Korean Job Discussion Forums

[poeticjustice]

I haven't used a sick day since I've been in Korea, both because I haven't had to and because I'm scared of getting fired for taking one.

Anyway, last week I was really, really sick for a few days. I still came into work and taught, but I was really sick. The flu I had changed into a sore throat, and the following couple of days I had to cancel all my classes because I couldn't talk. I had lost my voice and could only speak softly, so I asked to have my classes cancelled (though I still came to school).

I feel really guilty about it. I think I pissed my co-workers off. I did go into all of these classes for 2 minutes and made a quick apology about it, explaining why I couldn't teach them (which was difficult as my throat was very sore).

I'm a little bit worried about my reputation here. I declined to teach classes while I was in the building. Do you think everyone will stop respecting me?

[lifeinkorea]

If you have worked 3 months or so, then you should have a relationship with your co-teacher and any other teachers you interact with where "favors" are given.

When you are healthy, you give favors (think of it like a video game). For example, my co-teacher has been sick a few times (drinking too much the night before) so I had to teach a couple 1st and 2nd grade classes alone and this gave me some (oops, principal just walked in ).

Ok, where was I. This gave me some points with my co-teacher. He also wanted time off to be with his girlfriend who is in the hospital. This gave me more points. 2 weeks ago, I was in the exact same situation as you. I couldn't talk. In fact, another school came and the principal was there to witness all of it. However, there was nothing I could do and my co-teacher did most of the talking while I focused more on writing.

The main thing they want to see is that you are there. If you aren't passing out and just feel like crap, then go to school. You can take small breaks that you normally wouldn't and it won't be noticed as much as taking the day off.

[bobbybigfoot]

[Tokki1]

I get 15 a year and use them all.

I'd consider it to be a waste to not take them.

[gregoriomills]

[Tokki1]

It's written into ps contracts that you don't need a reason to miss a day so long as you call in.

This changes if you miss 7 days consecutively. So who cares?

[bogey666]

[fromtheuk]

I recently got genuinely sick. I took 2 days off, and my VP got angry, called the education board and my new school.

He was ignorant about the contract. I took 2 days for the first time in almost 2 years.

I agree with bogey's sentiment, but I honestly feel as though tokki's attitude is understandable. I feel like I want to take all of my sick days, but I am now not going to, because I want my next job to start smoothly.

[Xuanzang]

Be careful. Favors and points can be easily forgotten here. Sounds like lifeinkorea has an honorable co-teacher. Some of mine are selfish and just keep taking more and more. I did take up the reins when they were sick but they left me alone when I had a sore throat or sinus infection.

[lifeinkorea]

Yes, I do have a good co-teacher. If you don't, you need to find a way to shove generosity in their face.

Do simple stuff like lining up your students and take them to their classroom. Be visible in front of whomever you are trying to win points with and help students. You can do simple things like stare at students playing and intentionally ignore the principal or another teacher.

Then act surprised that they are there when you get close to them. They will think you are "very concerned" about the students and this will look better on you. Don't just walk from the bus or station to your classroom. Make rounds at your school, be seen. If a student loses something, give them 5-10 minutes to quickly look for it at the school.

When you can, walk with your co-teacher near the entrance when parents come to pick up students. The co-teacher will be under pressure to make a good impression. You can get away with ignoring the parents and children, but if you don't the parents will see this and it will come back on you.

Silly stuff like that can make all the difference.

[Tokki1]

[Goku]

Sick days are meant for serious illness.

Like you cannot move, your head spins, anything that would render you incapable of teaching. A cough, a sniffle, a slight fever,
you still come in.

But it seems like you understand already given by the way your actions dictated it. I say, for the most part you handled it quite well.

I don't think they lost respect, rather they are irked with the extra workload. Not many people like idea of picking up slack so they are probably irrate at the situation. But give it time, they will probably forgive you.

One possible way you could have done it was to give a "silent class". Passed out worksheets so you don't have to focus on lecutring or speaking. That way you could still be working without actually doing any work. It's ok. Normal teachers give their students study time so it's perfectly acceptable too.

It's quite ironic because before I read this post I just talked to a teacher about her voice. She can barely speak so I felt bad and asked her how she managed to do her classes. She gave out silent assignments and just checked them.

Just a trump card you can hold if the situation presents itself again.
Don't worry about the respect. This situation, although unusual for a K-teacher, is easily forgotten.

If you want to "regain" respect you could always show your grattitude to the teachers by buying some fruits and sharing it with them.

[The Gipkik]

PS schools here are so self-contained and idiosyncratic. It depends what kind of relationship you have with your co-teachers, VP and P, even the other teachers you see throughout the school. It's all about your relationships! My co-teacher asked me if I wanted a day off rather than just sit and warm my seat last week. This was completely of her own volition. She gave an excuse to the VP about my being sick. I actually was, but from a hangover as a direct result of going out with the teachers, VP and P. That said, if I had been actually teaching that day, I wouldn't take a sick day off unless I was bedridden.

[The Gipkik]

PS schools here are so self-contained and idiosyncratic. It depends what kind of relationship you have with your co-teachers, VPand P, even the other teachers you see throughout the school. It's all about your relationships! My co-teacher asked me if I wanted a day off rather than just sit and warm my seat last week. She gave an excuse to the VP about my being sick. I actually was, but from a hangover as a direct result of going out with the teachers, VP and P. That said, if I had been actually teaching that day, I wouldn't take a sick day unless I was bedridden.

[Tokki1]