Job Discussion Forums

CMcC · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2 Location: New Zealand

Hi,

I taught in Japan for years and was never asked for details of my health history. Now, when I get a job in China, I am being asked to submit to an intrusive examination and set of questions.

Can anyone tell me in which countries this kind of thing is normal? I don't particularly want some secretary of a school knowing my details.

Anyone else had this kind of request?

CMcC

Mrguay84 · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 125

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 4:35 pm Post subject:

Refuse any examination that involves a plastic glove going beyond the elbow!

NCTBA

CMcC · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2 Location: New Zealand

It's a job in a university. 4,000 renminbi a month, free apartment, phone, electricity and return flights. The benefits are good, but the salary low. The teaching hours are low, but they can't tell me how many days a week I work - so it could be six, or even seven. Plus, there are only ten paid months a year - the others are unpaid holidays. Good for traveling, but bad for saving.

For such a low salary I feel it's a bit rich (excuse the pun) of them to expect me to tell them my medical history. There's nothing in it that will keep me out of the job, but I have no faith they will respect my privacy.

CMcC

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

China is less invasive than Korea and I've heard that Taiwan is pretty hard core and asks for a couple of samples as well.

Yes, it is an intrusion of privacy, but if you want to teach there, you have to go through it. Be aware of misdiagnosis. My uni thought I had kidney failure and I had to retake the exams. They wouldn't believe my reasons Laughing

In China, all I had was
xray
sonogram to make sure I hadn't donated organs. They do this to the guys too, so they're not checking for pregnancy
blood tests
vision
heigh
weight
blood pressure

It's not that bad, and the school pays. Consider it a free phsycial that would run you a couple thousand bucks back home.

Mrguay84 · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 125

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Chest x-rays are very common. They're checking to make sure you don't have tuberculosis.

powerrose · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Shenzhen, China

I always thought the medical check was mandatory with getting a visa in China (work/spousal visa, that is).

Dude, when I worked in Japan, our whole office had to go next door one day for mandatory medical check day. Its just a bit of groping and peeing in a cup. If you're worried about exposure from an xray, its best not to come to China. You're going to be exposed to much worse than an xray........

There have been a couple good threads by people with semi-serious health conditions who wanted to teach abroad. You can also ask on country-specific boards. Good luck!