Korean Job Discussion Forums

[McQwaid]

Hello,

I'll to be teaching in Korea in 3 wks and I'm really excited. The job is in Seocho-Gu, at The Seoul Education Training Institute. They came to Toronto for the interview, so I think that's a good thing.....is it? Anyway, they had this item in the contract mentioning overtime, but It sounds a little weird. Here it is:

......"Actual class instruction hours of employee shall not exceed 22hours per week. (If exceeded, employee shall be entitled to a supplementary class instruction pay at the rate of 20,000 won per hour and if they work over time, over time pay will be provided at the rate of 6,000 won per hour)"......

I work 40hrs a week 9:30-5:30. Does this mean that if I'm teaching I'll get 20,000, but if I'm in my office working, I only get 6000? If this is the normal trend, I'll deal with it, but I don't even know if I'm reading it
correctly?

I would also greatly appreciate an opinion on this contract item too:

"(3) Pension fund is a payment implemented by the government to protect the employee in case of a tragedy or retirement which are the only cases the money is refunded to the employee. This fund is comprised of 4.5% borne by the employer SMOE, and another 4.5% payment borne by the employee, deducted from monthly pay. "

Are they really gonna take 4.5% of my monthly pay? That's like a $100 a month I'll never see. Is this normal?

I was also wondering...if I want to go to, let's say, Itaweon - Is it like an hours travels using the public transport system? Or is it like 15 min?I'm in Seocho-gu and I get the impression it's a little outside of things. I'm also having a hard time picturing how long it takes to get around.

Thanks to anyone who has some adviCe.......

[Derrek]

6,000 an hour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ????????????????

Sounds terrible!!!!!!!!! Lowest I've heard is 15,000 an hour overtime, with many between 20,000 and 25,000. Wondering if it's a typo, and should say 16,000???

Let's hope that they aren't planning to work you overtime, or you will suddenly be making less and less for more and more work.

Really, I'm not trying to scare you, but I hope that it's not a situation where they are planning to work you through the ground at just 6,000 won an hour OT.

Otherwise, if they're not, you're probably fine.

As for Seocho-Gu, it's not far from Itaewon, and in terms of Seoul, it's not outside of things at all. You're not far from Kangnam, either.. Maybe 35 to 40 minutes by subway from Seocho to Itaewon. Not a bad place to be, I'd guess, although I have never lived there.

Try this page to calculate distance from subway stations:
http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr/english_subway/e-intro.jsp

The pension sounds about right, but I'm no expert. I think you can get that back when you leave, if you know how/where to apply.

[Son Deureo!]

[Mr. Pink]

I have no idea about the OT payment.

However I remember someone else posting about that job you mention you took. Do a search under the name of the company or Seocho-Gu. Should give you an idea...if there is another person, you could always send a PM.

[shawner88]

I can't imagine working a 40 hour/week job ever again. That's one of the downsides of teaching here...makes you lazy.

[hellofaniceguy]

6000 Won for O/T! Man! That's LOW LOW! The going rate at schools is 200.000-30.000 per hour. Privates, 40.000 and up.
Anyway, you signed the contract, so....
Still, 22 hours of teaching time, that's what, 88 a month. Beter than a hokwon! But Universities are at 12-15 hours a week, Lucky me I guess and one problem is 5 months vacation! But not at once!
Make connections in seoul, network, etc. and find a university position for your next contract.

[Toby]

That overtime statement doesn't really make sense, so check it out with the institute.

Seocho is a nice area to live. It is the third most expensive place to own a house and there are a lot of lawyers/doctors/professors who live there. It is 2 stops from Gangnam which is a really busy area, but very few foreigners, which is GOOD.

Itaewon is a good place to live as it is full of foreigners and is very convenient for bars/shops/restaurants that cater for foreigners. The apartments are cheap too, so if you decide to go it on your own you can get a sizeable place for considerably less than you would in Seocho. There are buses that go to Itaewon from Seocho and it costs about 5,000 in a taxi. Subway is quick too. I guess about 30 minutes. Or you could buy a scooter - 10 minutes door to door.

Personally, Itaewon isn't a place I would live as it is often too tempting to just 'go for one'. Depends on your will power and personality I suppose. Refraining can be restraining!

Yes. 4.5% is about right for your pension. But. You need to chenck they are paying it as someplaces claim they are and then just take the money for themselves from your paycheck, and then, when you come to claim it back at the end, it isn't there! Some schools don't enforce it, even though it is law, as it costs them more money - 4.5% of your salary.

Try and speak to someone at the school. It will clear up a lot of questions for you.

Good luck.

[TECO]

[happy]

6000 won per hour as overtime is not good money!