Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nlb65]

I currently work in a classroom without any heating (apart from a space heater). In the UK it is against the law to teach when the temperature is below 13 celcius. What are the korean laws governing this? What's the temperature?

Thanks

[nobbyken]

There is a temperature, but I think it is somewhere around the 7 degree mark.
Although this is a written rule somewhere, principals have the final say as to who gets heating.

At my current school, some teachers ask(demand!) for AC most of the summertime, but don't get heating in winter.
It is common for teachers to have leg blankets, small heaters and wear coats and gloves while teaching.

I used to take in a hot water bottle, when my co-teacher insisted on opening the windows when it was freezing outside. She was terrified of catching something from the new classroom smell.

EDIT: At camp here, heating/AC is always on till lunchtime.

[TheChickenLover]

This isn't really a difficult situation you are dealing with. You are a teacher, your school administrator has the responsibility to provide a suitable classroom for you and your students to work in. If the classroom temperature is too cold or too hot, then simply state it is unacceptable to work under these conditions & simply request a proper classroom or refuse to teach.

I have done this several times and I always got a proper classroom after that.

Some schools may just throw you in a fridge in winter & see if you don't complain (a best case scenario) or if they'll need to spend some money to keep you warm (worst case scenario). All in all, heat & cooling are essential in this country and to be without it is not only inappropriate, it's also unacceptable.

Chicken

[nobbyken]

I also started wearing a Nebok this year (underwear to keep warm), to keep warm in school. It is too warm to wear at home or shopping.

[Snowkr]

I agree with Chicken. (that sounds so funny...)

These conditions whether legal or not, are totally unacceptable. I would not tolerate them. This is not a third world country.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Leave it up to the students to complain and whine. You're moving around and keeping a lot warmer than them.