Korean Job Discussion Forums

mavsfan5 · Joined: 19 Jan 2009

Before coming to Korea last November, I made sure I had a/c in my contract since I live in the most southern part of the country and it gets HOT. Last week, some men came to install my a/c but apparently the owner of my building was not having it. The next morning, my boss told me that the owner refuses to let me have a/c, saying that no one in the building has a/c and she won't let me either. It's ridiculous if you ask me. I am already burning up and it's not even the peak of the summer season.

All of this being said, I'm just wondering what I should do. My other two co-workers were able to get a/c, but not me. It's in my contract to get it. Any advice would be appreciated.

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

Get your coteacher to approach the manager or Principal of your school, & request that they go in to bat for you. You will be the one paying the electricity bill for the a/c, not the building manager or owner. It's really none of their business. Get the cellphone number of the obstructionist building owner. Your school probably has it already.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

chris_J2,

I don't sense the OP is working in a public position. Use of the term "boss" and the fact that (as far as I know) no public contracts address A/C under the 'Housing' article, lead me to believe the OP works for a hogwan.

mavsfan5,

You are indeed in a difficult situation.
Did you actually witness the workers arrive to do the installation? I ask this because something doesn't 'add up' about the story... why would the landlord be opposed to A/C?

If your boss truly did attempt to have A/C installed, he/she is also in a difficult situation because there is undoubtedly at least a one-year 'lease' on the apartment.

My advice is to sit down with the boss and (rationally) mention the Labor Relations Commission (Labor Board)... see what happens, and take it from there.

Good luck!

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:55 pm Post subject:

at my last job i made the installation of a/c a term of the contract, stating it as a MUST, and it was installed by the summer

at my present job i made the installation of a/c in each classroom i was teach in (one had it, one didn't) a contract condition

if an employer didn't provide it, i'd say find me a new place that has a/c

it's a basic need for me (like having my passport in my own possession)

one has to decide for oneself where one draws the line

for me, i'd give notice of a specific date by which a/c need to be provided or else i'd have to leave (one month notice is reasonable)

you will get a/c is your employer sees how basic a need it is to you

not communicating one's intentions and one's set unwavering commitments means one will be *beep* on and either one will have to lump it or leave it: stop that by doing a gut check and figuring out how important it is to you

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject:

chris_J2,

I see... I took "manager" to mean office/financial/business manager of a PS.

OP,

In K-land, be careful what you wish for. In one of my apartments, the 'air-con' installers ran the ducting to the heat exchange unit and the condensation drain hose through the door channel to my 'balcony'... so there was a 5 cm gap with the sliding door fully 'closed'.

In a different apartment, the 'Skylife guys' ran the coax from the dish through the door channel as well. Rolling Eyes

I've watched Korean 'plumbers', 'carpenters' & 'electricians'... and come to the conclusion there is no apprenticeship system here. A tool kit for any job consists of: a hammer, an 8" crescent wrench, a pair of pliers and a flat-head screwdriver. If there is a way to possibly 'Mickey Mouse' something, that's the way they'll do it.

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

ontheway · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:58 pm Post subject: Re: Contract Question (A/C)

VanIslander · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:06 am Post subject:

above all,...

use the language of "need"

have a pained expression, like you are caught having to give bad news: that you must have it

there's absolutely no need for anger nor for haughty self-righteous contract waving or kingly demands

"i can't live or work where it's so hot and sweaty, for me, i can't handle it, sorry but i absolutely need air conditioning"

that sort of attitude

stand your ground, but do so with the right attitude

ontheway · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:11 am Post subject:

mavsfan5 · Joined: 19 Jan 2009

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

Straphanger, if you yell at a Korean, more often than not, they'll hold a grudge, & try to find a vindictive way to get back at you, even if the yelling was totally justified. An unfavourable work reference, when you leave, eg. Been there, done that.

Cool, calm, & collected, is the best approach.

ontheway · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:24 am Post subject:

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea