Korean Job Discussion Forums

[falco]

Was asked today if I was interested in signing on for another year at my Elementary school. Was told though that the Kyeonggi Education Dept was giving less money to each school so I could only expect the same wage as last year.

In my paranoid frame of mind I'm thinking that this is just a ruse to stop foreign teachers asking for an increase in their salary for staying on another year. Or maybe it is true. Anybody heard anything about this??

- falco.

[khyber]

Are you in EPIK? If you are, your pay would/may go up according to the payscale.

If you ain't, huh, curious thing.

[pkang0202]

Eh...from what I've heard, the Geonggi-do education department gave a crap ton of money to each school.

My school doesn't know what to do with the money they them. So, my school bought me like $900 worth of furniture for my apartment, a new notebook computer, and bought new desk, chair, bookcase for my office in the teacher's room.

Maybe it various form school to school depending on the size and location. All I know is I'm getting the Presidential treatment here.

[Wrench]

[rothkowitz]

Do you think they actually used all of their budget the first time around?

You work at McDonalds you get a pay rise

Demand more then tell them to get stuffed anyway.

[ttompatz]

[Scouse Mouse]

[ED209]

[JohnTeacher]

Hi,
I was an elementary school teacher and at a meeting this past summer, Mr. Park (big shot in Suwon), told those in attendance that all teachers who signed again were automatically to be given a 100,000 won raise per month. Unless something drastically altered this, it should be that way still.

[Bigs]

[gsxr750r]

Ha... a ruse. Typical Korean bullshit lie.

Tell them you'll be going with another school, because you heard you can get an extra 100,000 because they are so desperate.

Tell them you're sorry you'll have to leave, but there are greener pastures.

By the way, my old private hs used to surcharge the parents a few won extra to pay for a second native speaker the gov't wouldn't pay for.

Their next step will be to cave, promise you more, then drag their feet until the last minute on the contract. When you get that contract, it will not include the pay raise, and they will once again say they can't pay you that.

Your job now is to demand a signed contract very soon, with proper pay listed, or you will walk. If they hem and haw, then screw 'em.

Give them a date to get it to you by (give them a few weeks) or you will be signing elsewhere.

Don't give them an inch. This is a perfect illustration of Korean negotiating tactics. A signed contract locks them in (signed by both you and them). Until you have that done, they will delay, drag feet, change their mind, etc. I have lived in Korea for five years, and seen this exact thing happen every single year: we don't have the money, gov't is cutting back, blah blah blah

I'm sure you've seen North Korea do this type of thing. It's the same exact kind of deal. It's the Korean way of doing things.

[ilovebdt]

[Scouse Mouse]

[gsxr750r]

Secrets of the game:

If they say they absolutely can't pay you that, then tell them you absolutely can't stay (tell them very nicely). Within a day or two, find some influential friends at the school, and tell them you won't be renewing. When they act shocked and ask why, then tell them you really love the school, and want to stay, but the school will not give you the standard 100,000 pay raise for staying. Tell them you are so sad to go, but you know of two other schools who have already contacted you about jobs, and they will pay you that. Tell them how... gosh... you will miss this place so much, but the pay situation is just better elsewhere.

They will give you the typical, "Oh, we hate to see you go" and they will ask who will be replacing you. That's when you tell them that you'd like to recommend a friend, but all of them have been snatched up by other schools due to the teacher shortage.

This news will fly around the school quickly. Make sure you sugar-coat it with how much you wish you could stay, but the school won't budge on the pay.

If you are good, teachers will put pressure on people to meet your offer.

It works. Did this two years in a row at my old school. They try to use their power of uncertainty over you as a weapon. They do this with Korean teachers in Private schools when contracts must be renewed as well. I've seen it happen.

Your job is to level-out the playing field by shooting down their advantage. Be friendly, and let them know you'll be going elsewhere, because the pay is better and other schools are even offering signing bonuses. Suddenly, when they realize their bluff has been called, they will be faced with the fact that their teacher will be disappearing, all the work of a new job search must take place, and they will be the ones with an uncertain future.

Korean schools a WELL AWARE of the fact that many foriegners here absolutely suck/go nuts/have bad manners/don't kiss their butt as they would want. They have little meetings and hear horror stories about runners, etc. Use that to your advantage. If you are a decent teacher, they'd rather stay with the devil they know, in many cases.

[spliff]