Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ou812]

Very Simple...
Anyone who has taken a class in business/economics (and anyone who hasn't) should know the simple basic concept of supply and demand.

The reason that there are so many problems in Korea with the English language industry is that there is always plentiful supply.

With this it is easy for the operators of institutes, etc... to do as they please.

As, these businesses get bigger and richer. For example, did you know that YBM, Megastudy, EduEducation (aka. edubox) and many others directly or under other names are listed on the Korean stock exchange.

So in order to shift the supply curve, teachers should pass at any offering that does not sound as perfectly as it should to you. I know that many times "gut feelings" come into play, and they should.

If the supply curve shifts, the benefits would include (but not limited to), increase of salary, fair visa run packages, strict enforcement of contract hours, vacation time without being asked to do something, and feeling like your obligated, GET THE IMMIGRATION POLICE off teachers backs, and so on...

I have been picky and went from a regular average contract to a contract that most would consider in the top 10% within just 2 years.

Jobs are plentiful so why not settle for something better?

Let's shift this supply curve and change it into a demand where salary increases and conditions improve.

[xCustomx]

Care to share any of your contract details?

[VirginIslander]

[Corky]

The local hakwon associations choose the average hakwon teachers salaries.

Whatever happened to Joe Thanks?

[Matman]

[Ya-ta Boy]

The OP seems to think that each potential teacher and each employer are operating as free and independent agents. They are not.

As mentioned, the employers collude. Hakwon associations and the government set the basic contract conditions for the vast majority of jobs.

Realistic scenario: Your contract with Mr. Kim's hakwon expires on December 31. You can't begin looking for a new job much before October 31 because few jobs here are advertised that far in advance. Your window of opportunity is severely restricted. Second, you are living in a hakwon-provided apartment. You have a deadline to be out. Another factor is that a large number of people are paying off college loans. Their cash savings are small as a result. They don't have the money to stay in a motel for 2 or 3 more months beyond their contract expiration while waiting for that good job to come along. Finally, as most know, the best jobs aren't even advertised. It's not what you know but who you know that gets you a special job. Just luck of the draw.

In fact, the OP is kind of odd. Who doesn't already shop around for the best deal available while they are job hunting?

[ou812]

First of all, negotiation is very important---achieving what both sides think is fair.

While salary is an issue, actually is not the most important.

Salary: 2.8 m / month for total of 30 hours per week. Overtime at 22,000 hour.
>Compared with average of 2.0-2.4 per month with overtime at 18,000-25,000 per hour (however getting over 20,000 is not easy)

Visa Run: opted to receive a cash amount instead W300,000
>I can leave on my vacation and not on their time, no hassles who pays what, etc...

Housing: I am lucky enough to provide my own housing, Jeonse. So again I opted for a monthly cash allowance (yes, which is sometimes difficult ot get).
>I use the cash allowance to pay bills and the jeonse system means I pay no rent and receive the money after my rental term.
***It's true many institutes may not do this (but some will), and not all teachers can afford to pay jeonse system.
***So my advice is to "see" the apartment first, as you would in any typical situation---beacause I hear alot of complaints about the type of housing they put you in. If all is in order, I am sure that the institute would not mind at all showing you the apartment.

Vacations/Holidays: Yes, it is important to get "all public holidays" in your contract---teachers have been screwed on this before, such as, "You know we are going to have a field trip on this holiday and we need you to attend," and so on. About vacations, while you may not be able to stipulate exactly when, you can stipulate the exact terms. Some things to think about are; if you get two weeks in the summer and two in the winter, then opt for the following: instead of getting block vacation times, try to get use as you need (at least half of your vacation time) and also to be able to "cash in" on any possible unused vacation times. This will let you get a predisclosed amount if you don't take your vacation.

Severence: Try a monthly severence pay back, which means, that instead of receiving the lump sum after your contract, get it included with your monthly salary. This will make terminating your contract for whatever reason before the expiry date easier to swallow.

Any other questions about your contract let me know.....

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Who says I am not Korean?

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Yes, people try to change this and that, hard to do on an internet forum. But, why not try?

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Stop complaining!!!

[cbclark4]

[The_Conservative]

[Paji eh Wong]

[Colorado]

[The_Conservative]

[just another day]

[cbclark4]

[faster]