Who needs to take responsibility for this?

Question

I work at a Korean Elementary School and the school provided me with housing. I live in a "shatek". A week ago I went on vacation in Busan and gave the school's administation office the numbers of people I would visit there as well as the number of the hotel I would stay at in any case of emergency. Then the area I stay in had a power failure. I came back to a stinking home, because the fridge was off and I lost all my frozen veggies and meats. The TV also didn't survive the power failure. The "shatek" is very old and needs a lot of work, but the school doesn't want to take any responsibility for fixing it up. The only thing they did was put on new wallpaper. The water leakages and the lack of an aircon are driving me nuts! Should the administration office pay for my losses and any work done (and paid) by myself on the place?

Answer 1

There is an age old rule that I invented and follow because of the truth in it.

It is this.

Whoever PAYS for something is the decision maker, in nearly all circumstances of life. If we have the government pay for our health care...they are the ones who decide what we get. If we pay ourselves, then we do.

If the government pays for education...they decide who gets taught what.

If my mother lets me move into her house so I can save money. She is the rule maker and I abide by them.

If a company buys a car for me to use during work and at home, they say what car and color.

So, you employer gives you shelter. That's great...but they decide what shelter it is and how it is repaired.

That's what you are faced with when someone else pays for something you use or have.

Keep this rule in your head and you'll be less disappointed about people letting you down in the future!

You are welcome.

Answer 2

That they didn't contact you in 'the emergency' is putting them in the wrong shoes. However, I know you have been here long enough to know that they are very unlikely to take any responsibility.

Ask them to put you in a new place. I hope the furnishings were not yours... as for the food, that's not really their responsibility.
I haven't experienced a power cut in Korea. I thought all that nuclear power prevented things like that?

I once had a conversation with a kid about who takes responsibility when something happens. We were talking about motor vehicle accidents, she said the LOUDEST person will always win, no matter whose fault it is.
So get yourself some ear plugs and excercise your vocal chords.
I know your Koreans good enough to put up a fair fight. As long as their aren't any ajumma around, you might get a fair deal.

Im not entirely sure, but Im guessing that the 'law' doesn't really cover much at the end of the day, unless insurance has been paid, then just claim that and a bit more for the inconvenience.

Ask them how they would feel if their kids had to live in a stinking mold pit. The humidity at the moment isn't gonna make things much nicer... and NO AIRCONDITIONER????? That's inhuman. Even prisoners get better treatment than that!!!

Ok, ok, to answer the question... Yeah, they should have to pay for any fixing up, and should put you up with other accomodation while renovations and repairs are being done. Is this actually going to happen this way? I wish you luck... it depends on the mood of the moment, right?

Answer 3

Ok, as for the losses in the apartement due to the power outage, no one is really responsible for that, because even if they had contacted you about it, in all likelihood it all would have been destroyed anyways. If the TV is yours, sorry to hear about that, if it is the schools, ask them to replace it. As for the repairs. I have lived here for 2 years and it was a battle to get anything done in my old apartment, and it was a new building. I had black mold growing up my walls every winter and the answer was, "replace the wallpaper". My new school is awesome, if you need it, they get it, or help you find it. It all depends on the school, but for the most part they aren't going to do anything, and the landlords really don't see much as being their responsibilty until they want to get a new tenant. The fact that they don't want to take any responsibility for fising it up in the first place should be an indication that if you spend money on work on the apartment they are not going to pay for it.

Answer 4

The good news is you are right - the school is wrong. Having said that, the bad news is you're dealing with people who clearly have no concept of what fair play is, or what 'decent' living conditions are. The fact that they put you in this kind of apartment, and expect you to live there shows to me how little they think you're worth - which is terrible. So, here is the deal - you can either move tell them to go "---- themselves" or you must try to reach some sort of agreement. I doubt the will invest any serious money to fix the place up - continue to state how unpleasant it is where you're staying, and suggest a new place. Of nothing comes of that - threaten to either leave or say you will notify the Teacher's union (don't know if there even is such a thing).Bottom line is, you don't have that many options, and it sucks that you're in this position. I hope you can find a way to expalining to your director the aweful conditions he's imposing upon you - and hopefully they will get it. Good luck, I have a feeling you're gonna need it.

Answer 5

You probably should have insured your personal belongings (tv, fridge, furniture). The school is responsible for the property but not for the things in it (unless they come with the property). The power outage is for the electricity company unless the school has a power aggregate running (but in that case power outage would be highly unlikely) and rather than sue the electricity company you'd better use your money to reinstate your shatek. Though before you take mine or any other advice on here, check things with an impartial lawyer.

Best of luck.

Answer 6

I have endured 3 contracts in Korea. you are fighting a loosing battle. sorry.

If you cause a fuss, it will follow you the rest of your contract. If you are really unhappy about it, find another job.

This isn't much of an answer, but I know how things work... and how they don't.

Answer 7

Talk to a lawyer. They can tell you. It depends on the laws where you are, if they are your landlords or what happened exactly. Details are important and any little detail can change the outcome. As much as I hate lawyers thats who you need to ask.

Answer 8

i don't know much about Korean law. humanitarily speaking though, i think they should pay for everything but the food. they need to be responsible for the safety and functionality of the place if they own it.

Answer 9

Administration should pay. If not give them to a court!!

Answer 10

Well....when you first saw tha shatek, you knew it was old and bad...so if you decided to stay..it also means you were aware of the consequences.