Korean Job Discussion Forums

kermo · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 7:41 pm Post subject: GEPIK and paying back airfare

I'm teaching in the GEPIK program, and have so far had a swell time. My supervisor is kind and capable, and the students are terrific. However, I fear I'm about to get stiffed by the higher-ups, so I thought I would share this story, to ask for advice and warn other GEPIK workers who may find themselves in the same situation.

My contract says: "The airfare for Employee's flight, actual purchasing price, to Korea shall be loaned by Employer based on an economy class airfare of the most direct flight available from his/her permanent residence to Incheon International Airport... if Employee works more than 6 months during the term of Employment from the date of commencement, Employee's obligation to pay back the loan provided pursuant to this provision shall be waived by Employer."

My school has already paid me for the cost of a flight from my city (Winnipeg) to Incheon. The most direct flight went from Winnipeg, to Vancouver, to Incheon. Now, someone is reviewing the books, and has asked me to pay back the cost of a ticket from Winnipeg to Vancouver. The ambiguity seems to hinge on the phrase "direct flight."

Despite the transfer, the journey was booked as "Winnipeg to Incheon", through a single airline. Neither the recruiter nor my supervisor felt this was unreasonable, but someone holding the pocket strings feels differently (some congressman, apparently?).

Any thoughts? Any of you in the same boat?

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Be careful how annoyed you get.

Be firm and be prepared to repeat your story many times and they will come around and give you the money. Let them go away and let them come back as many times as it takes...when they come back be firm and professional and repeat until you get your money.

The clause is there to protect them from people who want to take visits on the way, etc. not to let them weasle out. I know a few...(more than a few) people in the Gepik program. A few have had problems but all have got their money...

Don't let the airfare thing affect the rest of your exerience.

manlyboy · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 7:55 pm Post subject:

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

I have avoided posting about gepik for some time now.

The school is great! No complaints about the students or the teachers or the management. My co-teacher and I got off to a rocky start but it has all been ironed out now.

GEPIK the truly stupid pain in the butt is my only complaint.

#1. They first told me that I wouldnt be paid for any of my extra classes if there was a holiday, field trip, exam day, or sick day that week. I told them that's fine, cancel all of the extra classes. Oh no you must teach the extra classes. Okay if I teach an extra class I expect to get paid for it! Ummm no we dont want to pay you for the extra classes if you dont teach all of your regular classes that week. An extra class is an extra class, not including the class time there is still a ton of prep and paperwork involved in these classes.

#2. This Friday is exam day. Gepik just informed my school that I must make up these classes on other days, basically increasing my workload from 5-6 classes a day to 7 or 8...no problem I said. The other teachers said no way! They are preparing for the exams and cannot/will not give up the class time for their students sake. Makes me happy, I didnt have to say a word and the make up classes were cancelled. I told them I would be happy to teach them the following week, but of course that would be overtime Laughing

Kermo just stick to your guns. Some beaurocrat has erronously tried to think. A colossal failure obviously. It is a ticket from your permanent residence to Incheon, not your country of origin. If they approach me with this crap I will just say too bad and lets get a moderator in to decide. It is not even worth discussing. We get reimbursed for a ticket from our place of residence to Incheon They really cant argue with the black and white in the contract.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

sounds like GEPIK is becoming another version of EPIK. I'm starting to think that my set up as of march next year where I'm employed directly by the school is far more beneifcal as the schools are a lot more flexible and also have a vested interest in keeping you happy.

What the hell is it with central planning that things just end up getting so screwed up (this isn't just a korea thing)

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

I think its the fact there is some beaurocrat sitting in his office with no idea of how reality is nor how important it is to foster a good working relationship with the foriegn teachers. There are enough preassures on people working here without trying to dick them around at work.

Some beaurocrat who sees a way to cut costs, regardless of the legalities. Think about it. If Kermo lays down and takes the hit on her airfare then they can go ahead and ask all the other teachers to give back the same cut. With a hundred teachers in GEPIK that could be tens of thousands of dollars.

Beaurocrats the world over cant leave well enough alone. They stick their pointy noses into every nook and cranny looking for some bone to worry and when they find one they are overjoyed because they have given their meaningless lives some aspect of meaning and fulfilment.

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

I also wonder how many of the screw-ups are caused by the levels of bureaucracy.

My GF talks to her co-teacher.
Who talks to the head teacher
Who talks to the principal.

(Who actually has more decision making power than the native speakers give him credit for, accepting his mantra of "the upper powers require...")

Who talks to a lady that is some sort of district lady who puts on the pony show for her superiors who report to the ministers, who have no idea what is happening in the school.

Mind you I don't think this only happens in Korea but with the language barriers and the hierarchical/Confucius society I'm surprised a foreigner can even exist here. Smile

kermo · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 12:06 am Post subject:

manlyboy · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:33 am Post subject:

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

I was recruited in Korea but came from Canada.

The contract is quite clear cut. We are to be reimbursed for our airfare regardless of where we were recruited.

Also keep in mind your airfare at the end of the contract is based on the cost of the airfare here! Less airfare up front, less airfare at the end of the contract!

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

kermo · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK and paying back airfare

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

kermo · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK and paying back airfare

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

my ticket coming here from Edmonton came out to 1500$CDN. So far I havent heard anything about airfare being withheld or anything.

Like my contract says the return cost is contingent on the cost of your flight here. If they didnt set aside the dough for the cost of the ticket thats too bad. They can definately budget it in for the next year.