Korean Job Discussion Forums

[drdst122]

Cliff Notes at the Bottom:

I woke up sick this morning and went into work and told them, before work even started that is. My director told me to go to the doctor, which I did.

I was informed I had tonsilitis and was given some medications. I went back to work find everyone was not there but out eating or doing something. I called the director who then told me talk to the Office Manager.

I talk to her and she says I have to work. I explain to her I'm incapable of working and I'm contagious and that I need to go home. I have 5 sick days in my contract and I've only used 1.

She then asked for a doctors note. I handed her what I thought was a doctors note but turns out it was just the prescription papers.

I ask her if I go back and get the doctors note will I be able to go. She says ok and there I go, already ticked off that she would actually make me do that when all she had to do was pick up the phone. So I go back to get a doctors note, and they say ok and put something in an envelope for me and on my way back I go.

I hand her the envelope and she opens it and tells me it's just receipts. At this point I'm ready to lose it. I say I don't speak Korean, I asked for a doctors note, this is what they gave me. Please give them a call.

She calls, they confirm I have tonsilitis and she says I still have to work. I argue with her and try to get it through her head that I'm contagious and incapable of teaching. We argue for a while until finally she just says to go. 10 minutes later, in the cab already on the way back to my house, she says that she is going to take one of my vacation days for this.

A co-worker of mine has confirmed that she already talked to the HQ's and they confirmed it.

What is my best course of action?

Cliff Notes:
-Sick, went to work.
-Told to go to doctor
-Go to doctor, have tonsilitis
-Lots of bickering about having to work
-Told to just go.
-Receive a call on way home that I'm being deducted a vacation day


Thanks for the responses...

gonna go cough up some more cool colors...

[rollo]

She is bluffing trying to bully you into working. Do not sweat this. Get well, take care of yourself. She should be ashamed! You have labor law on your side.

[tanklor1]

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Run at Midnight

[some waygug-in]

Don't sweat it, get well first.

One lesson I learned in the hagwon world, don't get sick.

If you feel sick, go to work anyway, cough up lots of yellowish-greenish phlemm on all who approach.

Drink lots of those Vit C drinky thingys... they do help if you take them regularly.
Ginger tea is good too.

Doesn't matter what the contract says, they will try and shaft you one way or another.

[drdst122]

Thanks for the replies!

This is a really big Hagwon that I haven't had any problems with for the 10 months I have been here.

What is my plan of action come Monday?

[bobbybigfoot]

More scummy hagwon nonsense. Can't honor a simple contract.

On the plus side Op, at least you will get paid. Work where I work and a sick day costs you your days pay. Fortunately, I don't get sick enough to warrant missing work.

[oldtrafford]

koreans in the hogwon business are by and large the scum of the earth, if this idiot persists tell this piece of vermin you're taking more time off to go to the labour board. Oh, and don't sign another contract otherwise scum like this will never learn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[matthews_world]

You, fine sir, are insulting our intelligences with your use of 'Cliff Notes.'

For this reason I will pass on helping you. Ha!

[DaHu]

When you want a vacation, just use your sick days.

[MacLean]

Unfortunately public school contracts are nearly as bad. Gepik lures you in with 20 sick days a year. But just try using them. And if you are seriously sick and go to the hospital. When you return to school they know everything about your visit to the hospital. They've phoned the hospital and - in a fabulous example of doctor-patient confidentiality - the hospital has given the school all the details of what you're suffering from. That's horrendous enough, but anyone could phone the hospital and pretend to be your school, and they'd tell them everything.

[MacLean]

Unfortunately public school contracts are nearly as bad. Gepik lures you in with 20 sick days a year. But just try using them. And if you are seriously sick and go to the hospital. When you return to school they know everything about your visit to the hospital. They've phoned the hospital and - in a fabulous example of doctor-patient confidentiality - the hospital has given the school all the details of what you're suffering from. That's horrendous enough, but anyone could phone the hospital and pretend to be your school, and they'd tell them everything.

[nathanrutledge]

[drdst122]

Update:

I came in today and expected a full out war, but my director was sympathetic. She was very understanding and it was all the person underneath her that did all of this. Everything was taken care of.

She wants me to remain quiet and apologize to save face for the other persons position of "power." We'll see about that..

Anyways, as far as not divulging information, for public school that is, don't you need a doctor's note to get the sick day? I'm required to have it for my public school. Is it different for public?

Thanks again for all the support and responses.

[nathanrutledge]