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dmk1967
Joined: 22 Aug 2014
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 Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:12 am Post subject: Got my first contract...housing is very vague! |
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Per the title, I have posted the full contract over in the "contract review" thread, but in case it gets lost amongst those 153 pages, I did note a few issues that others have called out on that thread before, the biggest being the housing:
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| The accommodation may be a single housing, a non-sharing studio apartment , or a two or three-bedroom apartment, or in a two or three-bedroom house. Apartments with two bedrooms are shared by two employees. Apartments with at least three bedrooms may be shared by three employees. Each employee will have a private bedroom and will share a kitchen and bathroom. |
Um, I am not okay with this at all. Shared housing is something I never would consider (everything I've read about teaching in Korea is that a single studio apt is the norm, is this changing?)...
Am I okay to tell the recruiter that this has to be changed? What are my options here?
Thx all |
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Old Painless
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:35 am Post subject: |
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I would email the recruiter and ask them if they can stipulate the single housing in the contract. Single housing has never been the norm afaik, some people get single, some have to share and that's been the case as far back as the early 90's. The contract is probably just a standard contract that the employer uses.
You could ask the recruiter to contact the school and ask them what they plan on giving you. But if it's not specifically stated in the contract, they'll do whatever they want to do, so beware. |
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dmk1967
Joined: 22 Aug 2014
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:40 am Post subject: |
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| Old Painless wrote: |
I would email the recruiter and ask them if they can stipulate the single housing in the contract. Single housing has never been the norm afaik, some people get single, some have to share and that's been the case as far back as the early 90's. The contract is probably just a standard contract that the employer uses.
You could ask the recruiter to contact the school and ask them what they plan on giving you. But if it's not specifically stated in the contract, they'll do whatever they want to do, so beware. |
Rats, I didn't know that. Bummer. Could I maybe ask for a housing allowance (equal to what the shared housing would cost) and then I find my own housing? |
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mandrews1985
Joined: 12 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:44 am Post subject: |
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| Old Painless wrote: |
I would email the recruiter and ask them if they can stipulate the single housing in the contract. Single housing has never been the norm afaik, some people get single, some have to share and that's been the case as far back as the early 90's. The contract is probably just a standard contract that the employer uses.
You could ask the recruiter to contact the school and ask them what they plan on giving you. But if it's not specifically stated in the contract, they'll do whatever they want to do, so beware. |
I've never met another foreigner in Korea that had to share, ever.
Though, I absolutely agree that the contract is probably some generic one they found online that they tweaked here and there to suit their needs. |
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dmk1967
Joined: 22 Aug 2014
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:59 am Post subject: |
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| mandrews1985 wrote: |
I've never met another foreigner in Korea that had to share, ever.
Though, I absolutely agree that the contract is probably some generic one they found online that they tweaked here and there to suit their needs. |
I'm glad to hear that. Every single job posting I saw and applied to used the exact same terminology, "single housing provided." I never saw one ad that said "single or shared." Of course, this is with the exception of this one job, D'OH, it actually didn't say anything at all so I just assumed based on all the other jobs I saw (I asked the recruiter during our call and he said "yes they provide housing," again, my bad for assuming!)...so, assuming it's a template, would I be out of line to ask it be changed? |
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mandrews1985
Joined: 12 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:38 am Post subject: |
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I would do two things:
1) ask to speak to a current foreign teacher working there. They normally say yes. A refusal is a red flag. Either you'll be replacing that person thus taking over his apartment, or replacing on of their colleagues and again will probably know what the accommodation is like.
2) ask the recruiter to find out more about accommodation and get some photos.
I think removing it from the contract is not really standard and your soon to be manager may not like that. It's better to look inquisitive, naturally as you're moving far away from home, rather than demanding and 'hard to deal with' as your manager may see it if you ask for something to be removed from the contract. |
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dmk1967
Joined: 22 Aug 2014
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:54 am Post subject: |
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| mandrews1985 wrote: |
I would do two things:
1) ask to speak to a current foreign teacher working there. They normally say yes. A refusal is a red flag. Either you'll be replacing that person thus taking over his apartment, or replacing on of their colleagues and again will probably know what the accommodation is like.
2) ask the recruiter to find out more about accommodation and get some photos.
