Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

So today I called in sick at my GEPIK school. Actually I called in sick yesterday too. I had swollen tonsils and I do get them often. I really couldn't talk for more than several seconds at a time, let alone yell which is a constant requirement in my classes. So yesterday when I called in, I told her how my throat is hurting and her response was "So what?" (yes, literally). I told her "well I have to stay home and rest." So that was that, so I thought.

I called in this morning again (actually, no, I text messaged) because I wasn't feeling any better and her response was "Well that's too bad, but Korean teachers come to work sick all the time. Teaching is a commitment to the students"

I was absolutely livid and I called her right away. She then goes on to say how the Korean teachers have to show up first when they're sick and get the VP's approval before they can go home. Then she goes on to demand that I show up to work! Inhumane and disgusting. So I told her that I can't, that I need to stay home, and she tries to pass the blame on her superiors (the English department heads) and how she just can't possibly convince them of my situation. So I decided to hang up the phone and promptly call the department head teacher and I tell her the exact same thing, and what's the answer I get? "Get well soon!"

Tomorrow morning is going to be a real interesting morning.

[Bibbitybop]

1. Hold up your contract.
2. Point at the sick day clause.
3. Remind her that your contract is different from Korean teachers'.
4. Remind her that you are not Korean.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Unfortunately, these dorks react illogically and they give you the ends. Nothing what you say is taken into consideration and they just yell back that you must come in. Whatever that does for anyone. Then if you have to go on a visa run and miss a day of classes so that you can actually teach for a whole year at their school, they tell the students that you're sick. Bunch of illogical liars.

You could be in a situation where you're being cheated out of your pay and decide to not show up until the situation is taken care of only to have an idiot co-teacher yell at you when you do come in, telling you that you must think about the children and apologize to everyone.

When your tonils swell up again next time, go to the doctor and get a note, go to work and give administration a doctor's note, by-passing the co-teacher.

Oh, and what the above poster said...

[Bibbitybop]

[yingwenlaoshi]

[schwa]

Probably not the response you want, but your co-teacher has a point that she cant convince the other teachers that your word about a sore throat is a valid excuse for absence.

You are, presumably, still mobile, so you could at least show up & make your claim to be excused from classes in person. That would be normal here. If you have a good relationship with your colleagues they would be accommodating.

"Let alone yell which is a constant requirement in classes" -- thats worrisome.

[Bibbitybop]

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

[Snowkr]

I'm with the co-teacher on this one. Missing one day over a sore throat is probably enough to be questionable (to K-teachers) but texting a second day and telling them you're not coming in... not good.

I know it totally sucks having to drag yourself to work when you're sick but Koreans do it all the time and so do people in my country as well, for that matter.

Unless we're dangerously contagious or practically on our death beds here, we are expected to go to work if for no other reason but to simply show up!

When in Rome...

[wings]

[Zulethe]

You guys and your "contracts." The sooner you learn the "Korean" way, the sooner your life will run much easier in Korea.

My contract states 14 vacations days a year. This past winter I got 30 and this summer I'll probably get thirty more. Did I pull out my contract and demand that I only take 14 days? Of course not.

You show up to work sick no matter what unless it's a very serious problem that requires medical attention.

If I were to ever get really sick, I'd go straight to the hospital, ask for the doctor's opinion and either stay home upon his advice or go to work.

It's very simple, if you can't talk, go to work, show a movie, and sleep at your desk or wherever else you want. They probably even have a bed somewhere in your school that you could use.

I have used a sick day before and I'm not against them. I just don't think your situation warranted taking time off work. Koreans will bend over backwards for you if you just follow "their" system not your own.

Of course none of you will heed this advice and continue with poor working relationships with your coworkers and unlikely to be asked to renew your contracts.

Good luck with that approach.

Note: I had an open class last week that was a huge success and so 1 minute ago another teacher asked me if I could help him with his. I don't have to but I will because that's the Korean way.

[Zulethe]

^
The above is only in cases where you are treated well. In case of a bad school where they treat you like shite, I'd screw them 7 ways to Sunday and take every bloody sick day in my contract.

I don't consider your coteachers reaction to be considered a bad work environment since your behavior elicited her response.

[oskinny1]

[Unposter]

For whatever it is worth, my wife is a Korean public school teacher and when she is sick, she just calls her supervisor who says get well see you tomorrow and that is the end of it.

If she comes to school and is sick, she just gives the students a study hall period. From what I understand, this is quite common behavior.

They also cover for each other's classes when they are sick and even when they are not sick but have other things to do.

Korean teachers are given up to 90 days paid sick leave a year. This does not include regular vacation days when classes are not being held such as in summer and winter. Technically, school teachers could get somewhere in the area of 5-6 months paid time off a year.

One of the reasons being a school teacher is considered a good job is becuase of this flexibility and understanding.

That said I do think that what Koreans consider to be too sick to work and what many Western people think is too sick to work is different, but there should be enough of a support system to allow you to miss a few days of work when you are sick.

Your co-teacher obviously thinks your slacking and she doesn't want to put forth the effort to teach instead of you. I would say you have some relationship issues to fix as well as your health. Though, obviously, she may be the root of the problem.

[Goku]