Korean Job Discussion Forums

[loscatalanes]

Can anybody tell me what they think of this contract? It is for Tenet Korea public schools. If you have experience with them, that would be great. Or any comments on the contract. Also, what is >EPIK?

Below is 1) the ad they put up and 2) the contract they offered
ad:
FULL-TIME PUBLIC SCHOOL ESL Teacher Position.
Teaching student at Primary, Middle and high school.
You will be an assistant teacher and there is little resposibility.

WORKING HOURS:
- Monday to Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm (1hr lunch break included)
- 22 actual teaching hours/week (breaks inserted between classes)
- No split shifts
- Elementary level
PAYMENT:
- Salary : 1,800,000~2,700,000 Won/month (about 1,895~2840 US Dollar/month)
- One month salary bonus upon completion of the 1 year contract
- Overtime 20,000 ~ 25,000 Won/hour
- Voluntary Saturday projects (these are paid in cash)

Housing :
Furnished Housing Provided(Single studio-type) or 300,000 Won Housing Allowance

Other benefit :
- Medical Insurance 50%
- E-2 Visa (Include Sponsorship, airfare only)
- Paid Vacation during school vacation
- Air ticket if employed by overseas
- 300,000 Won for settlement (one-time payment)
- Tax Exemption: 2 years of income tax exemption (except Canadians)
- National Pension Scheme - 50% of your compulsory contributions paid by your employer

And:
- Support Network for Teachers.
- Provincial Orientation and Training.
- Free Cultural Trips and Tours.
- Contract extension incentives.
- Get paid even during public school vacation time.(Summer and Winter)
- Additional payment for English camps.
- Opportunities to make even more teaching supplementary classes.

There are many different teaching positions available in Korea, and most likely you are trying to decide which job would best fit your personal and career goals. We have been recruiting vast numbers of native teachers to public schools all over Korea and The public school positions we have got have several advantages to offer, which we would like to highlight here.
1. Regular Hours and Vacation Time
First of all, you will have very regular working hours and are not contractually obligated to work during evenings or weekends. You will be employed by the Korean government, and can thus take all national holidays off in addition to 14 workdays paid vacation time. And because you will work in the public school system, they can sometimes enjoy additional paid time off when schools are closed.
2. Job Security
As a government employee, your job is secure with English Program In Korea. You will never be released from your contract for budget or institutional problems nor for preferential reasons, like your physical appearance or your accent. Also, you are always paid in full and paid on time, unlike some private academies
3. More Prestige
EPIK is the only national English teaching program sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education and can carry more weight on a resume or CV. Work well done in EPIK also has more prestige and can bring widespread recognition in a local community or even in a province. EPIK is also a great launching point for an English (ESL/EFL) teaching career.
4. More Flexibility
EPIK positions offer a lot of flexibility in your teaching. Most EPIK participants have autonomy over what they teach and do not have to adhere to rigid rules or pre-designed textbooks. EPIK participants usually have little administration work and are not hindered by having to meet academic objectives, but can focus more on building confidence and having fun in the classroom.
5. A Greater Impact
In EPIK, you will have the opportunity to network with high-ranking education officials and administrators who can improve the way English is taught in the public schools of Korea. Simply by sharing the different ways in which you learned English, you can give them valuable input and ideas which can affect change on an official level. You will also have the opportunity to teach students from diverse backgrounds, and not just those students who can afford private lessons. You may also have the opportunity to teach public school teachers, who will then go on to teach English to their students. In other words, you can potentially reach many more people and have a much greater impact than with other teaching jobs in Korea. In some areas of Korea, young students have still never met people from outside Korea and will be fascinated by everything you do and say. You can break false conceptions and open the world to them as a true cultural bridge.

I copied this form a pdf (quite a lot of work):

This Employment Contract (hereinafter this �Contract�) is made by and entered into between the Supertintendent of the Chungnam Provincial Office of Educatio (CNOE), the Republic of Korea (herinafter �Employer�), and the native English speaker. (Name)----------- (herinafter �Employee�) a/an -----------citizen residing at----------.

Article 1 (Purpose) This contract is made for the purpose of setting forth terms and conditions of employment for assistant teachers who will teach English at an elementary and secondary school in Chungcheongnam-do.

