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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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solo
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
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 Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject: Korea Herald school in Jungrang, Seoul |
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Hello, I am considering a job for a school in Jungrang called Korea Herald and would really appreciate any info about the school and the place itself.
Many thanks, |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Korea Herald school in Jungrang, Seoul |
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| solo wrote: |
Hello, I am considering a job for a school in Jungrang called Korea Herald and would really appreciate any info about the school and the place itself.
Many thanks, |
It is a large chain with a well deserved bad reputation.
The usual caveats apply.
Check, check, check with MORE than ONE of the current staff about conditions at that particular branch.
ASK SPECIFICALLY - and get good answers about:
+PAY, overtime (do they pay it or avoid it with creative book keeping).
+CLASSES - how many per day / week / month. How long is a class and +WHAT IS A CLASS HOUR. A contract that says 120 hours can have you doing up to 180 x 40 minute classes (7200 contact minutes) per month for the same money as someone doing 120 x 50 minute classes (6000 contact minutes per month).
+Do they really pay into the pension and national medical?
+Do they do taxes properly or just flat rate you at 3.3 or 5% (illegal but often done - money is usually not remitted to the tax man)
+What is the housing like and what do they pay for? Your free apartment can cost you up to 150k or more won per month (not really free).
+Will they PREPAY a 1 year open airticket ticket? Don't settle for less. |
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solo
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:56 pm Post subject: Korea Herald school in Jangrang, Seoul |
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Thanks for the reply. I was just curious - have you worked for company before? Also, surely it is better fir teachers if taxes are just flat rate at it is chea at just 3.3-5%?
About the apartment - if the contract says free furnished place then surely it will be free and furnished right?
How would I know if Korea Herald didn't pay into the pension and national medical? Would they still charge me anyway?
What do you mean the company may avoid paying O.T. with creative book keping?
Thanks man. I will be new to Korea so have no idea about the system there.
Many thanks!!! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:59 am Post subject: Re: Korea Herald school in Jangrang, Seoul |
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| solo wrote: |
Thanks for the reply. I was just curious - have you worked for company before? Also, surely it is better fir teachers if taxes are just flat rate at it is chea at just 3.3-5%?
About the apartment - if the contract says free furnished place then surely it will be free and furnished right?
How would I know if Korea Herald didn't pay into the pension and national medical? Would they still charge me anyway?
What do you mean the company may avoid paying O.T. with creative book keping?
Thanks man. I will be new to Korea so have no idea about the system there.
Many thanks!!! |
The tax rate for an unmarried foreigner making about 2 mil is about 1.6% per month. If you want to pay 5% then go ahead. Be forewarned, the taxman won't see it and neither will you.
The apartment may be rent free but you pay the utilities and "maintainence fees". Your "free" apartment is NOT free. In some officetels the maintainence fees can be as high (or higher than) 150k won per month.
About the medical and pension... ASK. It's your loss if you don't and yes, they will probably charge you anyway.
About the overtime, again, ASK .... if your contract reads 30 hours per week or 120 hours per month, that can mean up to 180 classes (of 40 minutes each) for the same money as another hakwon monkey working 120 classes of 50 minutes per month.
If there is a red day or you have some holidays, they don't give you credit for the hours you would have worked those days. You still have to work your 120 before you get overtime.
Your time may be shown as 120 hours, but those are CONTACT hours and have NO RELATION to the actual time you spend in the school. Your 30 hour week can be as long as 50 hours.
next question?? |
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solo
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:13 am Post subject: Korea Herald |
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Thanks for the rapid and clear replies. Is that related to all Korea Herald schools. I thought as its a biggish chain it would be better than the smaller hagwons! Actually i many years experience in Japan and one school was pretty bad so i am not green to it all. But want to be prepared for Korea! Read some horror stories on the blacklist site and Korea Herald in Kangnam is mentioned!
http://members.tripod.com/~taegu/blacklist.html
How would i tell a recruiter or the school itself at interview that I expect to be taxed just 1.6% and that i am wise to it? Same again about the O.T. pension, insurance and holidays?
I don't wanna scare employers and recruiters off.
Thanks again!
Also - how about Pagoda or Direct English in Seoul. I may have a job lined up with them too but it seems rent isn't free, but they contribute an allowance. Anything on them other than the websites would be appreciated.
Thanks. |
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