Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

So ... I was under the impression that my housing costs are footed by my school. I found out yesterday that I need to change my apartment. I am not happy about moving, but then I was told that I need to pay 360,000 won for various utilities fees and cleaning costs. These are not costs from my current apartment but fees for my new apartment.

Is that right? When I first came to Korea I didn't pay any fees. Why am I being asked to now? Is there anything I can do?

[chachee99]

That sounds like crap! Why are you paying fees for the new apartment when you haven't even lived there yet? Also, have you seen the new apartment? Make sure your directoer isn't downgrading your accomodations.

I'm sorry to hear about you having to move. Moving sucks. Maybe you can get lucky and get a paid day off work as compensation.

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

I have seen the new place and it's about the same as the last. I forgot to look for washer facilities, but it's close enough to my old place that I could sneak back with my laundry -- at night -- if I had to.

And ... I have to move tomorrow! So while other people get a holiday, I have to pack up all of my things and get out.

I don't even know how to transfer my Internet service or notify the post office.

I agree, it's crap. But can I refuse to pay? It wasn't my choice to move!

The school's bus drivers will be here tomorrow to help me move. They don't speak English, but they will be expecting me to cough up that 360,000 won.

[wylies99]

Chances are the hogwan will take the money out of your next pay. You may have to fight this at Labor.

I had a forced move at my first hogwan and it was ugly, too. They did it while we were working and I had a bunch of stuff turn up missing- including clothes!, food, and even luggage.
Luckily, I had saved all of my Lottemart receipts and I made copies, and presented a letter to the owner demanding compensation for all missing items. Amazingly, EVERYTHING was returned the next day.

[Vancouver]

ok...i'm glad i'll be living with my aunt if i ever teach in korea...

[yingwenlaoshi]

[ChopChaeJoe]

Yell as loud as you can.

[dam_on]

DO NOT PAY THAT MONEY.... I REPEAT, DO NOT..

[Fresh Prince]

Those fees don't sound like they are your responsibility. Have you talked to your director about them?

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

I considered offering to pay half, but I guess it's not my responsibility. Thanks for the support.

I'll look into contacting the labor board. I know a Korean fellow, he might help me.

[bixlerscott]

I moved last Sunday to a better apartment due to mold and no heat. I was told to stay home all day last Saturday and wait for the director to call to verify if I was moving on Sunday. Director finally called early Sunday morning to tell me the bus drivers would be there in the morning or afternoon and I asked which it would be and she said 5pm. They came at 3pm which I was happy about as I was more than ready to make the move as I had stayed home all weekend and I helped them load and unload it. I attempted to clean the old place, but the bus drivers stopped me from doing so. Hopefully their not going to take money out of my pay for not sweeping and moping. I was not told about any charges resulting from the move, guess I will find out on pay day next Monday. I would be outraged to get shorted like you did.

I do not have any reason to suspect anything foul, but I was displeased with having my weekend ruined while a couple co-teachers are given free paid school days off while I teach every school day, even when I was sick with flu. Hopefully I got mine coming too since I do not use my sick days and work sick anyhow. I would be outraged if they screw with my pay at this point in it. If they screw with pay, it means they may not personally like you or want you around any longer. This I always worry about during my first 2 months so far, becuase my director and vice-director seem cold, cut, dry, and unfriendly with the vice often hard to talk to. I feel very uncomfortable on the job on account this, but they seem fair in hours, pay, and benefits; so I just keep doing my job as long as it's fair and legit.

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

I think that they like me, but I have so little interaction with the management that i don't know. Enrollment hasn't dropped, I think it's even up.

I think maybe they just want to save a few bucks at my expense. What I'm worried about is that if I refuse they won't let me move in, yet I won't have a home to move back to anymore either. I'll just be stuck in some parking lot in a foreign country, surrounded by all of my junk, crying for the first time in ten years.

[yingwenlaoshi]

If you can't stand up for yourself then maybe you should just go ahead and pay it.

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

[wylies99]

Fight it. IF they take it out of your next pay, then go to Labor.