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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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Gord

Joined: 25 Feb 2003
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 2:36 am Post subject: |
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justagirl wrote: |
Are you including ALL utilities in the 150,000? ALL our utilities come to about 120,000, but our electricity is around 20-30,000. |
Yes, all utilities. Normally my electricity is around 30,000. The difference was that my gas usage went from zero to far from zero, and pretty much accounted for 100% of the increase in my monthly utility bill.
As I cited earlier, electric heaters are quite expensive to run as a primary source of heat 24/7 in a Korean apartments that isn't really well insulated. A single 1500 Watt heater running 24/7 will chew up more than 100,000 Won by the end of the month.
Last edited by Gord on Fri Feb 13, 2004 2:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 2:51 am Post subject: |
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Ok, all apologies for labelling women as more likely to rack up high bills and expect the nearest man to foot the bill.. an unfustified generalisation. Sorry. I'm in a better mood now. |
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rawiri

Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Location: Lovely day for a fire drill.
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 2:59 am Post subject: |
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jugger- i know she doesnt have a degree because when i asked her where she went to university, she couldnt even tell me, it was like huh? this fully blank expression. then she was talking about getting her 20 year old daughter over here to teach ( not a bad thing by any means) and i was like, has she finished college already?, once again huh?, its not her fault by any means, its hers bosses fault for telling the recruiter to sort out anyone they can possibly get. i know a few cats over here without degrees and as far as im concerned, sweet as, its not really a job where it should be essential i feel (hagwons anyway), but its just a bummer that i got stuck with this one that really seems kinda naieve about things.
i know im not giving her the chance of rebuttal, but honestly she was like, im not paying any more than what i usually pay, she has been here for a few months, and by far december was the coldest, and the heaters we had were fully power hogs, so its just common sense that this is the reason for the bill, but hey what do i know huh?.
btw i'm not going to narc on her, that would be a real scummy thing to do, as i said, i have no problems with folk coming over here without degrees, its just the ones without brains/common sense/sense of fairness i resent.
sparx- yeah i capitulated, but talking to her and trying to explain this s h i t was starting to feel like i was banging my head against the wall. it was obvious she had made up her mind and that was that, im telling ya man shes a piece of work alright. as far as mediation between our 2 bosses is concerned, no go, theyve told me in no uncertain terms, the bill is yours, you two have to come up with some kind of arrangement to pay it, i wouldnt be bending over and getting shafted like this if it wasnt for the fact that my boss is witholding my pay till its sorted out, nothing dodgy, its just that he takes out my expenses from my pay each month, in fact when i told him my share he had a really sympathetic look and kinda shaked his head a bit so wtf i just want to get this whole thing done with really. |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:26 am Post subject: |
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I have a problem with people teaching without degrees. they devalue our trade. don't know about anyone else, but I try hard to do an excellent job. i don't like the idea that just anybody can come over here en masse and start "teaching".
Rawiri: you're way too nice, because this scenario is hurting your pocket and she's laughing behind your back... She has to pay her fair share, i'm sorry. There must be no compromise there.
Try and explain the situation further. If she still wants to hang onto her precious money, tell her you will indeed bust her for having no degree. Be a man about it for pity's sake.
Good luck. |
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Holyjoe

Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: Away for a cuppa
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:07 am Post subject: |
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katydid wrote: |
FUBAR has the best idea yet. Get your boss to pay her part of the bill out of her salary if she won't readily do it herself. |
Isn't that stealing?
Unless it's specifically mentioned in the contract that bills will be deducted from the total salary then the boss would be unable to deduct any money. The girl's refusal to pay the heating bill is unrelated to her right to be paid for work done. |
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Mr. Pink

Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:14 am Post subject: |
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rawiri wrote: |
jugger- i know she doesnt have a degree because when i asked her where she went to university, she couldnt even tell me, it was like huh? this fully blank expression. then she was talking about getting her 20 year old daughter over here to teach ( not a bad thing by any means) and i was like, has she finished college already?, once again huh?, its not her fault by any means, its hers bosses fault for telling the recruiter to sort out anyone they can possibly get. i know a few cats over here without degrees and as far as im concerned, sweet as, its not really a job where it should be essential i feel (hagwons anyway), but its just a bummer that i got stuck with this one that really seems kinda naieve about things.
i know im not giving her the chance of rebuttal, but honestly she was like, im not paying any more than what i usually pay, she has been here for a few months, and by far december was the coldest, and the heaters we had were fully power hogs, so its just common sense that this is the reason for the bill, but hey what do i know huh?.
btw i'm not going to narc on her, that would be a real scummy thing to do, as i said, i have no problems with folk coming over here without degrees, its just the ones without brains/common sense/sense of fairness i resent.
sparx- yeah i capitulated, but talking to her and trying to explain this s h i t was starting to feel like i was banging my head against the wall. it was obvious she had made up her mind and that was that, im telling ya man shes a piece of work alright. as far as mediation between our 2 bosses is concerned, no go, theyve told me in no uncertain terms, the bill is yours, you two have to come up with some kind of arrangement to pay it, i wouldnt be bending over and getting shafted like this if it wasnt for the fact that my boss is witholding my pay till its sorted out, nothing dodgy, its just that he takes out my expenses from my pay each month, in fact when i told him my share he had a really sympathetic look and kinda shaked his head a bit so wtf i just want to get this whole thing done with really. |
Why post if all you are going to do is NOTHING?
Seriously... |
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katydid

Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:14 am Post subject: |
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Stealing if he takes the money to go to Guam, but I wouldn't think it was stealing if the money is used to pay back a bill that is way past due, and it is not stealing if the director pulls the woman aside and says to her these bills need to be taken care of, and I have been told you have not been putting in your share, so I need to take out x amount. If the bills aren't paid, the director's credit could be hurt, and the teacher's utilities could be shut off until it is all paid in full. Also, if Rawiri or the other teacher leaves before this is resolved, then the new teacher will be most likely be stuck with the overdue bill. That's no way to say Welcome to Korea. |
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justagirl

Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:20 am Post subject: |
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That's a good idea. Don't pay it at all, let the electricity be shut off and then the other person who's responsible for half of the bills will HAVE to pay for her half.
I think you can go back on your word to pay all but 60,000 of the bill.--and your boss has NO right to hold your paycheck until the bills are paid.
justa |
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Holyjoe

Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: Away for a cuppa
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:21 am Post subject: |
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katydid wrote: |
Stealing if he takes the money to go to Guam, but I wouldn't think it was stealing if the money is used to pay back a bill that is way past due, and it is not stealing if the director pulls the woman aside and says to her these bills need to be taken care of, and I have been told you have not been putting in your share, so I need to take out x amount. If the bills aren't paid, the director's credit could be hurt, and the teacher's utilities could be shut off until it is all paid in full. Also, if Rawiri or the other teacher leaves before this is resolved, then the new teacher will be most likely be stuck with the overdue bill. That's no way to say Welcome to Korea. |
It depends on the wording of the contract of course, but if there is no provision for "expenses" to be deducted in the event of non-payment of bills relating to the housing provided then I don't think the director can deduct any money to pay the bills without express agreement from the employee - he is bound by the contract to pay the full sum to the employee despite the outstanding debt (unrelated to her actual work).
He could pursue legal action if he wanted to reclaim the money for the bill. |
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Gord

Joined: 25 Feb 2003
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:58 am Post subject: |
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Holyjoe wrote: |
It depends on the wording of the contract of course, but if there is no provision for "expenses" to be deducted in the event of non-payment of bills relating to the housing provided then I don't think the director can deduct any money to pay the bills without express agreement from the employee - he is bound by the contract to pay the full sum to the employee despite the outstanding debt (unrelated to her actual work).
He could pursue legal action if he wanted to reclaim the money for the bill. |
Every contract I've seen generally says "the rent is free, but the teacher has to pay the utilities". From a strictly legal standpoint, once the teacher says "I'm not going to pay the bills", the contract has been violated thus the employer is no longer bound to the contract. |
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J.B. Clamence

Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:04 am Post subject: |
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If she can refuse to pay, then why can't you do the same? |
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rawiri

Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Location: Lovely day for a fire drill.
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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mr pink- because it fucks me off and ive found that this place can be a good avenue to let off a little steam, ok?, good!.
anyway thanx for the advice and sympathetic ear all, im chalking this up to experience i guess.
gamsa hamnida, annyonghi gasyeo |
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Maas
Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Location: T -Dizo - CND
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 2:12 am Post subject: |
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Buddy, pay your half and get your boss to deduct her half off her pay. It sounds like she's nothing more but a dimwitted *beep* up... so it really doesn't matter when they take it off her pay cause she'll neva figure it out!
Cheers, |
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Alex Buffa
Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: South Korea
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 5:34 am Post subject: |
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Very strange....
I use 2 computers on 24/7, electric blanket and all the nice electronice and my monthly bill is ~38,000 - 40,000 a month
gas has been high... spent 52,125 on heating and showers each month this winter...in summer gas is around 5,000 won.
I don't get it why people who live in poor housing with bad insulation get screwed with high energy bills, and those of us who live in better housing save a fortune each year in energy bills.
Electric bill prices go up dramatically per kWh as you use it. So your 350th hour is probably 2x the price of your first...it's on your electric bill.
Your roomie is probably sleeping with the heater on all night....sucking up the juice and you're paying a very large price.
At night..put an electric blanket on top of your matress and sleep warmly..but if your apartment is frozen in the morning..you're housing is not acceptable and should be replaced. If you can..get your own since you will pay it anyways.
Your roommate is a freeloader and push the issue...your next electricity bill is coming..and it's not going go be much smaller.
Even better...NEVER have roommate..they are always a problem. |
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sadsac
Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang
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Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:48 am Post subject: |
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Pay your half and tell her that the boss is deducting her payment from her salary. It's no good stressing over her inability to be a rational person. Look after yourself and your share of the bills. It sucks that your boss is putting all the pressure on you regarding payment.  |
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