Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mr_scarlett]

Today my director asked me and my the other foreign teachers to take medical examinations to check for diseases and whatever else. Was wondering if anyone else has been asked to do this or if it is even common practice in Hagwons.

[Bibbitybop]

Common. Also, if you don't want med info shared with him/her, go to a doctor of YOUR choice. If you are outside of Seoul, go to another city if you want medical privacy.

[poet13]

I got a 'full physical' last year to get my public school job.
It was ridiculously simple.

Teeth...."How are you teeth?" "fine". Tick.
"Are you crazy?" "No." Tick.
"Do you have good bowel movements?" "Superb thank you." Tick.
"Are you addicted to anything?" "Tobacco" Tick.

It cost me about 28000 won all in. The trick though, is to make them understand what you want. Don't get your hakwon to write you a note though. It will likely include something that say, call us with the patients personal information. Get a friend to do it.

[jmbran11]

When we start work, we get a full physical, including blood and urine tests, heart tests, vision, hearing, etc. The results are sent directly to our employer and we must do this at the hospital they designate. The only good part is that we don't have to pay anything for it.

However, I don't work at a hogwan, and I think that sounds overly-invasive for the needs of the job. Is there anything in your contract about your job being conditioned on passing a medical evaluation? Do you know the purpose? (E.g. foreigners are taking excessive sick days, your employer wants a drug test done, or some parent read an article that foreigners are contagious). I assume that if your employer is requesting this, he/she is going to insist that he/she receives the results.

Frankly, I don't see the point at all. But, at the very least, you shouldn't have to pay for anything if it's not in your contract. And, if by chance you are worried about testing positive for narcotics use, stall or refuse. You could try explaining that Westerners view medical information as very private and it's a sign of distrust to request it (or something along those lines).

[TheUrbanMyth]

[poet13]

Good point. Is the requirement for a medical listed in your contract? No. Don't do it...

[yingwenlaoshi]

Do a runner. Ha, ha, ha.

[Unposter]

In Korea, businesses are supposed to provide check-ups to their employees every two years. It is free.

As far as I know, you do not have to participate but it can be helpful. They did catch something I had and I was able to get free or near free medical treatment for it because it was caught at this check-up.

For all I know, if you do not take the exam, it may have an effect on your medical insurance (don't know if it does or what) but it should not have any effect between you and your boss.

This law should effect all employees and if the other employees are not participating then there might be something dodgy going on. See if others are involved or not.

[dmbfan]

Hmmm.......I work for a public school and have yet to have a physical.


Actually, I recently came back from Cambodia, for a vacation. It would be a shame if they gave me a surprise urine test tomorrow


Cheers.


dmbfan

[Bibbitybop]

[jaderedux]

[mr_scarlett]

sorry i forgot to say i have been here for 10 months. I guess it is just a routine health check for all employees. The lines of communication in my school are terrible it is almost impossible to get a straight answer from even the foreign teacher supervisor.

Thanks for your help everyone. I think i will make the most of the free health check.

[gsxr750r]

If you have been out of country, returned to your job after taking drugs, and you are tested, do not expect to stay in Korea after you are caught.

In fact, plan on sitting in prison until they figure out when to deport you, and how much they may fine you.

I would say the person above who said not to worry so much if you can show you've been out of country has been given some bad information.

On another note, I don't know what they check with the blood test, but the pee test during the bi-yearly physical was a huge joke. On both occasions when I've taken mine, the restroom was filled vials from people who were merely following directions and leaving their pee sitting in a stand next to the urinal until picked up. Anyone could easily choose any of the vials when nobody was looking, fill theirs up with part of someone else's pee, and nobody could tell. This was a large health testing center. The other place was at a hosptial near Seohyun in Bundang. Both had lots and lots of people there for physicals daily, and both had no security whatsoever.

Utter absolute joke of a test.

[yingwenlaoshi]

[gsxr750r]