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freethought
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
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 Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject: contract issues with GEPIK |
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Ok, here's the deal.
I'm now working at a middle school in the Seoul area through gepik. I got the job through a recruiter, who i am now less than pleased with.
I have my MA, 1 year in Korea and a 65 hour tesl. Also LOTS of ESL tutoring of uni students in Canada.
Anyway, I signed a contract and sent it over with the other documents. The visa was issued, but the contract had an error. It said 2.3 million, when it should have said 2.2 million won.
An issue has arisen in that the hagwon I worked for when I was last here has closed, and so I can't get a letter stating my work experience.
There is another issue in that I have guest speeches/lectures I did at a high school in canada. The resume clearly said GUEST lecturer and the description made it clear that I was NOT a teacher.
Anyway, the recruiter waited until 28 hours before my departure to tell me that the contract/pay was based on his lying(to me and maybe the school) about that guest lecturing experience.
So this is my situation---
I have a visa based on a signed contract
The school says with no letter from the hagwon they cannot give me the 2.2 million(even though my contract says 2,3 milion)
The guest lecture thing has not been raised.
What can I do? What's the law? I plan on driving a hard bargain, but this is an issue that needs to be worked out in the next two weeks. If I have a visa do they have to pay me the 2.3?
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Thanks. |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Shouldn't your MA also put you in the 2.3 million bracket anyways??? Can you argue that? |
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freethought
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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the MA gives you 2.0. With two years experience you get 2.2. Or, if you have an MA and a 100 hour tesl you get 2.2 (I get 4 weeks vacation, otherwise it gets me 2.3 if I only have two weeks).
My argument was going to be that between my MA, my one years and my TESL, I should get 2.2. But the hagwon being closed has thrown a wrench into that plan. |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| freethought wrote: |
the MA gives you 2.0. With two years experience you get 2.2. Or, if you have an MA and a 100 hour tesl you get 2.2 (I get 4 weeks vacation, otherwise it gets me 2.3 if I only have two weeks).
My argument was going to be that between my MA, my one years and my TESL, I should get 2.2. But the hagwon being closed has thrown a wrench into that plan. |
Oh, I can't help then. Sorry. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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I didn't even know 2.2 million was even an option for GEPIK. From my understanding, Level 3 is 1.8, Level 2 is 2.0 and level 1 is 2.3. The 65 hour TESL means absolutely nothing in GEPIK. Either forget about it, or upgrade it to 100 hours (that's what I did). As far as your pay goes, I imagine they can't pay you for qualifications or experience you don't really have, so it is just the recruiter that is a complete dumbass.
Also, one year at a Hagwon only counts as 6 months experience. |
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Junior
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: the eye
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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| freethought wrote: |
My argument was going to be that between my MA, my one years and my TESL, I should get 2.2. But the hagwon being closed has thrown a wrench into that plan. |
I don't have an MA and I'm on 2:3.
I have a BA, 100hr CELTA, and 2.5 yrs hogwon exp. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Junior wrote: |
| freethought wrote: |
My argument was going to be that between my MA, my one years and my TESL, I should get 2.2. But the hagwon being closed has thrown a wrench into that plan. |
I don't have an MA and I'm on 2:3.
I have a BA, 100hr CELTA, and 2.5 yrs hogwon exp. |
You have 2 of the 3 qualifications needed, he only has 1. |
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Sody
Joined: 14 May 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
I didn't even know 2.2 million was even an option for GEPIK. From my understanding, Level 3 is 1.8, Level 2 is 2.0 and level 1 is 2.3. The 65 hour TESL means absolutely nothing in GEPIK. Either forget about it, or upgrade it to 100 hours (that's what I did). As far as your pay goes, I imagine they can't pay you for qualifications or experience you don't really have, so it is just the recruiter that is a complete dumbass.
Also, one year at a Hagwon only counts as 6 months experience. |
That really doesn't seem fair, I worked at an eikawa for one year and that counts as one year of experience. An eikawa is similar to a hagwon I believe but with better working conditions and students. So the one year experience at a hagwon should be equivalent to one year teaching experience.
If they say otherwise I would simply ask them, have you ever taught before? I would then emphasize that I was very professional and the one year should be counted as one year. You can be assertive with the recruiter. Also you can tell them that you want to work for a better salary. Insist on it, be professional and assertive and let them know that you know of other teachers who have negotiated for better. Don't argue just assert the facts.
Also remember that GEPIK is the cheapest of the three. EPIK and SMOE pay more according to the recruiters I have dealt with.
You have very little negotiating power if you are not in Korea though.
Sody |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Sody wrote: |
| ajgeddes wrote: |
I didn't even know 2.2 million was even an option for GEPIK. From my understanding, Level 3 is 1.8, Level 2 is 2.0 and level 1 is 2.3. The 65 hour TESL means absolutely nothing in GEPIK. Either forget about it, or upgrade it to 100 hours (that's what I did). As far as your pay goes, I imagine they can't pay you for qualifications or experience you don't really have, so it is just the recruiter that is a complete dumbass.
Also, one year at a Hagwon only counts as 6 months experience. |
That really doesn't seem fair, I worked at an eikawa for one year and that counts as one year of experience. An eikawa is similar to a hagwon I believe but with better working conditions and students. So the one year experience at a hagwon should be equivalent to one year teaching experience.
