Korean Job Discussion Forums

canukteacher · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul, Korea

If you are taking a job with GEPIK be forewarned that your personal information will not be treated Confidentially. Koreans have no concept of confidential information. My co-teacher, who is not my boss, has access to my information. I know that it has been photocopied and sent to various people in the GEPIK program, and local education office. When I have complained about this, I just get this strange look. They just do not get it.

Today I told my co-teacher (principal speaks no English) that I want my confidential info. back next week before I leave. She looks at me stupidly, and asks why. I go into the whole song and dance, again, about the info. being confidential, and that I don't want it sitting in a file where everyone can read it, once I have left. We need it for a future GEPIK audit
(like I care) I'm told. I finally gave up. Next week I am going to get the binder and "steal" the documents that I consider are no one's business. I don't care who get into trouble over it once I am gone.

Also, when you have your medical tell your co-teacher you will pick up the results. Mine not only picked them up, but read them, and informed me that I was healthy!! I wonder how many other people read them.

CT

Hobophobic · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 7:42 am Post subject: ?

What kind of info?...I took a job with the Gepik and I can't think of anything that would matter if someone read it...I suppose it is about principal and so forth, but still..what could they possibly talk about for personal info that could get under your skin?
...4 years at the same Hagwon with the same old unmarried gossiping ajuma teachers has perhaps made me not give a rat's patootey? Laughing

guangho · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 8:06 am Post subject:

Before starting here I was given a medical exam to get a certificate since this is a government job. I gave the test results to my boss, who gave it to the secretary who gave it to the vice principal who...

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Hey, I think I got your medical records, too!

I was looking through some paperwork they left in my mailbox, and there was this inter-province memo about a foreigner with some weird lesion on his butt....

Laughing

Hobophobic · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:38 am Post subject: hehehe

We had a teacher...since gone...and he developed those Butt Weasel lesions you mentioned...the doctor sliced the first one open, used no freezing needle mind you, and stuck in what i would equate as being a plastic maple syrup tap in the cut to allow it to drain...poor lad had these things come back an inch or two to the left or right of the original one...

...guess I might not want people to know if I had butt weasels... Embarassed

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

You gotta have a medical when you take a public school job? What kind of things do they test you for?

steroidmaximus · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: GangWon-Do

it's a general physical. . .you take some chest xrays, they sample your blood and urine for disease and drugs, check your blood pressure and heart rate, hearing, eyesight, height, weight, body fat, and finally your teeth.

guangho · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:11 am Post subject:

Blood test (AIDS/hepatitis), urine test (same and drugs), chest x ray (bronchitis/whooping cough/other contagious illnesses), and a delightful procedure to check if there is blood coming from your rectum. I will spare you the details.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

sarahsarah · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Location: Bundang

I think they know things they really have no reason knowing.

My creepy example ...

It was said to me that the principal of my school was worried because I sleep with my fan on and is worried I'll die from 'fan death'.

Strange thing is...how does he know I sleep with my fan on? I've never shared that information with anyone.

They know EVERYTHING !

Zark · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:33 pm Post subject:

There's no such thing as "confidentiality" in Asia.

livinginkorea · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Location: Korea, South of the border

Paddycakes · Joined: 05 May 2003 Location: Seoul

Korea is more of a communal orientated culture, so what do you expect.

If you think the place sucks, then leave.

If you don't like Koreans, then don't sign on with EPIK or GPIK.

canukteacher · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul, Korea

You overdosed on nasty pills today Paddy Cakes? My post had nothing to do with liking or disliking Koreans. My point was to warn potential Gepik teachers that their information will not be treated confidentially.

CT

kermo · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:21 pm Post subject:

At my school my personal information was so confidential that even I was not welcome to look at it.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=42664&highlight=

However, my social life was often fair game at my school. I remember hearing "Some teachers saw you in Seoul this weekend, with your arm around a man!" Okay guys. I live in a town of less than 1000 people. I go to a city of over 13 million. I am spotted in a less-than-indecent situation, and this is news?