Korean Job Discussion Forums

[driftingfocus]

I work in a public school and I ended up not going to teach this morning. I had woken up feeling a little under the weather yesterday, and by the time I went to bed last night, my entire body ached, and I in fact probably didn't sleep for more than about 20 minutes all night, because painkillers did nothing. I also ended up throwing up twice at night, despite only eating little for dinner. My throat also hurts, though just to swallow, no coughing or anything. So, I think I may have some sort of flu, which is concerning, because that can take awhile to get over.

I knew when I went to bed that I probably was only going to feel worse in the morning (which was true, it hurt not only to move, but to not move), so I knew I probably wasn't going to be going to work in the morning. So, I set my alarm for 6:30am and called my co-teacher for the school I was supposed to work at today (I teach at 7 schools) at that time, as she was to meet me at the bus terminal at 7am. She said that it was fine, and hoped I felt better. At 8, I called my supervisor, and told her the situation. She said that she would come over at noon to take me to the doctor, so I went back to laying around in bed, trying to sleep. Well, it's 7pm and she just now called me to ask if I had gone to the doctor. >.< I said that no, I hadn't, because I don't know where it is, and I wouldn't be able to communicate with them anyway, as there aren't really any English-speaking doctors in this rural town. I'm hoping I feel better by tomorrow, though I'm not sure how likely that is.

I'm not quite sure what I'm asking for, but do you have any advice? Also, if I feel like this again tomorrow, do you think that it would be reasonable to ask for a second sick day? (for what it's worth, my contract says I get 15)

[Ramen]

You have my permission to take additional sick days if you don't feel well tomorrow.

Some PSs are known for bitching and moaning when sick days are taken but who cares..... Let them bitch and moan.

[driftingfocus]

[Stormy]

[ttompatz]

Take your sick days. Up to 5 or 7 (depending on your contract) without need for a doctors note.

If they don't like it, too bad.

If your co-teacher gets upset.... they can learn English and replace you.

1 teacher rotating to 7 schools.... they are not going to find a replacement any time soon.

.

[Zaria32]

OP Just about all Korean doctors speak/understand a fair amount of English because a lot of their schooling was in English.

[KYC]

I'm the type of person who feels guilty about taking sick days too. I don't take them unless I have something really important to do or I'm literally lying on my death bed.

Take them if you need them. I'm also in a small town...very very small. I teach in a public school with only 70 students. No one speaks English but people are very accomodating for the most part. I have never been treated with extreme disrespect or anything. Go to the local hospital. Look for the building with the green cross.

[DongtanTony]

[driftingfocus]

Update:

Around 8pm, my co-teacher called to ask if my supervisor had taken me to the hospital. Nope, I said. So, she came over and took me, thankfully. I was given a shot in the butt that made some of the aching go away, but it's still mostly there. I was also given like, 5 pills to take every 6 hours. I've only taken one dose, so we'll see how that goes, but for now, I feel little different. My throat still hurts like *beep*, and while I can talk, talking involves swallowing, which is what really hurts.

My co-teacher said I looked really ill, and the doctor seemed to be saying I was pretty sick. So, they at least know I'm not faking. I think I may take a second day tomorrow unless my throat is miraculously better, which I doubt.

[Bigfeet]

Get well soon bud, you're obviously a hard and conscientious worker and every single one of those SEVEN schools should be glad to have you!

[driftingfocus]

[driftingfocus]