Sometimes I think that all the bosses in the ESL job market got together and made the work contract for ESL teachers. They are all basically the same. It is the differences that you have to look out for. Check out the left side of the page to see the standard stuff that every contract states. Here I'm going to write about the non standard stuff that you have to watch out for.
The value of a contract in Korea is different than in the West. How much the contract will be honored really depends on the school you're working for. Some employers will honor the contract to the letter while others will see it as a mere guideline that can be changed at their whim (private and public schools are both at fault on this subject). Make sure you let them know that you expect your contract to be honored (in a polite, indirect way of course) and stick to your guns on the important stuff or you might find that your contract is about as good as a sheriff's badge out of a Cracker Jack box.
One way that you can stem the problem is to make sure that you and your employer have the contract read aloud before signing. Especially with older Koreans, a verbal contract has much more meaning than a written one.
Again contacting former or present teachers at the school is a good way to find out just how well your new boss will honor their contract.
If there is a serious breach in the contract, you can contact the local Korean labor board and they may or may not help. Some are simpathetic to foreigners while others are not. They often cannot force your employer to comply but might be able to help you contact a good labor lawyer especially where money is involved. Sadly, somethings you might just have to live with or resign. Think hard before you do so as you will lose all your signing bonuses and probably your return plane ticket as well.
Don't let your employer threaten you if you do chose to resign. Don't pull a runner! It's not worth it. Give the required notice and leave on your terms. Hopefully, things can be worked out before you do leave, but just grin and bear it if it doesn't. Get everything owing you and find another job. Running away puts a blemish on your job record as well as the Korean government might penalize you monatarily as well as banning you from working as a teacher again for up to a year and in the worst cases for life. Do you really want to throw your career in Korea away over this?
Another thing to watch out for is what days you are expected to teach. Make sure that it states you are only going to have to work Monday to Friday. If it states that you might or are expected to work on the weekend, make sure that is what you want to do and are compensated for it. I had a school ask me to work for a couple of hours once and I told them I wanted double my overtime pay (it stated in my contract that I only had to work weekdays). They called me greedy and hung up. Twenty minutes later (and after calling every other teacher in the school) they called me back and gave in. Of course then I told them it was triple the rate and, though they cursed me, they grudgingly agreed. They never asked me to work on the weekends again. The morale of the story is that if they are going to ask you to do things outside of the contract, make sure that you benefit from the extra. It's also a good thing to sometimes say no as they may decide to ask you too often to do things that break your contract.
If your school is not within walking distance, ask the school if they will give you a travel allowance. This doesn't have to cover the full amount, but should be pretty close. Also, if the school wants to outsource you (you can teach legally up to two classes outside your school if you have the proper stamps from the nearest immigration office) make sure they either arrange transportation or again give you some kind of subsidy. Most schools will as they make a lot of money loaning out their teachers (and will prolly just bill whoever you are teaching for the costs).
Some schools provide meals for their teachers. Make sure whether this is paid by the school or you'll be asked to contribute (Most public schools charge you to eat in the cafeteria everyday. It's cheap, but you don't get a choice in the menu. I prefer to bag a lunch, but you may be less fussy.).
Utilities for your apartment are generally paid by you. Some rare schools will pay these costs, but generally they don't. Utility fees are relatively cheap here, so it's not a big concern, but if you're really a tightwad you might ask the school to pay or atleast give you a subsidy.
Check the housing you'll be given. Most give you a single studio apartment, but some expect to share an apartment with one or more teachers. If you have special needs (family coming with you, for example) make sure that the housing is adequate for your needs. Some schools charge you a refundable deposit against any damages to your place. Make sure that you are there when they do the checking, the first and last day of your dwelling there, and that any items that are damaged when you moved in are noted. Generally, you should expect any previous damage (if major) to be repaired by the employer, but make sure that's understood. Of course, any damages done while you live there will be covered by you, not your employer. If the damages exceed your deposit expect to have to pay the balance.
On a similiar note, make sure that all your appliances work. If they don't when you move in make sure that your boss knows and that you expect them to replace it at their cost. Also, sometimes employers will give you used appliances and furniture. Find out who has to replace them if they break. I once had a washer from the stone age in an apartment and after a month living there it finally gave up the ghost. After much discussion, I finally got the boss to replace it (even though in the contract it was my responsibility.
There are other things, of course, and if you have a specific question, feel free to email me. Generally, most employers will honor your contract and so should you. Especially if you plan on making a career teaching ESL in Korea.
2. Wage: Wages in Korea don't vary much from school to school. As a new teacher, you're at a standard rate which is decent and with the cost of living in Korea you can save alot of it for those pesky college loans or whatever.
3. Return Airfare: Most schools pay for a return economy flight to your home country. If you are already in the country, they may only pay a one way ticket home, but should then reimburse you for a Visa run to Japan.
4. Housing: Most schools supply a studio apartment with basic furnishings. If you need more than that make sure that you state so and have it changed in the contract. Also, if you want anything extra regarding furnishings and appliances make sure you let them know.
5. Completion Bonus: This should be equal to one month's salary if you stay for the full contract year. It's a lump of coin, especially if you aren't good at saving money like me.
6. Medical. All schools are required to get you Korean medical insurance and to pay half the cost. Try to get on the National Health Insurance as it will save you money if you frequent the doctor. Some medical plans are basically just indemnity insurance and you wind up paying full cost.
7. Overtime: All schools have a set amount of hours that you must work each week before you recieve overtime. Don't expect time and a half overtime as is done in the West. Just make sure the amount is more than your hourly wage (If you can get them to pay you time and a half, let me know and I'll come and work there, too).
8. Sick Leave: All employers have to grant you leave in special circumstances, such as sickness. Make sure that you know how many (some only offer two) and if you'll need a doctor's note.
9. Vacation: The amount of vacation time you get varies from school to school. Schools may also restrict when you can take your vacation. Still other schools may offer you a bonus if you don't take a vacation.
10. Holidays: Korea has about the most public holidays of any country in the world. You should get all of these off. Some schools (public schools) have their own holidays (founding day of the school, for example) and you get these off as well.
11. Duties: This tends to be a rather vague section in most contracts, but make sure you get specifics. Also find out if any teaching materials you create stay your property or become the property of the school (even if you do it on your own time).
12. Conduct: Your conduct inside and outside the school will be watched and any wrong doing based on this clause could lead to your termination. Criminal acts can lead to automatic termination, but even just culture errors might put you under the microscope. I know what you do in your free time should be your own business, but not in Korea.
13. Hours of Teaching: Every school will tell you exactly how many hours a week they expect you to teach. Make sure to find out what they mean by a teaching hour. Classes tend to run fifty minutes. Some schools count that as a teaching hour. Some do not and you wind up teaching more classes to make up the time.
Well, that's the standard stuff to look out for. If something is missing from the contract, Iwouldn't sign it or I'd find out why. It is almost impossible to renegotiate a contract once it is signed.
