Korean Job Discussion Forums

darren0946uk · Joined: 29 May 2007

Ok I been at hogwon for 8 months now, and as we know we all seem to have our own accomadation. Which i do and i am the only foreign teacher there. I have two bedroom apartment.

However they want to employ another foreign teacher, and today i got phone call from boss saying she will be here in 1 hour as she got new tv and bed. Plus she said something about contract, but could not understand. I think they are moving someone in here. Do i have a leg to stand on to say no to this. As was told i would have my own place, yet seems like could change very shortly. Someone moving in and maybe hours change.

Please tell me what can i do?

Darren

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Check your contract if it says shared housing your stuck.

If it doesn't specify single you may be stuck.

If it specifies single your probably within your rights to protest, call the labor board.

Are you at a public school or Hogwan?

BigBuds · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon

It all depends on what your contract states. Check your contract and if it says single accommodation then say something to them about it.

If it doesn't say anything about it then a nice tactful approach saying that you were told it would be a single apartment not shared and how unconfortable this will make things for you, etc might work. If they're good employers they should get another apartment for the new teacher especially if they said you would have a single apartment not a shared one.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Typical bad type of behavior in Korea. Not like everyone's like this here. My friend is going on vacation for a week and I agreed to take care of his dogs. But in this typical fashion, he decides to call me today to drop his dogs off in one hour. No phone calls the day before or nothing. Just last minute so as to put me on the spot with no choice. Not giving you time to mull things over in case one decides they don't want to do it. I told him I'd leave my door open and he could do everything while I'm at work and drop my key off at the academy.

Your boss is putting you on the spot. When I first started here, my boss didn't have an apartmen ready for me right away, I had to stay with another teacher for a couple of weeks and actually slept on the floor. Then he had the gall to tell me I had to pay half the utilities. While sleeping on the floor. Fk sakes. That's when he got one of the first tastes of what I can be like. The other teacher said, "Screw this! He was my guest, so I'll pay all the utilities."

There's really not much you can do right now. He's moving the other teacher in. Enjoy your roommate. Make it short lived though. Insist on getting your own apartment.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

If they verbally told you that you would have your OWN apartment, then I would not let the person in the door. Tell them to get the individual a yogwan until the apartment is ready. If they tell you that this person must share with you, then tell them that you will not work under those circumstances since it is a breech of trust on their part. Remember, they need you more than you need them. You have to pick your battles carefully and this is one going to war over IMHO. It's actually something worth quitting over. Remember, begin gently by reminding them of their promise of living alone. If you let this teacher in to your apartment, then they will most likely not bother finding another domicile for them.

Tell the teacher that it is nothing personal, it's just business. Let the teacher know that you will help them settle into the neighborhood and be a helping hand. It's just they promised that I would have my own apartment.

Best of luck to you and remember, you are battling along with all of the rest of the people who want single dwelling apartments. Worse comes to worse, there is the Labor Board, but it must be specified in the contract I guess. Would a verbal promise cut it with them, I wonder? Good luck.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Yeah, I'd be pretty p1ssed if they were showing up to my door with a bed and a roommate. Especially last minute.

Get all red-faced angry. "What are you doing?"

darren0946uk · Joined: 29 May 2007

here the latest, maybe i being paronoid yet this is korean and hogwon boss.

So boss just came and said new furniture is coming. Can you clear out spare room. I asked what will you put in there. She was like new furniture table and chairs. Then she ask for key as deliver will be later. I smell a rat or maybe she's being kind to try and keep me hear. Its black or white. Either i am getting new furniture, or she moving someone in on the sly while i am at work. Man i am stressed!! and maybe time to leave.
Darren

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

It would be shite not being able to wander around in the buff anymore.

Put your foot down and say no. Your school owner is just being a cheap cnut and saving money.

Of course if it's a female you may be able to get her to cook and clean etc.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

Anything happened yet? Don't leave us hanging, man.

philipjames · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

Dude, are you even a natiive speaker? Your Englishee is no so good.