Korean Job Discussion Forums

resa · Joined: 26 May 2005 Location: Seoul

My contract says that I have three sick days. That's pretty standard, I'm sure. My question is, are you (as in you reading this) actually allowed to take your sick days? I've been at my hagwon for almost eleven months, and I've never taken an entire day off from work, though I've been sick on multiple occasions. And it's been actual sicknesses...three times I've either gone home or not come in to work on time and missed a class or two, but with those hours, it doesn't even add up to one day, though I was really quite sick. They sent a Korean teacher to the doctor with me, even though it was at the international clinic and they spent a few minutes discussing me in Korean. One of the other foreign teachers at my school was sick with a flu so bad that the doc. prescribed tamiflu (the stuff they use for people with the bird flu) for him, and they wouldn't let him miss an entire day of work. What I want to know is, is this normal? Both the other teacher and I were sick last week, and our boss called and spoke to our doctor - which infuriates me, but would be such a huge mess if I brought it up it wouldn't even be worth it.

I have lots of other questions, because I'm going to stay in Korea, but maybe not at this hagwon, but I'll save those for another time. I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

While there are exceptions, there is the legend of the hakwon teacher who fell down the steps at Kimpo (in the old days) and broke a leg. He was taken to a doctor by his wangjangnim, a cast was put on and he was then taken to work the evening classes.

Demonicat · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Location: Suwon

heh, I actually DID break my hand and had to teach the kindy classes before going to the doctors at lunch, getting a cast, and coming back to teach the afternoon classes. Damn, am I glad to be leaving this job next week.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

If you are sick, how can they FORCE you to go to work?

I remember back in my hawgwon days. I wasn't sick that often because we had a clause that we would get a bonus pay if we never missed a day of work.

However, one year I ate some really bad food and I was dying. I called in sick...what would I have said if they told me to come to work? Prolly if they can drag my sick arse in I might baby sit the kids inbetween throwing up on them.

My current job is no problem. I just feel bad for the students. I think I have had 1 or 2 sick days this year.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

You are allowed to take a day off sick if you are sick.

manlyboy · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:37 pm Post subject:

Now that I'm in a public school, I thankfully don't have to deal with that crap anymore. I can take days off sick, and nobody asks anything other than "Are you OK" when I come back in.

In my last hagwon however, when I took one sick day, they tried to dock me TWO days pay. It was illegal, so I got them to change their minds, but I understand that now they have it written into the contracts at that place. They actually punish you if you're sick!

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Problem can come when the teacher exceeds sick days and isn't really sick. Being sick can cause a huge problem for the school, so you have to be actually sick. Drunk doesn't count.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

If you like the school and they really need you, try to pull through regardless.

If you don't like the school, call in sick - what are they going to do, sack you and then you can find a better school?

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

I could do with a sick day, but unfortunately I am perfectly healthy. Damn it.
Anyone got a nasty bug they'd like to share?