Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Milwaukiedave]

I wanted to ask anyone about renegotiation my contract. The place I work is great and I admit I'm very lucky to have a chance to work there.

90% of the reason I have wanted to say no to next year is due to the fact that I have to teach preschoolers. Right now, I have four preschool classes. Three on on Mon/Wed/Fri (2-4:10pm) and one on Tues (2:30- 3:10pm). They drive me pretty crazy most of the time, although they can be cute.

So, here is the situation. I make 2 million won a month. To make sure I had there attention, I asked for 2.6 million. I also tacked on to the proposal that I wanted 70% of my insurance paid for by them (that is Korean Health Insurance) and a maximum of 27 hours a week. Yes, that is a huge jump, but in a way I wanted to let them know I am hesitant about resigning.

I have told them teaching preschoolers is part of the reason I may not come back. One solution (for me anyway) was that I asked to only teach one preschool class 3 times a week. They will be hiring a second foreign teacher next year as well.

I sat to down with my director and the owner and talked with them about it. As expected they told me the salary was too high. I tried to get them to counter offer, but they said they will have to think about it. I told them I was willing to come down, but some of it would hinge on the issue with the preschool classes.

My point is I'm trying to create some bargining room for myself. Does anyone have suggestions to help?

[kprrok]

First tip: don't make your first offer that big of a jump!

Second tip: 50% of health insurance is, I think, a law, or at least so common it should be law.

Third tip: You're playing with fire by not knowing how to negotiate that well. (which brings up that it's with a "t" and not a "c" as you spell it.)

Fourth tip: By saying you could come down means that you know 2.6 isn't reasonable, and it was stupid to even suggest it. That's a 30% increase. Try something more reasonable like 2.3 (a 15% increase) which makes you sound much more reasonable and realistic.

Fifth tip: If you like the job, money should not be the primary reason to stay. I'll probably stay at my job for no increase b/c I like it and make enough.

Sixth tip: blah blah blah.

KPRROK

[jazblanc77]

You just set yourself up for a situation where THEY don't want you to resign.

[Milwaukiedave]

Jaz,

Well that is pretty much what I'm trying to do. Teaching preschool kids another year is not something I want to do, unless I am looking to lose my sanity.

[Milwaukiedave]

Kprrok,

I actually disagree with you. While I don't claim to know everything about negotiating, I do have a reason behind what I did. I want them to know they are going to have to work a bit to resign me. That is, they are going to have to make some other concessions and then I'm willing to come down on salary.

The issue with the preschoolers is a BIG one. I've told them the key to getting me to resign is working out a deal where I teach as few preschool classes as possible.

This school is pretty new and I am the first foreign teacher to work there. The family has another school across town that is just Montessory where our school has both a Montessory and an English school.

Also they have had some difficulties with foreign teachers. They brought in a woman from Canada before the school opened and she decided after a week to go back home. My point to them is: do you really want to gamble again?

I'm also pretty popular with the children as well.

My take is if it doesn't work then I'll go somewhere else. I would really rather teach adults then kids at this point.

[hellofaniceguy]

Before you can talk money...you need to know how many students and how much each student pays.
let's say 300 students..each paying 125.000 Won. 300 times 125.000 is what...37 million or so... With 300 students...the school should have around 6-10 teachers, a few bus drivers, rental and housing cost for you and the FT's, school rent, etc...you get the picture. Anyway...how many students? Do the math and if the school is rolling in money...show the owner your figures! If you and the owner are buds...he/she will have no problem with upping your salary! But I suspect like most hakwon owners...yours is a jerk and only cares about how much money HE makes and how little he has to pay you.
If you have 5/6 classes a day with 10 students in each class...you are rolling the money in for the owner and not getting any?!?! Tell him to stick it. He is sticking you! But...if you have a low enrollment, etc...different story. ]
Insurance is 50/50.
Trouble is...schools KNOW that they will always hire another FT to take your place for slave wages! And that's the problem! Why does anyone work? Why? For money! Why did you go to college? To make bigger money! Why did you come to korea? To work for free? FT's need to band together and raise the bar. Most hakwons will screw you in a heartbeat and not give it a second thought!
I know of only three FT's over the years in korea who got great deals at hakwons and resigned 3/4 years after that. But, 3 out of hundreds that I have met over the years! That is a low figure!
You should not have to be asking the owner anything IF THEY LIKE YOU! THEY SHOULD BE OFFERING YOU A GREAT DEAL!
6 classes a day....8 students per. 8 times 6 is 48 students @ 125.000 a month is 6 grand. 6 grand times 12 months is...72 million a year and you settle for 2 million a month?!?
I know of a few hakwon teachers who are paid 3.0 a month plus housing teaching 5 classes a day. But, they do a great job and the owner knows it!

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Milwaukiedave]

UrbanMyth,

I think you need to reread the post by hellofaniceguy. He was giving an example of how much the SCHOOL makes, not the foreign teacher. His point, which was a a good one, was to figure that out before asking for a salary increase.