Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MantisBot]

I've been offered a position at Palace Language Center in Incheon and I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with this school. I'm a little surprised by the speed with which the director has accepted me and I'm wondering if it's just because I'm so great (yeah right!) or if perhaps he isn't a little desparate. In the email he asked me to get the standard materials to him and then he would get me the visa. Does this mean I have the job or is this just a standard response? Thanks in advance all!

[Hyeon Een]

[MantisBot]

Sweet:D Thanks very much! Here's the contract and I'll post the questions I have for the owner after it...

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EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

The following contract is an employment contract between .................................. to be referred to as the instructor and XXXX to be referred to as the institute from this point forth.

1.JOB POSITION : This contract is for the position a conversation English instructor.

2.PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT :

The instructor will be employed by the institute from the following dates.

From : ................................................

To : ................................................

3.COMPENSATION

A. Salary :

A monthly salary of xxxxxxxxx won. Will be paid for 140 teaching hours per month. xxxxxxxxx won will be paid for 160 teaching hours per month.

B. Pay Day :

Compensation will be given monthly along with other instructors on the payday of the following month. Any errors in compensation shall be reported to all parties affected within a week.

C. Insurance :

A medical insurance & national pension plan from an insurance company will be offered to the instructor. will be split equally between the instructor and institute.

D.Tax :

Korean income tax will be deducted from the salary according to the Korean tax law(currently 4 -8%).


4.INSTRUCTOR'S DUTIES

A. The instructor will set a good positive example of him/herself and his/her institute an all times. Furthermore, the instructor will follow the directions of his/her school manager and director.

B. The instructor should be in good health and will submit his/her health condition check up list upon arrival or will submit it within a week (instructor may have his/her health check up in Korea at a reasonable expense).

C. The instructor will follow set class schedules and will not dismiss class,cancel classes, or start classes late without the approval of the institute director.

D. The instructor will use teaching materials recommended by the institute but is encouraged to supplement with other materials. However, these materials must have prior approval by the institute. Furthermore, all materials given to the instructor by the institute will be returned after they are no longer needed.

E. The instructor agrees Not to partake in the following activities since they may damage the reputation of the institute:

1.Conducting class while under the influence of alcohol,while
smoking,or under the influence of illegal drugs.

2.Make sexual advance towards, or enter into relationships
with students or employees of the institute.

3.Conducting any private classes or accepting any funds
without the permission from the institute.

4.Borrowing or lending of funds to students or conducting
any sales of items to students.

F. Any damages that are the direct result of negligence on the behalf of the instructor, either at the institute or residence,will be paid for by the instructor. Furthermore the instructor will be held liable under Korean Law.

G. If the instructor seeks release from the contract for cultural differences,homesickness or personal problems, he/she will report to the institute and will receive 70% of the monthly salary from the time until a replacement instructor is positioned(4-6weeks)and the instructor agrees to work until the new instructor arrives.

H. If the instructor fails to conduct him/herself in a professional manner,resulting in damage the image of the institute, the institute has the right to terminate this contract, but must provide at least a two week notice to the instructor. And,if the institute violates the contract, the instructor also has the right to terminate the agreement, but a two week notice must be provided as well.

I. The Employee shall indemnify the Employer for any liability or damages arising form or in connection with any negligence or illegal activity of the Employee in the performance of this Agreement immediately after the occurrence of such event.

6. Both parties have read the above conditions and agree to the terms in good faith and will attempt to resolve any dispute in a reasonable manner. All decisions that cannot be resolved by the two parties above will be solved in accordance to Korean Civil Law.

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So here are my questions:

Under the salary section, you get paid less for working 35hrs a week than if you get paid 40hrs a week. However, I'm wondering if I'm guaranteed at least 35hrs a week and if these hours are constant teaching or just being accessible to students for 7-8 hrs a day both in class and out of it. I can't imagine anyone surviving 35-40hrs of straight teaching a week for long...

In the ad, they offer free roundtrip airfare and severance pay, neither of which is in the contract.

There is no mention of vacation days in the contract.

There is no mention of class size.

Is the work week Mon-Fri or does it include weekends?

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Oh, and the job does include accomodations (furnished). Also, I don't see any of their demands as being too far out of the question although 4-D seems... interesting. Thoughts on that?

Are there any questions anyone would ask aside from these? Am I missing some crucial thing that will end up having me getting dragged out of my room in the middle of the night by small screaming asian men in combat gear? God that would be a horrible way to wake up...

But yeah... Thoughts, comments, warnings? Thanks in advance!

[some waygug-in]

I think the standard is 120hrs/ month - 30hrs/wk.

I wouldn't want a schedule like they are proposing, but that's your choice.

You didn't post the salary....just curious, are they paying more for such a heavy schedule?

The part about recieving only 70% of your salary if you decide to quit seems like a big red flag to me. As far as I know, that is considered a penalty clause and is illegal. Please correct me if I am wrong on this.

Anyway, I'm sure someone who has more time can go into the details.

Good luck.

[alabamaman]

[MantisBot]

[ttompatz]