Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VirginIslander]

My contract finishes in late June. Originally I planned on going home for the holiday; however, my school wants me to help them start up their newest branch. If I choose to work with them, I will only have a two day break between contracts.

Having taught before at a school, as opposed to a hagron, I understand the importance of a little time off. On the other hand, we are fairly large franchise, with over 15 locations, and I would like to get involved in other aspects of education: curriculum development, teacher management, recruiting teachers. Working at the new school will allow me to do this.


Currently I am negotiating my next contract. This is what I want:

1. $2,000 in exchange for a roundtrip ticket, and the ticket home at the end of my second contract.

2. $1,000 because I am not using a recruiter.

3. 100,000 Won raise per month, housing, one week of vacation, end of contract bonus.

4. One less class. Currently at six a day.


For me, one and two make sense because if they do not rehire me, they will have to buy a ticket to fly me home, they will have to buy a ticket to fly in another teacher and they will have to pay the recruiter for finding the new teacher.

Number three is standard.

Number four will allow me to help develop new materials.

Is that reasonable? Should I ask for an extra week of vacation, too? Should I be asking for more money (2.2). I feel that I am an effective teacher but this is my first experience with negoitiations in Korea.

Thanks in advance,

VI

PS I do not need to hear that you are making 3.7, teaching 18 hours a week, and there are 100 virgins waiting for you in heaven.

[Saxiif]

Let's see you want:

Your bonus (2 millionish?) + 2 million for airfare + 1 for no recruiter + your last month of pay (2 millionish?) = 7 million all at once.

Of course you're entitled to that much money and you logic is impeccable but for their end they'll be hearing "whitey wants 7 million all at once, he must be planning to take that stack of cash and pull a runner." I VERY much doubt you'd be able to get it. Also asking for one less class wouldn't do much since I doubt you could get an exact schedule in writing and they'd just give you one more whenever they're a teacher short.

If they're a good enough place to work at another year, he's what I'd go for as a minimum:
-1 million for not getting air fare
-official head foreign teacher position (which usually means no real extra work, just a bit more responsibility)
-2.5 million salary, which is fair for a head teacher at a kiddie hagwon
-You're legally entitled to 10 days vacation, make sure those are written into your contract.

Of course more than that would be nice, but the above should be doable and decent enough

[yingwenlaoshi]

I'd say between 1000 and 1500 for the plane ticket and that's it. Whatever the ticket costs. And the raise. That's it. I think you're asking for too much.

Buy hey. Go high. Can't hurt.

[VanIslander]

Hey VIRGIN, from one VI to another VI,... take a break!

[esetters21]

[waltjocketty]

First of all, 2 million won for a plane ticket is outrageous. Last time I flew here (from USA) I paid under 800K. You should be given some money for a plane ticket, but it should be roughly equivalent to the cheapest coach flight you can find, because that is what they would be buying your potential replacement.

Secondly, a 100K raise seems reasonable, particularly since they seem to want you back.

Third, you have to realize that teaching in Korea is a job that requires no credentials and pays fairly well considering that very significant fact. Consequently, you are very replaceable and I don't think you're really in a position to be asking for as much money as you're asking.

While you may in fact be an amazing teacher, it may also be true that the school wants to keep you on IN ORDER to save the money which you are asking be given to you. Maybe, when presented with the ultimatum of forking over thousands of dollars for you to stay, they'll decide to take their chances on the free agent market. I think it's easier to find a good-enough teacher than it is to find a good job. Because of this, I think the school may have more leverage here than you care to admit.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Get 200k a month raise. 100K for your salary and another 100k under the table for the plane ticket. That way it's better for them to pay in parts instead of one lump sum. Trust me. If ever you have to leave or they fire you, then have it written in that they owe you the res of the plane ticket. If you want, up it 50k, if you want. Don't be too greedy though. After all, it's more money. These guys seem to conentrate on the short-term in case you keel over or something. Ha!

You're doing him a favor for staying and they're doing you a favor for keeping you, giving you a raise, and actually saving you money for an expensive trip (not working), etc. Think about it. Be rational.

Worked for me.

[bobbybigfoot]

OP,

You come across as a greedy whitey. You are asking for more money, and offering to work less.

What are you offering your school aside from your teaching abilities?

You should consider a more equitable offering. Split the costs with the school. Offer to accept half the expeditures in cash, thereby *saving* the school money as well as making yourself some money.

i.e. Plane ticket would cost them 1500 should you leave. So let them pay you 1000 cash. And save 500. Tell them they can pay you over the course of the contract.

Offer to work what is necessary to ensure the school is a success, not trying to lighten your workload. If I heard that, I'd buy your plane ticket and let you go.

Definately negotiate a raise. I'd go for 2.5 million as head teacher. But work for your paycheck.

[Tokki1]

[VirginIslander]

bobbybigfoot

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I would suggest you ask for 1.2m in exchange for a flight and a W200,000 / month raise, especially if you'll be doing management tasks. I can't see them possibly going for #2, even if hiring a replacement would cost them that much in recruiters' fees. You should also ask for a few bonus holidays on either side of Chusak so you can get away for a long enough time to preserve your sanity.

[VirginIslander]

Thanks Van. I recently read your thread on vacation time, so I might have to take those three weeks. Also, Crossroads is having their tenth aniversary party this Saturday. I know you have an aversion towards drunken of foriegners but it should be a good time.

Yu_bum_suk. Great idea.

[VirginIslander]

Their final decision:

As a returning teacher and the new head teacher, I will get a 1,000,000 bonus and 2.2, with the other standards perks.

However, they are still saving money be rehiring me (vs. hiring a new teacher) and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

But, I get a 1,000,000 bonus (recruiting myself), a flight home (current school pays) and back (new school pays), three weeks off between contracts, same pay, a really nice apartment, and fewer classes and students if I go to my friend's school.

I guess I will tell them no tonight. Have fun dealing with six new teachers.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Good luck on that. If you pull it off you will have a career in politics.

[yingwenlaoshi]

2.2 is low.