Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sulla]

I am wondering about this. I am thinking about accepting a public school job in Busan and I would like to get as many hours of overtime as possible. Is it very likely or just case by case at each individual school? Or should I accept a public school job in Gyeonggido? Would the odds of getting overtime be better there?

[Ukon]

[cruisemonkey]

It depends on the individual school. Unless it it written into the contract there are no guarantees. However, the chances are more likely than not that you will be asked to do 'overtime' (K terminology - "extended works"), or teach more than 22 classes per week (usually) within your regular hours.

I have read of people who want 'overtime' and can't get any. I've been offered tons of 'overtime' and turned it down - I value my time more than the money - except this term, when once a week, I do stay 45 min. late (part of my 22 classes/week) to teach an advanced class in exchange for 2 hours credit toward extra holidays during winter vacation. I could negotiate this because it's a situation not coverd by the contract or foreseen by the 'powers that be'. The only guidance was the K-Labor Standatds Act which stated one gets a bonus of at least 50% of regular wages i.e. time-and-a half, for extended works (more the 8 hrs./day or 40 hrs./week).

[BS.Dos.]

I think that there's a definite correlation between school size and the likelihood of extra earning potential. The bigger the school, the bigger the chance of spinning out some extra lessons. Certainly true at both of my small 180 student schools and is perhaps the biggest draw back as far as opting to teach in smaller towns as opposed to the large urban municipalities.

[KYC]

[BS.Dos.]

Well, I think your school is probably the exception rather than the rule then. Seems that most on here who pull-in extra classes are in schools that are larger rather than smaller.

The fact that you never had any OT at your previous small school, but get 2-hours per week now at your bigger school confirms as much.

[ardis]

My friends who work at elementary schools don't get as much over time as myself and my friends at middle/high schools. Last semester, I got paid for eight overtime hours a week. I was constantly lesson planning for them, though, and I think they realized that I wasn't enjoying them so they asked if I wanted to only do four a week this semester. It's a lot better for me now.

[elavndrc]

I really think the amount of overtime depends on the school. I just have to teach for an hour once a week for after-school classes. Within that hour, I split myself between two classes.

I think overtime only counts if you are teaching correct? Because I usually stay after an hour or two everyday after the 4:30PM mark for foreign teachers. It just feels wrong to see everyone working and you're leaving so early.

[cruisemonkey]

[ardis]