Korean Job Discussion Forums

shinraunit · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Is this illegal, or indicative of some vile plan to use me and cut me at the six month mark and make me pay for airfare/not give back "deposits?"

They also "recommended" that I take a TEFL program while I am in Korea (since I have no prior experience)

They're in a huge hurry to get me over there, Oct 30 being the time I "must be in Korea"

By the way, this is a private elementary school (not hagwon) that has been around for over 40 years, if that's any consolation.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject:

consider it a gift

some try hard to get 6-month contracts and I've always thought it an IDEAL term for a first contract

even if your job situation, housing or neighbourhood is awful it'll be a couple of months before it's intolerable and by then you'll only have a couple of months left on your contract!

JUMP at the chance for A SIX MONTH CONTRACT AND IF YOU LIKE THE PLACE RE-SIGN AFTER FOR A YEAR OR HAVE THE supreme benefit of being able to research your NEXT job by checking it out in person

sojourner1 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject:

I've wished it were based on 6 month contracts, but labor and visa laws run on an annual basis.

shinraunit · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

"I've wished it were based on 6 month contracts, but labor and visa laws run on an annual basis."

So does that mean it is illegal after all?

Also, would it be unreasonable for me to ask for the employer to cover half or all of the TEFL course, since it seems to be a condition for employment?

broken76 · Joined: 27 Jan 2008

A six month contract is legal. You can get an E2 Visa for 6 months if the school requests it. I believe that the maximum length of an E2 is one year. One year is not the required length.
In the contract make sure it stipulates how airfare and severance will be handled. Since it is the school that is requesting a shorter contract they should pay severance pay equal to half a month's worth of play.
As for the return flight it is definitely something you should negotiate.
If they are requesting a TEFL course are they paying for it or giving you a raise for taking it?

shinraunit · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

It might be a raise... at first my recruiter said pay would be 2100, but she sent me a new contract (which is now for 6 months, wheras it was for 1 year earlier) this morning with a new value of 2200 .

The contract is written exactly like a 1 year contract, except with the actual length shortened to 6 months. Severance and airfare says end of contract and 1 year, respectively.

Recruiter says I can take TEFL course via the net, and she requested the course in email... no mention of it in the contract.

broken76 · Joined: 27 Jan 2008

If the contract is specifically worded for a 6 month period with severance and airfare then it is legit.
As for the TEFL getting a 100,000 won raise is pretty standard.
The only concern that you should have would be on taxes back home. For US citizens you are required to post income made abroad on your tax forms if you spent less than one year abroad. So for people who spend a year in Korea you won't be taxed, but if it's under a year you will be. Can't remember the exact length but I believe it is about a year.

RJjr · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Turning on a Lamp

slim dusty · Joined: 17 Apr 2008

I'm on a 6 month contract. I've renewed it once - there's no problem with that. The pay is quite high, 2.8 million per month with 400,000 living expenses on top, coming to a gross of 3.2 million. There's no yearly bonus nor airflight worded into the contract, however there are deductions for health insurance and pension. I've got a F-2-1 visa, which might make for some differences regarding the visa sponsorship arrangement with your school. Anyway, that's my gig.

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

My first 4 contracts were 6 months. It's completely legal. Also, if the contract is only for 6 months you can do a visa transfer to change jobs. The rule is 9 months out of a 1 year contract, but if you have a 6 month contract you just have to finish it.

shinraunit · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Now they wanna shorten it to 4 months.

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

Then to me it is starting to sound like they just want someone to fill in for a few months until someone they really want is available... And they are having trouble finding someone local who will work for a few months ... Which might just mean that they are not seen as a good place to work by people who are on the ground here in country and able to check the school out themselves ... There are plenty of other jobs out there, unless you really do want a short term contract.