Gender Neutrality and Equality - Yay Right, not here!

There are rumors that ALL individuals that work for this company and live in company housing will be moved to a standard size apartment.  YAY!  If I was staying I would have finally been moved to an appropriate sized apartment for a professional.  (Some members of staff are a bit upset as they see it as a downgrade.)

When I was chatting the the manager in charge of the school I said this is a positive development for those of us in the "ghetto" apartments.

The manager paled, looked uncomfortable and told me that those of us in the "ghetto" will stay in the "ghetto" as that is all we are entitled to because of our martial status.

I replied to the gentle man well, how come, if we have to be in the "ghetto" we don't all get moved to the "ghetto 2"?  The "ghetto2" is also slated for this particular marital status and there is currently a member of staff, with the same marital status as those of us in "the ghetto", living there AND said member has had the "ghetto 2" written in to their contract.

Well, it seems that the "ghetto 2" is more expensive as it has no washing machines and there is an included housekeeping service.  Females PREFER to do their own laundry and housework that is why the females are in the "ghetto", not "ghetto 2".

I told the gentleman that I was NEVER asked what I preferred.

He looked further pained and made an excuse to leave.

Just a bit of Gender discrimination going on.

In the same vein, a single female teacher who is also a local national has a 3 bedroom family sized apartment.  I was told this is because she has children.  To which I replied, yes GROWN children who do not live with her. Again, that pained express of "oh, oh I have been caught in my own deception, best pretend I don't understand what is being said to me."

disbelief

So as most of you know I am off on a new adventure this summer.  I plan on leaving directly from Korea as it will be easier with cats, luggage and books etc.  AND under my current contract I have my apartment until the end of my contract which is the end of August.  Sound plan.

2 weeks ago I  was in the school office and the school secretary blurted out, "When are you leaving?"

I was understandably taken aback.  I replied, " At the moment I don't have firm dates for travel/visa but I think it will be around mid August.  Say the 15th or 18th."

"Oh, that won't work.  The new teacher coming in is to get your apartment and she wants to come mid August, around the 15th and we need a week for the cleaners between the two of you."

"Well, I can't leave any sooner than I have my dates.  When I know the dates, I will let you know."  I turn to leave, stop at the door and sweetly say, " The cats and I will GLADLY move to a bigger apartment now if that will be of any help."

I received a blank, I am in pain grin in reply.

This week I was in the office picking up some supplies for the class and the self same secretary says,"Have you got your flights yet?"

I am less taken aback this time.  I smile sweetly and say, "The dates have still not been confirmed." I take a few items out of the supply cabinet and turn back to the secretary and ask, very politely, "Have you found out how much I will be given for my flight?  I can't book a ticket until I know how much, as per my contract, I will be given."

The secretary seemed to be put on the back foot by this.  She hastily said, " I haven't looked yet, I am busy."

And so the latest round in the "Bum's rush shuffle" ends.  Stay tuned for more - you know there will be more.

May 2

Well,

Today was my birthday.  All in all an enjoyable day.  A half day of contact time at work, and afternoon of easy, if time consuming, paperwork, pizza for dinner, and a bit of web surfing.

I decided that in honour of my B-day and because I worked my backside off yesterday (labour day holiday) on intellectual work I am in the middle of I would have a 'non-academic work' evening.  Caught up on some emails, checked all the discussion boards for my studies, and updating my blog.

Waiting on my visa and apartment information for my new job.  My current job seems to be 'rushing me out the door' or at least that is how it felt today when I was asked when I would be vacating my apartment.  My contract runs to the end of August and I had planned on moving sometime in mid August.  Seems my replacement wants to move in mid August and as there needs to be a 'semi professional clean' done between occupants it is looking like there many be a bit of a conflict.  I did offer to move to better accommodations for the last few months of my contract  - if it would be helpful.    My offer was greeted with a blank, empty grin that sort of said " Yay, right, ain't gonna happen."