Korean Job Discussion Forums

[danseonsaeng]

Guys,

I had a friend get turned down by a recruiter (Footprints) because she's currently taking antidepressants. She was told SMOE doesn't hire folks on this type of medication.

Is this bogus or real or what? Does anyone know if SMOE discriminates against those taking medication for depression? I've just never heard of this sort of thing before.

Let me know, thanks.

- Dan

[livinginkunsan]

I would say it depends on the severity of the drug.

[danseonsaeng]

That's it?

Anyone have anything else to add?

Is there some sort of concrete policy in place?

[livinginkunsan]

[Draz]

[egrog1717]

[jcan]

hmm, I'm not entirely sure of the official policy regarding anti-depressants if there is one...

I work for SMOE now and I put on the application form that I had "mild anxiety" a couple of years ago...they made me submit a doctor's note stating that I was mentally fit to teach. :/ They said it was for liability purposes.

Maybe if someone is currrently taking anti-depressants they say no. If they have in the past, you'll need documentation that you're good to go now. That's how I read it anyway.

[danseonsaeng]

Since there seems to be no official policy, I'll go ahead and have my friend lie next time.

Oh well.

[I'm no Picasso]

Even in Western countries, there is discrimination about mental health in the workplace, although there is (some amount of) protection against it. South Korea is not a Western country. Recruiters are not employers.

My advice to your friend is to keep her mouth shut. It's a privacy issue, in my opinion. The end.

[i_teach_esl]

have your friend lie. all of us have our issues, and so long as you think you can do the job, the meds we take (be it pills, sweets, game addictions, excessive spending, etc) is nobody's business but your own.

http://theblackeslteacher.blogspot.com/2007/04/mental-healthpills.html

[Young FRANKenstein]

[doodle]

When I filled in an application form for my recruiter it was necessary to tick a box to consent to a medical check that could be confirmed by my doctor.
Do you think it would come up if checked that I was prescribed some anti anxiety drugs for a short period of time? Or are the medical checks not quite so detailed?

[TheUrbanMyth]

Your friend should think carefully and clearly about this. Does she have a back-up plan? Will she be able to get a hold of the same medication over here?


Advising someone who is suffering from depression to come on over is IMHO irresponsible and dangerous advice as the person will be removed from any familar support/medical systems.

I would advise your friend to sort out her problem first. Korea can be harsh on some people. That's enough to deal with.

[browneyedgirl]

If she is mildly depressed, just lie. Get the meds in Seoul from a psychiatrist and not a doctor. [/quote]

[smaulik]

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