I think removing it from the contract is not really standard and your soon to be manager may not like that. It's better to look inquisitive, naturally as you're moving far away from home, rather than demanding and 'hard to deal with' as your manager may see it if you ask for something to be removed from the contract. |
Thanks, I'm going to email the recruiter back asking for more info about it. If I had known shared housing was the deal I'd never have applied, and if in the end the school loses interest then I'll just have to deal with it. Again my bad for assuming, and lesson learned! |
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Sector7G
Joined: 24 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:35 am Post subject: Re: Got my first contract...housing is very vague! |
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| dmk1967 wrote: |
Um, I am not okay with this at all. Shared housing is something I never would consider (everything I've read about teaching in Korea is that a single studio apt is the norm, is this changing?)...
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This brings back memories - it is about the same reaction I had way back in 2007 when I was looking to go to Korea for the first time. I simply told the recruiter I did not want to share an apartment and he said that it would not be an issue. I agree with mandrews1985 that it is probably a generic contract, but I would still get it changed to be safe.
| dmk1967 wrote: |
| Thanks, I'm going to email the recruiter back asking for more info about it. If I had known shared housing was the deal I'd never have applied, and if in the end the school loses interest then I'll just have to deal with it. |
You know, when it comes right down to it, this is the only attitude to have in a negotiation, not just with the housing issue, but with any issue that is important. Ask yourself what you are willing to accept and then stick to it. |
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poetryfoot
Joined: 16 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Can I ask if this is for Mokpo ECC? |
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dmk1967
Joined: 22 Aug 2014
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Got my first contract...housing is very vague! |
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| Sector7G wrote: |
This brings back memories - it is about the same reaction I had way back in 2007 when I was looking to go to Korea for the first time. I simply told the recruiter I did not want to share an apartment and he said that it would not be an issue. I agree with mandrews1985 that it is probably a generic contract, but I would still get it changed to be safe.
| dmk1967 wrote: |
| Thanks, I'm going to email the recruiter back asking for more info about it. If I had known shared housing was the deal I'd never have applied, and if in the end the school loses interest then I'll just have to deal with it. |
You know, when it comes right down to it, this is the only attitude to have in a negotiation, not just with the housing issue, but with any issue that is important. Ask yourself what you are willing to accept and then stick to it. |
I already heard back from him (it's 4am in Korea, do these recruiters ever sleep?) and he confirmed that was a mistake and I'm definitely gonna get single housing and they'll make that change to the contract. He also gave me the name/email of a teacher working there to ask questions. I think/hope these are all good signs... |
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dmk1967
Joined: 22 Aug 2014
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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| poetryfoot wrote: |
| Can I ask if this is for Mokpo ECC? |
Yes, that's it... |
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beentheredonethat777
Joined: 27 Jul 2013
Location: AsiaHaven
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| Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:05 am Post subject: Re: Got my first contract...housing is very vague! |
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| dmk1967 wrote: |
Per the title, I have posted the full contract over in the "contract review" thread, but in case it gets lost amongst those 153 pages, I did note a few issues that others have called out on that thread before, the biggest being the housing:
| Quote: |
| The accommodation may be a single housing, a non-sharing studio apartment , or a two or three-bedroom apartment, or in a two or three-bedroom house. Apartments with two bedrooms are shared by two employees. Apartments with at least three bedrooms may be shared by three employees. Each employee will have a private bedroom and will share a kitchen and bathroom. |
Um, I am not okay with this at all. Shared housing is something I never would consider (everything I've read about teaching in Korea is that a single studio apt is the norm, is this changing?)...
Am I okay to tell the recruiter that this has to be changed? What are my options here?
Thx all |
Most DEFINITELY speak to the recruiter! This clearly is a NON-direct way of telling you that you will be living with two or three people! Believe me on this. It happened to me.I thought I had died and went straight to H@ll! Don't ever do this,ever! I know several people right now January 2015, who live in shared housing. Some love it, most hate it. I think its a good way to ruin an otherwise nice experience in Korea. I know this is back in style for the schools in my city. They are trying to save money anyway possible. Times are hard. So they buy a building and make a floor for the school and a floor for the teachers(same living area).
This is not an old contract. This is just their way of saying, "anything goes" Trust me on this one.
Chances are, they already own a family size apartment and plan on putting you in there with some other teachers. (or even their own family) I have seen this scenario cropping back up, recently as well.
Edit: I just read that you already talked to the recruiter and they said it was a mistake. Please listen to me, the recruiter could be lying to you. They work for the school and NOT for you. Once you're here, oh well.
"Sorry...my mis-take-ee" make sure the contract is changed. Do not believe anything that is VERBAL! Get it in writing.
#mytwocents# |
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