Article 2 (Status of Employment) Employee shall be hired pursuant to this Contract as a __1 ++ level English Language Instructor (ELI) __1+ level English Language Instructor (ELI) __1st level ELI __2nd level ELI __3rd level ELI.

Article 3 (Duties) Employee shall perform the following duties
1 To teach English as assistant teacher at an elementary and middle school on Chungnham Province.
2 To do lesson planning and develop teaching materials with a Korean co-teacher.
3 To be involved in extra-curricula classes, teacher training, or English camps requested by the school.
4 To be involved in other activities relevant to English teaching.

Article 4 (Supervision) Employee shall carry out the duties set forth in the foregoing Article 3 pursuant to and under specific instruction and supervision of the Supervisor of the Work Place designated by the Employer.

Article 5 (Term of Employment)
1 The Term of Employment shall commence on ______ and end on ______.
2 The employment period is not continuance and should not be considered as continuance of any former employment in other city/province. Hence, Employer shall hire Employee as a new ELI, commencing on ________.

Article 6 (Resignation)
1 Employee shall perform the duties set forth under Article 3 hereof during the Term of Employment set forth under Article 5 hereof.
2 However, if Employee should desire to resign from the English Program in Chungnam and thereby terminate this Contract, he/she must give Employer a thirty (30) day prior written notice of resignation stating a date of and a reason for resignation.
3 In the case of Employee�s resignation, the airfare for the return flight shall be borne by Employee and his/her visa shall be cancelled.

Article 7 (Work Place)
1 Employee shall work at a place designated by Employer, and the work place may be a school, Provincial Office of Education, training centre, or any other educational institute located in Chungnam Province.
2 Employer may designate multiple Work Places for Employee.

Article 8 (Work Hours)
1 Employee shall work eight ( hours per day (excluding lunch hour) for five (5) calendar days per week from Monday to Friday and shall not work on Saturdays, Sundays and any national holidays of the Republic of Korea.
2 The Work Hours of Employee may follow the work schedule of civil servants of the Korean Government; however, such Work Hours may be adjuster by Employer as he/she deems appropriate.
3 Actual class instruction hours of Employee shall not exceed twenty-two (22) hours per week. If, however, Employee�s actual weekly class instruction hours exceed twenty-two (22) hours due to supplementary instruction, Employee shall be entitled to a supplementary class instruction pay at the rate applicable to Korean teachers dor the supplementary class instruction hours.
4 Employer may require to work overtime in addition to normal Work Days and Work Hours. In this case, overtime pa will be provided.

Article 9 (Salary)
1 Employee shall be paid the total amount of _________ Korean Won (KRW) per month. However, the Korean income tax, medical insurance premium and thr national pension contribution, as required under Korean law, shall be withheld each month form the Employee�s salary.
2 Employee�s salary shall be paid the 25th of each month. Of this day falls on a national holiday, Saturday or Sunday, the salary will be paid on the immediately preceding business day.
3 When Employee has not worked a full month, salary for that month shall be paid on a pro rata basis either from the first day or until the last day of work.
4 If Employee should be absent form work without having obtained a prior approval, Employee�s salary for that month shall be lessened by the amount calculated on a pro rata basis for the number of unauthorised days absent.
5 Employee shall not claim, against Employer, any compensation and/or payment other than those provided for in this Contract.

Article 10 (Renewal)
1 The Term of Employment stated in Article 5 hereof may be renewed by the mutual written agreement between Employer and Employee, provided that each renewed employment term does not exceed one (1) year.
2 In the case of renewal of this Contract pursuant to the foregoing 1, Employee shall be given two weeks for a home leave which shall take place 2 calendar weeks prior to the contract end date specified in Article 5 hereof until the day immediately preceding the commencement of the renewed term. This two week home leave will be counted as part of the contract term, and accordingly salary will be paid.
3 In the event that the employee travels to his/her home country (or another destination which is equal to or less than the distance to his/her home) pursuant to the foregoing 2, Employee�s round trip airfare shall be reimbursed by Employer after Employee�s return to Korea. The round trip airfare for Employee�s flight shall be based on an economy class airfare of the most direct flight available.
4 In the case that the employee doesn�t travel to his/her home country o another destination until the day immediately preceding the commencement of the renewed term, he /she will be paid 500,000 Korean Won (KRW).

