Korean Job Discussion Forums

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

"Don't worry about the visa- we need you here next week."

joelseymour · Joined: 18 Apr 2005

joelseymour · Joined: 18 Apr 2005

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I think everyone will agree the one I listed is #1.

I'll leave the other nine to others since it's almost happy hour.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Yeah the: start work now we'll get your visa in a week or two is #1
No set work hours...schedule depends on students needs would be another.
Split shifts
tax is 5%(tax is much lower about 1.5-2.2%)
no mention of pension or health care
any mention of paying back the school for the: recruiter/administrative costs/airfare(unless its prorated)
Any type of deposit or monthly withholding of funds.
garbage termination clauses(if the student numbers drop below average for 3 months...)
shared accomodations
Withholding of severance bonus at the end of the contract...for possible unpaid debts.

there are more but these are the ones that really tick me off

Bunnymonster · Joined: 16 Mar 2004 Location: Tokyo

sorry couldn't resist it

peppermint · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:10 pm Post subject:

Grotto's list is things he won't tolerate, some are valid across the board, others are just preferences.

In general,
1. Not allowing you to talk to the teachers there now.
2. "Come and do your visa run in Japan after you arrive"
( usually this one is okay, but I wouldn't risk it now with the crackdown)
3. working at more than one location without immigration approval
4. No textbooks. ( unless it's a high level adult class)
5. asking you to stay with someone for a short time til your apartment is "ready". this can work out okay, but it can be very awkward or even dangerous.
6. management that don't speak much English

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Wrong! Just Because.....the amount of tax that should be withheld off of a 2 mil salary is 28,950won. If they are deducting 3.3% then they are taking off 66,000won...more than double what they should be taking off. If you think that this extra 37,050 won is making it into the coffers of the Korean government then I have a mountain to sell you!

go here and check out your monthly withholding tax

http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/default.html

It is much less than 3.3%

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Maybe having no other foreign teachers....?

If the guy on the phone cannot speak English adequately

If it sounds too good to be true.....

If the employer wants you to decide right away or start ASAP....(maybe)

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

Grotto, although I find your posts usually enlightening, I think your list is a little too harsh.

Any type of deposit or monthly withholding of funds? Can't agree with this one. Every job I've had (including uni gigs) has had a deposit for housing, which I find totally understandable. It's just smart protection on the part of the employer. I've always gotten my deposit back, too. This is not a red flag in my book.

Split shifts? I work them now, at a uni which also gives me 5 months paid vacation/year.

Shared accomodations? My last gig was at a uni which had on-campus shared housing. They were cottage houses - beautiful and nice, with a yard, garden, etc... If teachers didn't want to share, there was a stipend to find off-campus housing.

Your other points I'd agree with. I just think some people, if they take your advice on this, might lose out on some good jobs.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

The reason I mention Shared accomodations as a red flag is that it can be a total crap shoot as to what kind of roommate you can end up with.

After being stuck with a roommate from hell and talking to many others(check out wackiest waygook thread among others) I dont recommend coming 1/2 way around the world and ending up living with a possibly dangerous nutjob or even a perfect stranger.

The deposit thing I understand but again it is illegal in Korea....isnt it? If it is illegal then why is it acceptable to put an illegal clause in a contract?

Split shifts suck IMO....if you get a trade off like you do 5 months vacation time then they arent so bad. If you work 50 weeks a year doing splits from hell then no they are a red flag.

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

My favorite clauses at an adult hagwon (paraphrased):

No sex with hagwon staff- receptionists etc.

No sex with teaching colleagues,

No sex with current students,

No sex with former students.

4 sex clauses in one contract... I guess I should've seen it coming when the Wonjang told me in his office "Jesus gave me all this."

I managed to sign it with a straight face, just.