Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Alias77]

I've got a contract that both school and recruiter are extremely eager to see me accept. Its mostly OK, but there are some spots that need clarification or clauses added. What is the best way to engage the negotiation? Do I just edit/write my version of the contract and send it back?

In particular, there's clause about my working hours that isn't clearly defined. From reading posts here, I feel that its important to have such things directly explained in the contract language, but will such a demand cost me an opportunity? I'd really like to know how some of you "tactfully" engage such questions like asking for slightly higher OT pay, defining standard working hours, or getting the LSA rights supposedly due to us.

[laogaiguk]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[jlb]

The way I did it was just send a little list of things I would like changed.

For example:

1. Could you please state my work hours?

2. Is there an air conditioner?

3. Is it possible to get my final month's salary and bonus on my last day worked?

I tried to do it politely as questions and my boss would just change it to include these things and send the contract back to me for my perusal.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Contracts are not really respected in the Hogwon industry. Or, to be more polite contracts are seen as flexible documents (that can be manipulated to the owner's avantage at any time).

Be wary.

[archer904]

To answer your question, your recruiter is your buffer. You see, the recruiter wants to place you, so everything you ask for is going to be presented to the employer in the best possible light.

Because of this, I am very direct with recruiters, because I know that there's a filter. For example, my recruiter's name was "Johnny," and the conversation went something like this:

Me: "Johnny, I won't work at a job that doesn't provide me at least a 30 minute lunch break near the middle of my day. Either get that put into the contract, or find me another placement. Also, 15,000 won for overtime is terrible. I want 25,000."

You know Johnny didn't say it that way to the employer. It was more like "The teacher respectfully asks for for additional money for overtime. You know, he has experience and an advanced degree, so you may want to consider it."

What came back to me was:

Johnny: "They have changed the contract to include a lunch break, and also have offered you 22,000 won for overtime. I hope it is acceptable."

So, if you're not dealing directly with the hagwan, you've got some room to not have to figure out exactly the right way to say things, in my opinion.