Article 11 (Airfare)
The airfare for Employee�s flight, actual purchasing price, to Korea shall be loaned by Employer based on an economy class airfare of the most direct flight available from his/her permanent residence to Incheon International Airport, Korea. In case of the termination of this Contract within six (6) months, including renewals, regardless of course or ground therefore, Employee shall immediately pay back Employer the above mentioned loan. If Employee works more than six (6) months during the term of Employment from the date of commencement, Employee�s obligation to pay back the loan provided pursuant to this provision shall be waived by the Employer.
2 If Employee works fully until the end of the Term of Employment and returns to his/her home country (or another destination which is equal or less than the distance to his/her home) within 10 days from the expired date of the Term of Employment, Employer shall pay for Employee�s return flight to his/her home (or another destination which is equal or less than the distance to his/her home) based on an economy class airfare of the most direct flight available.
3 If the new employee is the one who has lived in domestic area, he/she shall be paid 500,000 Korean Won (KRW) in lieu of airfare.

Article 12 (Housing)
1 Employer shall provide Employee with housing selected by Employer. Housing selected by Employer may be, including but not limited to, a leased house, a studio-type room, or an apartment. Any and all fees, charges, costs, taxes, expenses, etc. incurred in using the housing shall be borne by Employee.
2 If Employer is not able to provide housing for Employee; Employer shall provide Employee with 400,000 Korean Won (KRW) per month, as a rent subsidy, in lieu of the housing set forth in the foregoing 1.
3 Employer may provide temporary housing until the appropriate housing for Employee becomes available.
4 Employer shall decide whether to provide Employee with housing or a rent subsidy after discussion with employee. Once decided, Employer�s decision shall not be subsequently changed during the tern of Employment,
5 If Employer provides housing to Employee, Employer may provide, appliances and furniture such as a bed, table and chairs, a closet, a gas range, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a microwave, and a TV set. Employee shall not request or demand any other appliance or furniture than those provided by the Employer.

Article 13 (Other Benefits)
1 Employee shall be entitled to one time settlement allowance of 400,000 Korean Won (KRW), when he/she first arrives in Korea. In case of the termination of this contract within six (6) months, regardless of course or ground therefore, Employee shall immediately pay back Employer the fore mentioned allowance.
2 Employer shall provide Employee with half of medical insurance pursuant to the National Medical Insurance Act of Korea. In the event Employee has his/her family living with him or her in Korea, Employer will also provide half of the medical insurance premium for Employee�s family.
3 Employee working for Chungnam Province shall be entitled to an additional provincial allowance of 100,000 Korean Won (KRW) every month.
4 Employees working in remote areas (as designated by POE) may be eligible for a special rural allowance of 100,000 Korean Won (KRW) per month.
5 Employees with the exception of Canadians shall be eligible for exemption form paying Korean income tax during the period of the first two years if he/she provides the following documents to the employer before the first payment of salary:
1)�Residence Certificate� issued by a competent authority of employee�s resident country
2) �an Application for Tax Exemption� on non-resident�s Korean source income provided under the Korean Tax Treaty. If the employee has already worked more than years in Korea, he/she shall not be eligible for a tax exemption.
6 The employer shall provide employee with half of the national pension plan deduction (approximately 4.5% of salary) pursuant to the National Pension Corporation Act of Korea. American or Canadian employee is eligible for a pension distribution refund if he/she submits the required documents to the Korean National Pension Corporation when he/she leaves Korea after the successful of each one-year contract.

Article 14 (Vacation)
1 Employee shall be entitled to a vacation period of a twenty (20) workdays during the Term of Employment set forth in Article 5 hereof. Employees working in a school system shall take the leave up to ten workdays during the summer and winter recess respectively. If the requested vacation period interferes with smooth work operations, employer/employee alternate vacation dates
2 Employee shall apply for and obtain Employer�s consent to take a leave at least fifteen (15) days in advance.

