Korean Job Discussion Forums

TheEdUpKid · Joined: 18 Jul 2006

Ok, here's the situation. i have a fractured 5th metatarsal bone and i'm at school...working...with only a splint. i'm not given the option of "resting" or going to the hospital (it's suggested i go to the hospital after i'm done with your classes).

i take a lot of crap from this school...and yes, it's a public elementary school through GEPIK. Yesterday night, i called my coteacher that i was going to go the hospital today but she told me to go to school first, talk to the principal and vice principal and then i can go. But no, i come to school and i'm told to teach my classes (not sure if it was by the principal or vice principal, but her).

Is this how it works in Korea? Wow, pretty amazing isn't it. i've been at this school over 3 years and it's not going to change...this Korean thinking.

What do you guys suggest?

storysinger81 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Location: Daegu

seonsengnimble · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

Go to the hospital. Get a copy of the x-ray. You have a co-teacher. He/She can cover your classes.

Korussian · Joined: 15 Sep 2007

How it works in GEPIK is: you have an injury/sickness, you call your school before your classes (ideally the day before) to notify them, you take time to get better, and then you show up at school and tell them why you were away. If you were away for 7 days, you must give them a note. That's all there is to it.

In Korea, it's always (and I mean that literally) better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission. The former is much easier to come by than the latter.

youtuber · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

Call in sick. You have sick days don't you? Ask a doctor's opinion on standing to teach. If he says it's a no go, get him to write a note. Perhaps they will let you sit when you teach or whatever. Or they might give you some time off. Or they might fire you. But take care of yourself first, for chrissake.

TheEdUpKid · Joined: 18 Jul 2006

The thing is, i've been in a cast for over a month and the doctor i was going to said things would get better. it didn't. the bone wasn't healing. Yesterday, they removed the cast and then took and Xray...the bone was still in the same broken state it was in the beginning. My school still made me work...and it was hard work (at least hard work for being in a cast). we don't have elevators at my school, so i was walking up and down three flights of stairs daily.

My coteacher didn't offer me rides home, so i said *beep* it...taxi or bike (if the weather permitted me to). But my coteacher is very busy...more busy to help me. Her work is more important.

Last night i did ask if i could go to the hospital but was told to come to school first. And then i'm told to teach the classes and i guess when my coteacher isn't busy, she'll take me.

My school have seen my X-rays but i was never offered time off. The day after i broke my foot, i came to school and i was told i could take a rest. So i went into my office and they gave me "paper work" to do. A couple of minutes later, my coteacher comes in and says "why aren't you in the class teaching?"

i need to voice my opinions and thoughts, but i know they'll definitely lose face and i don't want conflict. i try to avoid it.

Any suggestions guys?

waynehead · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Location: Jongno

Yes, unless you have some sort of weird contract you don't have to put up with this. Tell them you're not coming in, don't ask, and that's that.

TheEdUpKid · Joined: 18 Jul 2006

it's the same contract as most of us working in a public school through GEPIK.

i've been here 3 years and dealt with all the beureaucracy. i let them walk all over me. i know...i let it happen. but i was fine with it. it's a rewarding job, and i can take it...i'm American. But when i'm physically injured, that's a different story.

Koreans (at least at my school) don't realize that...and it's sad. Empathy Korea...EMPATHY!!!!

Korussian · Joined: 15 Sep 2007

TheEdUpKid · Joined: 18 Jul 2006

honestly, i don't even think it's all that signature stuff. the problem is, if i'm not there, who's going to teach. i have a full time Korean coteacher, but she rarely helps me. i help her with her work and she never offers to help me. i thought it was reciprocal. she's always doing other documents while i'm teaching all the class...even the extra classes i teach where we're splitting the pay. greedy i tell ya'.

no, i've decided to finish off my contract and teach back in the states like my original plan in life was. i just wanted a new experience, and i definitely got it. i know i'm in a different country, but we're all humans. Koreans (at least in my school) can continue their gossiping about each other...i know just about everything that going on behind all the walls...And, if i snap, they'll all lose face.