If they say otherwise I would simply ask them, have you ever taught before? I would then emphasize that I was very professional and the one year should be counted as one year. You can be assertive with the recruiter. Also you can tell them that you want to work for a better salary. Insist on it, be professional and assertive and let them know that you know of other teachers who have negotiated for better. Don't argue just assert the facts.
Also remember that GEPIK is the cheapest of the three. EPIK and SMOE pay more according to the recruiters I have dealt with.
You have very little negotiating power if you are not in Korea though.
Sody |
Which eikaiwa? Though I sort of disagree and think even the worse eikaiwa is better than the average hagwon here  |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Sody wrote: |
| ajgeddes wrote: |
I didn't even know 2.2 million was even an option for GEPIK. From my understanding, Level 3 is 1.8, Level 2 is 2.0 and level 1 is 2.3. The 65 hour TESL means absolutely nothing in GEPIK. Either forget about it, or upgrade it to 100 hours (that's what I did). As far as your pay goes, I imagine they can't pay you for qualifications or experience you don't really have, so it is just the recruiter that is a complete dumbass.
Also, one year at a Hagwon only counts as 6 months experience. |
That really doesn't seem fair, I worked at an eikawa for one year and that counts as one year of experience. An eikawa is similar to a hagwon I believe but with better working conditions and students. So the one year experience at a hagwon should be equivalent to one year teaching experience.
If they say otherwise I would simply ask them, have you ever taught before? I would then emphasize that I was very professional and the one year should be counted as one year. You can be assertive with the recruiter. Also you can tell them that you want to work for a better salary. Insist on it, be professional and assertive and let them know that you know of other teachers who have negotiated for better. Don't argue just assert the facts.
Also remember that GEPIK is the cheapest of the three. EPIK and SMOE pay more according to the recruiters I have dealt with.
You have very little negotiating power if you are not in Korea though.
Sody |
It has nothing to do with the recruiter though. It has to do with the school and the government with GEPIK. There might be room for some negotiations, but as far as I know, there isn't when it comes to pay. You also need to have proof that you worked there before. It isn't just some thing you put on your resume. You get a sheet from your employer that states your exact work dates and it has the magical red stamp. |
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Grotto
Joined: 21 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:10 am Post subject: |
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| You could always say okay then...I will look for another job....if they are not willing to honour your contract then find another! |
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freethought
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| --- bump--- |
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Junior
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: the eye
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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Letter of reference: surely you kept in contact with at least 1 person from your hagwon?? you worked there for a year. you should be able to get hold of your former director or supervisor, for a reference. If you didn't get a reference before you left, then thats just lazy.
What do you want? 2.3?? you can only get that with 2 or more years exp, not just 1. You're lucky to be on 2.2. The requirements are laid down pretty clearly with GEPIK. You are a 2.0 candidate.
your guest lecturing thingy isn't worth s*it. Whey even mention it? I passed grade 3 clarinet, woohoo.
To be honest, (not being mean), you sound like a pain for a recruiter to deal with. Its a public school, theres no incentive for them to s*rew you over, its pretty straightforward. |
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Sody
Joined: 14 May 2006
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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| laogaiguk wrote: |
| Which eikaiwa? Though I sort of disagree and think even the worse eikaiwa is better than the average hagwon here |
It was a private prep school in Fukuoka, Japan. I taught various ages and skill levels so I just assumed naturally that it was like a hagwon. I'm intrigued now, I think I will try and visit a hagwon and see what it is like. I mean, how bad can they possibly be?
Ajgeddes, if that is the case then I got really lucky with the recruiter I dealt with. I didn't have to do a criminal reference check, they didn't call my past employer in Japan and I was able to negotiate the higher pay scale. I think the reason for why I was able to get all these benefits was because I am older and more experienced than most. They respect you more if you are over 30 but under 40. I can't verify or prove that but that is the feeling I get at the public school I work at.
There is no way in hell that any native speaker who is new would get a better salary than a new Korean teacher. They wouldn't allow that. I really don't think they respect teachers who are below the age of 25 either. Again, I can't prove this but it's a feeling that I am very certain of.
Elementary school teachers are well respected if they fit the age bracket of 25- 40 something. I know for certain that if you are too old they won't respect you at all. Several Korean teachers have told me that because your success as an older teacher is based upon becoming a principal. If you aren't a principal by a certain age then you will be looked down upon.
Remember that in Korea, there is far less pension than you would get in a place like Canada. Koreans are expected to retire earlier, from last I heard it was age 62.
Anyhow, with regards to the main issue of this thread I now know that if you work in Korea they will check your work history in this country very carefully. So if you want to be in a good pay scale you better have a good work history in this country!
Sody |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Sody wrote: |
| laogaiguk wrote: |
| Which eikaiwa? Though I sort of disagree and think even the worse eikaiwa is better than the average hagwon here |
It was a private prep school in Fukuoka, Japan. I taught various ages and skill levels so I just assumed naturally that it was like a hagwon. I'm intrigued now, I think I will try and visit a hagwon and see what it is like. I mean, how bad can they possibly be?
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No. First you have cultural differences, the Japanese, whatever people might say, are much more honest. I never heard of anyone in Japan not getting paid except I heard once that one American who owns an eikaiwa in Aichi (or Sapporo) refused to pay and has been taken to court for assault. Another reason is ofcourse a business that went bankrupt.
Second is the law. Contract laws are enforced more in Japan (on both sides) and the visa issue (where in Japan you own your visa), you can just quit with notice at anytime.
There are other things, but most of those are easily found on this website  , but just those things right there make it bad. |
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