Article 15 (Sick Leave)
1 Employee shall be entitled to a paid lick leave if an illness or injury prevents him/her from performing the duties under the Contract, provided, however, that he/she obtains Employer�s prior consent.
2 When Employee takes a sick leave for more than seven (7) days (inclusive of a national holiday, Saturday, and Sunday), Employee shall submit a practising doctor�s medical report to Employer.
3 Employee�s paid sick leave during the Term of Employment shall not exceed fifteen (15) calendar days (inclusive of a national holiday, Saturday, and Sunday) If Employee requires a sick leave for more than fifteen (15) calendar days, Employee may take further sick leave without pay.

Article 16 (Special Leave)
1 Employee may take a Special Leave for a number of days as set forth below for each of the following events:
1. Seven (7) calendar days for Employee�s marriage.
2. Seven (7) calendar days for the death of Employee�s parent or spouse; five (5) calendar days for the death of Employee�s child.
3. In the case of a female Employee, ninety (90) calendar days for a maternity leave. 2 Special leaves specified n items 1 are available with pay. However, maternity leave shall be available with pay for only the first sixty days.

Article 17 (Codes of Conduct)
1 Employee shall not behave in any manner which may damage or tarnish the reputation of the teaching profession. Employee shall comply with and observe any codes of conduct applicable to Korean teachers.
2 Employee shall not engage in any other job (including a part-time job) during the Term of Employment set forth under Article 5 hereof.
3 Employee shall not be involved in any activities which may cause harm to the students or be of detriment to the reputation of the school.

Article 18 (Termination of the Contract)
1 Employer may terminate or cancel this Contract upon occurrence of any one of the flowing events:
1. If employee violates the laws of the Republic of Korea.
2. If Employee fails to perform or unsatisfactorily perform any of the duties stipulated in this contract.
3. If Employee fails to perform continuously his/her duties for more than a week without any excuse.
4. If any of the information provided in Employee�s application is neither true nor accurate.
5. If it is determined that Employee is prevented from or incapable of performing his/her duties set forth in Article 3 hereof for a medical reason, whether it is a physical or psychological examination ailment. (If requested by Employer, Employee must be immediately available for a medical examination).
6. If the sick leave used by the Employee pursuant to Article 15 hereof exceeds thirty (30) days.
2 In the event that this Contract is terminated pursuant to the foregoing 1, Employer shall pay Employee a prorated salary based on the number of days actually worked by Employee. In such event, Employee shall be responsible for the return flight to his/her home country. Employee�s visa will subsequently be cancelled.
3 In the event of termination of the Contract pursuant to any of the provisions set forth in the foregoing 1, Employee shall immediately refund the loan to Employer pursuant to Article 11 1.

Article 19 (Matters not explicitly stated in the Contract)
Matters not explicitly stated in the Contract shall be determined by the Employer by taking Employee�s concerns into consideration.

Article 20 (Condition of Employment)
1 Employee shall complete an orientation conducted by CNOE before the commencement of the Term of Employment provided under Article 5 hereof.
2 The orientation period shall not be included in the Term of Employment as under Article 5. Thus, Employee will not be entitled to any compensation.
3 Employer gives previous notice of orientation programme to the employee.

Article 21 (Indemnity)
Employee shall indemnify and keep Employer harmless from any liability or damages from or in relation to any negligent, intentional or illegal activity of Employee during the Term of Employment under this Contract.

Article 22 (Governing Law, Language and Venue)
1. The terms of this contract and the rights and obligation of the parties hereto shall be construed, interpreted and determined in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Korea.

Article 23 (Signature)
In witness whereof, the parties hereto sign the Contract in triplicate on the date entered below with each party retaining one copy and submitting the third copy to an immigration office for Employee�s visa application.
The inventory of the appliances and furniture provided by Employer
1 Telephone, 1 refrigerator, 1 washing machine, 1 television set, 1 vacuum cleaner, 1 microwave, 1 gas range, 1 electric rice cooker, 1 electric fan, 1 electric iron, 1 bed, 1 sofa, 1 kitchen table, 1 wardrobe, 1 desk, 1 chair, 1 curtain, 1 air conditioner.

Signing date
Employer�s signature, Employee�s signature
Seal Passport number
Governor Chungnam Office of Education
Address

[Satin]

EPIK stands for English Program in Korea. Tenant Korea is a recruiting agency, I think!

Contract is pretty standard. I take it, you don't mind living in rural areas.

Enjoy and have fun!