Korean Job Discussion Forums

RachaelRoo · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Location: Anywhere but Ulsan!

I'm going to be looking for another job in Korea soon, and I'm thinking that I should just write my own contract and try to get the employer to sign it (with a few of their own changes) instead of letting it go the other way around, as it usually does.
Often, the recruiter writes the contract so they aren't consistent for the school anyways. At least that's how it works at my current hagwon.
With all this contract talk on Dave's lately I could probably put one together easily.

So whaddaya think? Good idea or bad idea?

ontheway · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:48 am Post subject:

First you should look at a variety of jobs, talk to employers and find a position that seems to be the kind of place you'd like to work with general terms that are acceptable. Then, if the terms and conditions seem OK in general, you proceed to the contract.

Some schools will have a fairly standard contract, they have already decided how the school is going to be run and you can't change much. You can negotiate salary, overtime and other financial terms, but not terms regarding operations, hours of operation, number of classes, length of classes, class sizes, airplane ticket payment, vacations, holidays etc. Look it over. You can make clarifications and possibly minor changes in the terms, but basically it's "take it or leave it." Many well organized and well run schools are like this.

Other schools have bad contracts they've borrowed from some recruiter, association or another school, or who knows. Maybe you find they have no written contract on hand at all. This is your opportunity to write your own contract. You can show how fair and reasonable you are and get a good deal on paper. Many times employers will be grateful to have you do it. You will know from your preliminary discussions if this option is available to you.

Good luck.

pgplummer · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Location: Canada

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

As with pgplummer, I to have written my own contract for the last 5 years and it's consistent with the labour laws of Korea, as much as they are consistent. It works and I can't complain because it's all my own handy work. Smile

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

I too wrote my own contract (as well as the school's contract). I do feel it is beneficial to have your own. That way you know what is happening and can't hold anyone else accountable for the booboo's but yourself. At least that's how I feel.

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

You know some newbie is going to write a contract that is totally biased to himself and no school will follow it even if they sign it. Try to make sure you know what you are doing when you write it. It may take some skill to convince the Korean school owner to sign your (it is written in English).