Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cuppotea]

The co. in question is YBM, which has some pretty strong language in their contracts about not giving cash equivalents in exchange for airfare, so I'm wondering, why?
They still have to pay for the ticket anyway, so what's it to them if you want the money instead of the ticket?

[laogaiguk]

Actually, it is a way to save money. Some people don't take it because of it. It is pretty lame. Can you get a refundable ticket ???

[Songtan33]

If they are not willing to give you back the money for it and it's part of the incentive package then you are already out of $1000.00 I would tell them to have a nice day. Keep your receipt and find another school. That money could be a nice bonus for your vacation. I know Gepik gives money back. You may want to try them.

[wings]

If they give you cash then they can't write it off. a plane ticket has a receipt and is a business expense. Seems pretty logical to me.

[Cheonmunka]

If we go further, then showing the contract (as a receipt) with the airfare as a deductable employee expense is not possible? Does the signed contract become (by it's very bulk to carry around) inadmissible as a bonded business expense when it comes to filing time?

What's the guts?

[boyne11]

[Fresh Prince]

Buying a return ticket home: The school controls the cost by shopping around and finding the lowest cost possible. They can use discount carriers, flights with many stop-overs, frequent-flier miles, etc. They may also get price reductions; bonuses; frequent-flier miles; bulk discounts, credit card benefits, etc.

Paying in Cash: The employee has an incentive to find the most expensive ticket possible to maximize the cash payment. They can then find a cheaper flight and make a profit.

[pkang0202]

[Mr. BlackCat]

I used to work with YBM and there's a few reasons I can see why they do this. First, being such a huge company, they always have teachers coming and going. Therefore, they get cheap tickets through bulk. They're not just buying your ticket one way all of a sudden. They're likely getting a return portion of another new teacher's arrival ticket or something like that.

Second, they want to control when you come and go as well as cost. My contract ended right before a holiday period and they told me that all tix were sold out for that period. I found one on my own, but they said it was unavailable. Of course it was just too expensive, and they also wanted me to stick around for a few more days to help them out more.

Further, with cost, they're not going to trust you to find the cheapest flight. So, they're going to have to employ someone to find the least-expensive method and if they're going to do that then they might as well go ahead and get the ticket.

At my school you could get a refund on the ticket, although you'll lose about 10% of its value. I don't blame the company for doing it, but it would be nice to have the option.

[mindmetoo]