Korean Job Discussion Forums

thecount · Joined: 10 Nov 2009

I've heard that GEPIK is very reliable as far as placement goes, but clauses such as this one have me wondering:

ARTICLE 17: (Security Deposit)
"1. Employee shall be responsible for and protect Employer from any liability or damages arising from or in relation to any negligent, faulty, or illegal activity during the Term of Employment under this contract. Therefore, Employee shall agree in written form to provide 300,000 KRW per month to school administration office either on or by eighteenth (1 Cool

of every month for the first 3 months of employment until it amounts to a total of 900,000 KRW. Employee who has their own housing arrangement and married couples who are both employed by GPOE shall also be required to provide the deposit to school respectively."

That seems to be a pretty sizable chunk of the monthly salary. Anyone familiar with this program able to comment? Is this deposit money relatively "safe," or do they generally try find ways to withhold it from you?

Thanks,
Ben

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK deposit stipulations...

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject:

GEPIK: "Sign this - XXX..."

CM: "No."

Jenrose · Joined: 04 Feb 2003

I saw that as well in a contract that I've received, and thought it was pretty steep. I'm still waiting to hear back about it. Confused

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with the contract, for the most part! Smile

jmuns · Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Location: earth

GEPIK isn't holding your money, the school is, and not all schools are the same. my school offers to buy me new things for my apt all the time, and they bought all new appliances as well. oh and my schools creative accounting has me working 4 hours of overtime a month, and its at W22500/hr.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I had one school do this, and they paid me back. I had the same thing in a hagwon contract but they didn't actually take the money out. They did however decide to not pay me for my final month.

Conclusion, worry more about hagwons than what GEPIK will do to you. You are more likely to get the money back, as in my case.

As a side note, I don't see how overtime and 300,000 won three times relates to overtime "abuse". Overtime "abuse" will happen anywhere you go.

Right now, my current school wants me to work Saturdays in case the school has to close due to Swine Flu paranoia. This has NOTHING to do with security deposits.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:12 am Post subject:

BigLarry · Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Location: Anywhere there is wine.

It's called a deposit. Frankly it's not that much when you consider the amount they are investing in you and the reputation of new ESL teachers to run away.

GEPIK is the most reputable and safest teaching scheme there is, you've got nothing to worry about on this one.

tokkibunni8 · Joined: 13 Nov 2009

I'm through Gepik and I have no problems with my school. They pay my overtime even if no one shows up. Two years I've been with my school and I'm scheduled to teach 2 hrs to the staffs every week, but no one ever shows up and they still pay me for it. Having a good relationship with your coteacher, the p, vp and staffs is the key to having a sucessful teaching year in Korea.

Things aren't perfect and don't go complaining about every little thing that there is.

Jenrose · Joined: 04 Feb 2003

BigLarry · Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Location: Anywhere there is wine.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Triban · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: Suwon Station