Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Blanca]

Hi chaps, wonder if I could pick your brains about a situation I'm having.

I had a conversation with the boss today about getting air-con installed in mine and my girlfriend's shared apartment. He refused, saying it wasn't worth the cost of getting it installed and then uninstalled (the school doesn't actually own the apartment) just for the sake of 2 months of summer (yeah, our well-being means that much to him), especially since we'll be leaving the apartment at the end of September.

Now thus far, I'd like to point out, our boss has been absolutely excellent and the school likewise. Any hiccups have been minor and dealt with swiftly and fairly, but I feel he's being a jerk about this. Our contract states we are to expect a "furnished couple apartment", which to my mind means "has air-con" in a hot country like Korea. I pointed out the lack of air-con the day we moved in, in October, and he waved away my concerns saying he doesn't even use his air-con at home and that the summer was a long way away anyway. We've kept our side of the contract, to the letter, and with this issue he has not.

I've been very civil so far and the conversations I've had with the boss have been more "fact-finding" than anything, but it's probably fair to say I'm pretty pissed off about this. I'd like to start waving contracts in his face and reminding him of what he agreed to when he hired us, but I'm fully aware of the downsides of doing this. I can't do nothing but it seems, at this point, that there's very little I can do.

What do you reckon?

[tophatcat]

[Weigookin74]

The thing about older Koreans is that they don't feel the heat. They're almost impervious to it. You'll see some of them even wearing light coats and all bundled up on the walking trails when it's well into the 20's. The kids seem more like us in that they will get pissed if the air con isn't on on a hot muggy day. But, the older folks seem to love heat and humidity. They often have their bloody house heat cranked to 28 or 30 in winter. Needless to say, I don't want to visit anyone in winter. Lol.

As for the apartment, the air con shouldcome with most newer apartments. Sounds like your boss found an older apartment that was cheaper to him and doesn't have air con. He prob won't budge. If you were staying for a couple of years and he were going to keep that apartment for an eternity for the foreign teachers, then it may be more worth his while to get one put in. If he has worked with foregienrs before he should have some knowledge about our hate of heat and extreme discomfort.

Anyways, you either prob have to stick it out, quit the contract early, or see if you can buy a portable air con. Do youhave to leave in September or can you offer to stay longer? I have spent money on somethings, not an air con though. But, I also knew I'd be here fora few years to get my money's worth out of it.

[Harpeau]

I guess you have to crap, or get off the pot. You could just grin and bear it, or put your foot down and say that you will not teach unless he installs an air-conditioner.

I know what you mean, we just got a new air-con installed and it costs us 440,000 won. We had to pay for it ourselves. I wish you the best in your struggle.

[actionjackson]

I'm of the view that it's a luxury, not a necessity. My wife and I have one that we paid for but we honestly very rarely use it. I grew up with weather similar to here with no air con and actually prefer a fan.

[ttompatz]

I would be surprised if A/C is listed as a condition of employment in the contract.

It certainly isn't in the labor standards acts that govern accommodation and/or workers dormitories.

If you really want it and the boss won't pay for it then get it done yourself.
Just remember that you need to take it out (and pay to repair the damage) when you leave.

I'd be really careful waving the contract around. Most teachers are usually in violation of at least one condition of employment under the contract or labor law so remember that the sword cuts both ways.

Buy a fan or one of those portable A/C units for your apartment and hang the exhaust hose out the window.
http://www.best-air-conditioner-reviews.com/image-files/ge_portable_air_conditioner_2.jpg

.

[creeper1]

Of all the complaints on the forum this is the dumbest.

Go get a fan and stop being such a wimp.

[World Traveler]

Careful, man. Running a fan while you sleep could lead to....
https://amydunkley.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/blog46.jpg

[alpope23]

Deal with it.

[matthews_world]

Sounds like a landlord issue. Perhaps he doesn't want holes drilled into his walls for a/c hose drainage.

Your landlord should be the one responsible for giving you permission to put one in anyway.

Are you in an officetel? In this scenario, the entire buildings utility fees are divided up among the residents like a co-op (if I'm not mistaken) and perhaps the residents collectively they want to keep usage low.

Perhaps someone can be more thorough.

[Alias77]

[Malislamusrex]

I 'm having the same problem with my bidet instillation. I'm sure they will come around.

[matthews_world]

I'm sure you have grounds for the use of your bidet.

The OP has a ligitimate concern as well no matter how fickle it sounds.

[nicwr2002]

Would you be willing to spend 500,000 to 1,000,000 won on an air con for two months? Since you are leaving soon, I'm sure you wouldn't want to spend that much money either just for 2 months.

[Weigookin74]

I think this translates into portable air cons.

소형 에어컨

http://search.naver.com/search.naver?sm=tab_hty.top&where=nexearch&ie=utf8&query=%EC%86%8C%ED%98%95+%EC%97%90%EC%96%B4%EC%BB%A8

This one looks pretty cool. Take it with you camping too. (Given how hot and humid it is here. Must use low rechargeable energy, I guess?)

http://www.11st.co.kr/product/SellerProductDetail.tmall?method=getSellerProductDetail&prdNo=1274939446&NaPm=ct=ib68dmfc|ci=83522da7dacfe84162a6cfb8076ebcf407daee07|tr=sl|sn=17703|hk=19d705af13ee3d5d55a3fd5906ea5f14bbad55c4