Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mmstyle]

My husband and have just arrived and started working for SMOE. I am wondering if anyone else has had their pay level disregarded.

I am wondering if anyone else is having this problem. I should specify that this post is about my husband's contract. Mine has been honored (at least in terms of pay-I'm not considering minor issues we've had in this post, at the moment, though they've cost us a fair bit).

His relevant credentials and experience for the contract:
1 year of experience in Korea, public school.
TEFL certificate, completed before entering Korea-it is 100 hours.

He has a signed, level F contract.

The contract does not specify what the credentials and experience are for this level, but it is a signed legal document. Also, his pay is per SMOE guidelines-which were confirmed for us by Jon Pak in his interview with my husband, and which they advertise as the salary levels. This is what we were emailed.


Level H: 1.8 million won per month
� A Bachelor�s degree from an accredited university in one of major English-speaking countries with the instructions taught in English.
Level G: 2.0 million won per month
Must have one of the following qualifications:
� A valid teacher certification for either elementary or secondary level schools.
� A Bachelor�s degree in Education.
� A Bachelor�s degree in English, English Education, English Literature, or Linguistics.
� A TESOL/TEFL or an English Teaching Certificate comprised of a minimum of 100 course hours.
� A Master's degree.
� A Bachelor's degree with at least ONE (1) full year of English teaching experience at accredited institutions.
Level F: 2.2 million won per month
Must have one of the following qualifications:
� In addition to one of the requirements for Level G, ONE (1) full year of English teaching experience at accredited institutions including at the SMOE.
� A teacher certification with specialization in English Education.
� A Master�s degree in Education.


On pay day, he was paid level G, minus deductions. He went to the SMOE offices today and was told that he is not level F and he will not be paid at that level. They are arguing that the TEFL and 1 year of experience equal level G, not F.

So, I am wondering, has anyone else been told the same thing, or have the same credentials and NOT have this problem?

Also, besides calling the labor board, what else can we do, especially legally? My husband likes his school, would prefer to keep working there (at level F) and does not want to spoil the working relationship with his school, but wants the contract honored by SMOE.

Funny, being paid what you are owed on time, etc., is supposed to be the one big draw with SMOE, isn't it?

[Otherside]

I've never heard of something like this.

I'd hope that he'd be able to go to the SMOE office with his contract (saying level F), proof of 1 years experience and his TEFL certificate and say "I think there's been a misunderstanding" and SMOE would reply "*teeth sucking sound* ah yes...we'll contact your school and have this resolved."

[mmstyle]

Wish it were that simple. It's not his school refusing to pay-it's not up to his school. This was SMOE refusing to pay him. And he had his contract in hand, as well as the certificates for his TEFL. We both submitted proof of teaching letters form our old schools to SMOE when we applied for these jobs.

An added question-my husband is wondering if he can (legally, though it may cause some problems) go to the labor board first thing. The elementary school teachers in our district have some sort of "living in Korea" type seminar instead of working. It sounds like it's supposed to run from 8.30 to go-knows-when (per the form, about 8 at night). So, way past labor board hours (not to mention the contractual hours!).

[harlowethrombey]

from what I've heard and read SMOE seems to be the most dependable employer around.

this is a strange situation. Who did you talk to?

One of the problems with dealing with bureaucracy(esp in Korea) is sometimes you speak to someone that has no idea what they're talking about but will give you a definate answer so as not to lose face.

If you have proof of all this and the contract has it written in black and white they cant deny it. I'd say give them one more chance, make sure you talk to the right person, and if that doesnt clear it up inform them that you'll be going to the labor board about it.

[Binch Lover]

When I started with SMOE, I had one year's hagwon experience plus a TEFL certificate. I was paid 2.2 at level F.

The contract they sent me and I signed specifically mentioned the pay grade and salary. Check his contract again. If it's the same as the contract I signed, it mentions the salary in article 9.

[loralh]

Hey, I'm a level F, One years experience in Korean public elementary, and 100 telf before I came here 2 years ago.

signed with smoe and pay scale was honored and I very surprised to hear of your problem.

What did smoe exactly say was the reason he wasn't receiving his contracted pay? I mean level G is tefl right and level F would be tefl plus one year teaching?

[mmstyle]

This is mmS's husband. I have 100 hrs of Tefl and one year of teaching experience. I actually have a signed and stamped contract for Lvl F and 2.2 mil, but have been paid 2 mil. They are trying to tell me that 100 hrs of Tefl and 1 years experience (mine is with EPIK) only qualifies me for lvl G, and essentially that the contract I have been sent was a mistake. When I argued against this, she (SMOE woman) tried to argue that the TEFL wasn't completed in time ... that is, wasn't completed when I signed the contract, which it wasn't (I was told by SMOE that as long as it was completed by the time I entered the country, which it was, everything was fine). Of course, arguing that I haven't completed TEFL and arguing that TEFL and teaching makes me lvl G are two entirely different arguments. I got the feeling she was just trying to use whatever argument she could to justify me being lvl G.

Anyhow, I have a signed and stamped lvl F contract, so I really don't see SMOE having a leg to stand on. I'm telling my school tomorrow that I can't work because my contract has been breached and I have to go to the labour board immediately.

If anyone with one years experience and 100 hrs of TEFL and a lvl F contract could PM me (well, my wife) for further discussion that would be great.

Thought SMOE was supposed to be more reliable than a Hagwon ... hmmmm.

[moosehead]

they are right about the TEFL needing to be completed before the contract goes into effect.

if there was a misunderstanding regarding this aspect of the contract, Labor will probably side with the school, because it's always been that way (about the needing to complete the certificates BEFORE the contracts start).

seems like everyone will say it was a misunderstanding, which sounds like it was.

if you like your school, then stay, and an actual apology might be in order - seriously - unless someone told you differently - that contract you received (and signed) might have been with the understanding you had already completed your TEFL.

when I started with SMOE a couple of years ago, they misunderstood me having had a year of grad studies (which I interrupted to come to K) and started me with a much higher salary because they thought I had a masters'. They realized their mistake and lowered my salary. They contacted me and explained but never ever even tried, or asked, for the overpayment back.

they are on the ball about salaries, they are audited and have to be. there are so many other ways they have to screw you

just wait and see

salary just isn't one of them

[Bibbitybop]

In the past, NSETs who completed a TEFL mid-contract were given a payraise if the TEFL certificate did indeed push them to a higher level. Some high-level NSETs can't get to a higher level with a TEFL.

[Straphanger]

[mmstyle]

Straphanger, you are correct. The TEFL was completed in January, the contract started in March. He was assured (by the interviewer) that this was OK, and he was in fact encouraged to do the TEFL for the higher level of pay. Jon Pak even emailed my husband after he was sent the level F contract saying that it ought to have been a level G, but that since it could easily be changed once he entered Korea, his notice of appointment was being sent based on the level F contract.

(This is MMS's husband) Yes, I was given multiple assurance that having completed the TEFL before entering Korea I would be hired as a level F employee, the most obvious being the level F contract SMOE sent me. Though this was not SMOE's original argument. Originally they argued that having 100 hours of TEFL and 1 year experience DID NOT qualify me for level F.

I'll let you all know what the labour board says soon.

[KYC]

That's very...strange. If you signed an F level contract, you should be paid at an F level.


I signed with SMOE back in August. I had 1 year experience with GEPIK and a 100 hour TEFL certificate. They signed me at 2.2 (level F) and I've had no problems since.

[Faunaki]

Strange indeed. I suggest that you talk to your district supervisor first. (Please see list of supervisors and numbers below). Also, don't go to the labor board yet. Go above Jon (who is an imbecile) and go directly to Mrs. Ryu who is the woman in charge of SMOE. Her info:

Mrs. Ryu:

[email protected]

And her office phone:

02-3999-387

And her cell phone:

019-270-7936



1. Seongdong District Office of Education (성동교육청) 02-2286-3741
Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu
http://www.sensd.go.kr/index.h...tml
Superintendent: 윤명숙 Yoon, Myeong-Sook 2286-3601


2. Seobu DOE (서부교육청) 02-390-5500
Daehyun-dong, Seodaemun-gu
http://www.sens.go.kr/
Superintendent: 경상호 Kyung, Sang-Ho


3. Jungbu DOE (중부교육청) 02-708-6500
Hyoje-dong, Jongro-gu
http://www.senjb.go.kr/index.h...tml
Superintendent: 성기옥 Sung, Ki-Ok


4. Sungbuk DOE (성북교육청) 02-944-9400
Mia-dong, Kangbuk-gu
http://www.sensb.go.kr/index.j...sp
Superintendent: 김대성 Kim, Dae-Sung


5. Dongbu DOE (동부교육청) 02-2210-1200
Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu
http://www.sendb.go.kr/
Superintendent: 이기성 Lee, Ki-Sung


6. Bukbu DOE (북부교육청) 02-3499-6990
Chang-dong, Dobong-gu
http://www.ben.go.kr/
Superintendent: 진장관 Jin, Jang-Gwan


7. Nambu DOE (남부교육청) 02-2165-0381
Dangsan-dong, Youngdeungpo-gu
http://www.nambuedu.seoul.kr/
Superintendent: 주영기 Joo, Young-Gi


8. Kangnam DOE (강남교육청) 02-545-1577
Samsung-dong, Kangnam-gu
http://www.knen.go.kr/index.js...p
Superintendent: 황남택 Hwang, Nam-Taek

[harlowethrombey]

Level D and I've always been paid correctly.

Part of my ESL experience was teaching for NOva in japan and they were pretty understanding about me not being able to provide a reference (as Nova collapsed spectacularly), I just offered to show them pay stubs from different times (working for a skeevy company like Nova you start to keep all relevant info for future protection).


Sorry to hear you're getting the runaround. THe other posters are right, though, it sounds like the labor board will side with SMOE. Just remember that contracts here aren't nearly as 'ironclad' as they would be back home. Fudging and pushing around some of the stipulated points is just par for the course (and this can be good and bad for you).

With that said, I still think SMOE is the most reliable employer you're going to find here so I'd be careful about burning any bridges.

[mmstyle]

Thanks Faunaki. I am hoping that my husband's school can get this all taken care of with SMOE, before he has to take it that far.