter]�) will pay the cost of a one way economy class air ticket on behalf of [teacher] (hereinafter �the teacher�) in advance of departure with the understanding of both parties that this is NOT standard practice.
2. Limitations on Reimbursing costs of travel:
Due to limitations between GEPIK (hereinafter �the employer�) and [recruiter], the school in Korea may not be able to reimburse [recruiter] directly. The teacher will be provided the cost of reimbursement and the teacher will need to reimburse [recruiter].
3. Time:
The teacher will reimburse to [recruiter] the money given to them by the employer within 30 days of receiving said payment from the school.
4. Failure to reimburse [recruiter]:
If for any reason the teacher fails to reimburse [recruiter] within the time indicated, [recruiter] reserves the right to have the cost of the airfare deducted from the teacher�s salary. For 2, 3 and 4, I've since found out that GEPIK and the recruiter will be collaborating, bypassing me altogether on reimbursement
But here's the real kicker for me:
5. Failure to complete the term of the contract:
If for any reason the teacher does not complete their contract, thus necessitating their replacement by [recruiter], [recruiter] is entitled to deduct the cost of airfare for the replacement teacher from the salary of the teacher.
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I've been in privates, and I mentioned that 'for any reason, seems just too broad, and is there any provision for those who, by arbitrary school decision, are let go without having done anything at all (it happens in hagwons, but I don't know if publics can be that way).
However, if teacher decides to leave because conditions or anything are not right, well, there you go. Plus, if a new teacher does come and gets recruiter-paid airfare (or doesn't, for that matter), how am I to know, it's a situation open to at least double-dipping, or just dishonesty about the need to charge the outgoing teacher.
Plus, something I don't like, it gives the teacher an ongoing obligation-type connection to the recruiter. Once I get there, I don't want to have to be beholden to the recruiter for anything.
But if publics are always secure and happy and I never have to worry, the point is moot, isn't it? |
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oskinny1
Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Location: Right behind you!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Get 5 out of the contract!! Not your job to pay for a new teacher coming over. I would personally say screw it with this recruiter, they are not worth it. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Nooooo way I would sign that. How about ur soul, have u signed that away as well? I'd tell them in no uncertain terms to smooch me where the sun don't shine. |
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jadarite
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Location: Andong, Yeongyang, Seoul, now Pyeongtaek
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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You shouldn't have to make any agreements with a recruiter. The recruiter works for the school. This alone should make you move on. Then, they say they want YOU to reimburse them?  Isn't the school supposed to pay for your airfare (before you come or reimburse upon arrival)?
I would say, "If the recruiter wants to pay for airfare, the school should reimburse the recruiter when the teacher arrives."
The only condition I would agree to involving me and a recruiter is if I didn't show up for the flight and the recruiter paid for it. Then, I would feel obligated to reimburse the recruiter. This assumes there were no time conflicts or other matters which would not make me 100% responsible. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Only an idiot would agree to the conditions contained in that letter. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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FYI,
When I signed with my previous ps, my recruiter [park english] paid for my airfare. I did NOT have to sign any waiver or document with park english. I signed a standard gepik contract with my school.
There are other teachers I know whose recruiters paid for their airfare as well. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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| walk away from that recruiter entirely |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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| That recruiter is a scumbag recruiter. Care to post the name of that recruiter so others can avoid them? Is it Korvia? |
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Been There, Taught That
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Mungyeong: not a village, not yet a metroplex.
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| Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:25 am Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
| That recruiter is a scumbag recruiter. Care to post the name of that recruiter so others can avoid them? Is it Korvia? |
Thanks for the help. Based on what I've received, here's my plan:
1. I am letting the recruiter know that the agreement is unacceptable. I'm hoping they will want the placement more than they want to push ths agreement. That's what I hope, anyway.
2. If they insist or can't see their way around it, I will thank them for recommending me to GEPIK and tell them that I will have to find another recruiter--maybe Park English-- who can complete my placement (I sent all my documents directly to GEPIK) without the hassle.
3. If I have to, I will actually do that.
4. I'm hoping this will make them agreeable and I won't have to place their name here. If it doesn't, I will. It's only fair for all potentials, I think.
It's not Korvia.
Now, all I need to know is will another recruiter be willing to make the placement if need be. What are the politics? |
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