Korean Job Discussion Forums

Yokozuna85 · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Well I am basically just going to pick apart this contract...and I would just like to know if this is of the norm, or does this sound like something I should be wary of? Thanks!

On what is expected of the employee...
5.To conduct English Conversational Class(es) for Korean teachers and/or students� parents as requested by Employer.
6.To participate in GEPIK teachers� workshop(s) conducted by Employer.
7. To perform other duties as assigned by Employer.

So I would have to teach teachers and parents? What the hell does a workshop include? And...other duties?
Can I get them to take these clauses out?

On Security Deposits...
Employee owes 900,000 Won for a deposit.

I understand that this was a thread already...but the question wasn't really answered....Should I decline b/c of this? That is a steep price for an apartment that will probably cost way less...Is there a way to take this out as well?

Thanks for any help you can give.

jadarite · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

".but the question wasn't really answered....Should I decline b/c of this?"

You should decline because one thread may not have answered (addressed) the issue to your satisfaction?

I have been here almost a year. I understand your caution, but big security deposits are the norm. If you had to get an apartment, some places would ask for 10 million won as a security deposit. If you look at apartments for rent by other teachers, they will ask for like 2 or 3 million won. Sometimes you will get lucky and be able to rent with only 1 or 2 months rent as security deposit (which is what I would expect in the US).

It seems like 900,000 won is the norm in GEPIK contracts, and they take out 300,000 won for three months. So, it's not like they are taking 1 million won out at once.

You will get a 300,000 won settlement allowance. MAKE SURE YOU GET IT!!!

It will only seem like 600,000 won then, but we should be able to get 900,000 back. I am only into my first full month at my school, and they seem to be an honest group compared to hagwons I worked at. One never asked for a security deposit, and I never actually got an apartment. The other had the same thing, but they never took the 300,000 won out. So, it might be best you go along with it, don't raise the issue and see if the school forgets.

As for your other questions, I wouldn't teach parents unless it was a part of overtime. So, that part doesn't need to be there. Just make sure overtime is like 20,000 won in your contract and that should be good enough. Teaching teachers is part the job I guess. I have to start teaching 25 teachers this Thursday and I am not sure how to go about it. Only 12 showed up last week, and it was impossible getting them to talk in English.

They ended up arguing in Korean as to which book they wanted to use. My co-teacher said to me, "I think you will need me to help translate" LOL

If the school keeps you busy during the day, then I doubt they will have time to ask you to do "other duties". At my school, they wanted a ton of lesson planning. I complained about it and explained where I could be spending that time instead. They agreed, and now my co-teacher has to do the daily planning. I will help him out though, just not do all the paperwork the school initially requested.

If you are still worried about this, you could ask them what they mean. I wouldn't be worried too much though. At 4:30, lights out, and the school doesn't expect you (at least at my school) to stay any longer.

Yokozuna85 · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

hey jadarite,

thanks a whoooole bunch for the response. It was very informative. Yeah, I'm going into this with caution..and the only reason why I raised the question about the security is because people from the other posts were like (THAT SHOULDN'T BE ASKED OF YOU BLA BLA BLA)...so I was just clarifying. I figured it was fine considering the US has us pay deposits, plus it makes sense...if you ruin their apartment and all.

I will confront them about teaching parents and stuff. Thanks for shedding some light on how the PS system works. Much appreciated!

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Yokozuna85 · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Thank you ttompatz. I guess I had one last question on the matter. This one is pertaining to the SMOE contract...it states:

3. Employer may designate Employee to work part time as needed at other educational
facilities under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. In this
case, Employee shall not claim for any additional pay.

What does this mean exactly? You guys have been a great help,can't thank you enough.

red_devil · Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Location: Korea

GEPIK is ridiculous. There are so many jobs out there, there's no need to get into a bad contract.

I've never had to pay a "deposit" on a house or anything. That just shows they don't trust their own hiring process. I've also never had to teach students parents or co-teachers. If you have to at least get paid a decent amount for it.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

jadarite · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject:

Well, at least one month's rent would seem fair. When they ask for 900,000 won or more, you got to ask yourself why. They already have your money while you work. That is at least 2 million a month. If you account for severance and airfare, they have at least 5 million won owed to you.

What do they need all that money for?

I feel we need to be allowed to work multiple locations. It's bordering on slavery when you are confined to 1 location. I am surprised this hasn't become a human rights issue. It should.

Teelo · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Wellington, NZ

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

Yokozuna85 · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Ahh jeeze,

I guess this question will never be answered...Some people saying it should not be asked of you, some people saying its the norm with public schools. Has anyone from GEPIK actually paid this amount and got it back? If YES, then its the norm, and I'm peachy keen on it. I don't think the government in Korea is going to keep my money, but instead return it to me when the time comes.

Now...how about that other question of mine? In the SMOE contract it states:

3. Employer may designate Employee to work part time as needed at other educational
facilities under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. In this
case, Employee shall not claim for any additional pay.

What does that mean? I'll have to work w/o pay?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Yokozuna85 · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Ah here to save the day again ttompatz haha, thanks. It seems all my questions on contracts have been filled, but I'm sure I'll come up w/ many more on living in Korea and such.

red_devil · Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Location: Korea

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

I've had some schools try not to repay the 900,000 Won deposit especially if they thought that I was returning home. I had my next school call them and get them to send the money.

Many schools want you to teach English camps during the summer and winter break.

I have had to teach teachers at all my schools, which is fun at some schools and torture at others. It all depends upon their attitudes.

Other duties often include recruiting. Showing up at events outside of school, etc. I often bring up the working hours to avoid unneccessarily late nights. But this doesn't not excuse one from dinners that the school has. Also, I have had classes cancelled for recruitment events, such as going to other schools to say hello to the students, etc. during normal school hours.

I have NEVER had to teach parents.