Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Spfychik84]

I work at a hagwon and my boss' mother is our cook. We are certain she re-uses food and serves food that is past its expiry date, and we find hair in our food almost daily. The kids don't like the food, either. It's gotten to the point that no one wants to eat the food, and though we've broached the subject with our boss, she certainly doesn't want to do anything about it.

I have googled the KFDA and sent them an email about it, but there is really not much information out there about what is legal or illegal in terms of food safety standards/preparation. Does anyone know anything about this? Also, does anyone know if it's legal for our boss to have her mother working for her in this capacity? She also employs her father as a bus driver.

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you!

[ewlandon]

it's totally illegal to hire family members to work for you. You should probably quit your job and report your hagwon to the NSA.

[Stan Rogers]

Since you have been hired as a food inspector, by all means.......

[YTMND]

[ewlandon]

The reason for the "No family members working together" law is for this exact reason. When family members cook for each other they dont mind about hairs etc. SO they need a law that way hairs dont get into the food.

[augustine]

That's nasty. I'm glad I've never had a job where people forced me to eat their food. That slop they serve in public school cafeterias smells like garbage. No thanks, I'll bring a loaded Italian sub with me instead.

[drcrazy]

Hair is a great source of fiber. Sounds like a good situation to me.

[rollo]

Ignore the crazies on Daves. be rational. A nice letter to the U.N Human rights Commision explaining how you are the victim of systematic abuse and oppression, will suffice. Or buy the nice lady a hair net.

[Spfychik84]

Look, there's absolutely no need to be rude here (though some posts were entertaining). I was just curious, it's a legitimate concern, not just for me, but for my kids (whom I care about), if the food being served isn't being prepared sanitarily.

[peachKitten713]

Eww... I don't know what to tell you. If it were me, I would definitely feel uncomfortable/disgusted about it. I wouldn't be able to relax when eating and would always be poking around with my chopsticks and expecting that horrible feeling of pulling a hair out from between my lips... T_T

Maybe, like some people have been joking about, you could try to get her to wear a hairnet...
Like maybe bring in some 'gifts' for all the supervisors/head teachers that have to do with their job. Like you could bring a paperweight for the principles desk, a nice pen for the art teacher, and then a set of nice hairnets/caps and apron for the cook. It would seem innocent but she would want to wear it to show her appreciation. That could be a way to get her to wear a hairnet.

Also you could kinda show her that there is hair. You could 'help out' before serving and then notice a hair. Then you could 'become embarrassed thinking its yours', but then say "oh but my hair is brown and this one is gray...." Maybe she would figure it out. Or just straight up tell her when you two are alone... "some of the kids have seen hair in the food....", as though you are embarrassed but feel obligated to bring it up.

Anyway, I hope things work out. Eww I don't think I could eat it anymore though. Maybe just like the rice/bread, but I would definitely be afraid of the soupy/ sauce courses where hair can hide.... Eeek! Good luck~

[CentralCali]

[peachKitten713]

Oh, and sorry for the double post, but as for your other concern that the food is past its expiration date... I really don't know what to say about that. If it smells spoiled/funny to you, then don't eat it. Or definitely if you see mold or something on it. Eat stuff that is safe to eat even if it's a little old... like kimchi or the bread or...

I know it might be hard to just not eat because that could be considered rude. But you definitely don't want to get sick...

When I wasn't getting along with my school and stopped going to lunch, I'd just use hot water and eat o-baek ramyun in my classroom....

I feel sorry for the kids though. I hope everything gets better!

[Juregen]

[le-paul]

tell them youre giving meat for lent/passover or whatever. Thats what i told my school and now they never ask me to eat with them anymore.

But as far as reporting them, go ahead. Theyre bound to figure out it was you and fire you.

[FriendlyDaegu]