Korean Job Discussion Forums

[riley]

Grotto:
As for me, when I went to a local doctor for a problem and I had a korean coworker with me, the problem wasn't correctly diagnosed. The doctor didn't understand me at all. Cerriowen was talking about something that could be misinterpreted easily if the doctor or the coworker doesn't understand. So it may have been better that OP had found a doctor reccomended by a foriegner.

Cerriowen:
Sorry about the mistake in assumptions, just remembering a coworker that's all. Glad to hear that you were able to solve your problem with the doctor.

Roch:

[buymybook]

Didn:t you think about your drugs before you left your home country 1-2 months ago?

Koreans call the mental hospital "The White House," not to be confused with the one in America.

Call the seoul city help center for help with drugs, they can connect you with the Severance Foreigners Hospital.

I don't know if you are in the Seoul area but there is one near the Dogok subway station line #3 between Maebong and Daechi.

[Gideon]

Here is my suggestion. Maybe its bad karma, but in this country sometimes you gotta dish out the same in return

Next day at work just walk in all depressed and very upset. I would put on the tears as well. You'll automatically cause a scene and someone at work is going to notice. When asked what the problem is just hesitate at first.. then tell them a family member has died.. And you must leave your job the ASAP. Your only priority is to get that letter of release from them. Then submit the letter to immigration before leaving the country.

Meanwhile, I suggest heading to Thailand for a few weeks to get some much need R&R for your mind and body. This trip will also help out your medical condition. Cheap booze, beautiful weather...

Then come back and find a new job..

But get that release letter..

[Cerriowen]

[Milwaukiedave]

I tend to agree, you need to keep the fact that you are seeing a psych doctor quiet. Never tell any coworkers or your boss under any circumstances.

I've seen someone go through something similar and when they did tell the boss, they tried to get rid of them.


Some Korean are still very old school in that they think of mental health as your flipping crazy. You really have to be careful who you tell.

[Big Mac]

Just a thought while reading your posts....

What kind of medical insurance do you have? I've heard of bosses who want you to book a doctor through them so that they can pay in cash for you rather than pay National Medical Insurance.

He might be angry because your doctor's visit is going to cost him.

Just a thought.

[Cerriowen]

I'm pretty sure it's the government insurance. I may be wrong. They don't seem to care how often i visit other doctors though, and encourage me to go to the hospital for the smallest cold... as long as it isn't during working hours. If I die I have to schedule it for after 6:30pm, and be sure I'm back by 10am the next day.

[Cerriowen]

I just had the craziest thing happen today.

About 3 weeks ago I gave my boss a letter telling her I would like to be released from my contract. She said no, I had to stay til the end of July. But then she refused to sign anything saying I COULD leave at the end of July. I was really unsure about how to proceed, but was biding my time, and waiting to see what happens. She's been avoiding me.

Today Tesa called me in to a room with her, and she asked if I still wanted to leave. I said yes, and Tesa said "OK. Then tomorrow can be your last day." I offered to stay through the end of June, but they said they made other arrangements. Thanks for the heads up! Jeez. So I have until June 30th to clean out my apartment. I seriously doubt they are going to pay me for this months work. As part of releasing me from the contract I need to reimburse them for the flight, and the visa run to Japan. In all honesty it's probably only about 1/2 to 3/4 of my actual salary, but I don't have any grounds really to fight it. But it means I can work in Korea still, if I want to.

As of next week I'll be broke, homeless, unemployed and in a country where I can't speak the language. In the Doctor Seus Book "Oh the Places You'll Go", they failed to mention this scenario. The only rhymes I can think of right now involve swear words.

Everything will work out I'm sure. I've sent out my resume and put ads in the paper. I'm just irritated that they didn't give me more than 24 hours notice. If she'd said OK even a week ago I could have found a job by now.

Anyway. Thanks for all the advice on how to deal with it. I'm suprised that it's ended up this way. What ever.

[Qinella]

Glad to hear it worked out. About the money situation, it might be a long shot but still worth asking if they'll only take half of what you owe them now, and then you'll pay the rest once you find a new job. You never know.. it would be helpful for you, though. Anyway, best of luck to you.

[Cheonmunka]

Sounds to me like you have just been fired without any cause and any recompense. Why the heck don't you go to the Labor Board! A company can't fire you like this without any notice. They must pay you.