Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

Yes, I did have the flu and I suffered through it and went to work anyway.

I did not however, see the sense of going to a staff dinner and horking all over everyone's food.

I had gone to the doctor and they gave me 10 days supply of anti-biotics to take. I found the pills worse than the disease however. They knocked me right out for a couple of hours. I had to make sure I took them after work.

That first year in Korea, I caught every cold, flu and whatever else bug that was going around. I was never so sick in my life and I believe it would be the same for most newbies. Your body is not accustomed to the various bugs as they are different strains from the ones back home.

In 3 years working in the PS system, I only took 1 sick day and that was because it was the only way I could get time off to go to the city and renew my passport.

I don't see anything wrong with people using sick days if they need to.
Hyeon Een's post does portray an attitude that seems quite prevalent among Koreans. It is an attitude that most Westerners find quite bizzare to say the least.

So you want us to go to work sick, and spread germs all over to every student and other teacher we meet. Nice.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[oldtrafford]

if you're sick, you're sick. Stick up for yourself and tell who ever is giving you grief, to do one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oldtrafford]

Taking sick days is WEAK. NYC girl mentioned taking *7* in her first year. I think that is insane. If you're that sick that often you should go live in a hospital or something. Seriously, there is something wrong with you if you need to take sick days that often. You're not a healthy person.

When I HAVE been sick, I've gone to work every time. Without fail. If you can get to the hospital, you can get to class. Period. Man up boys and girls. I've ended up in hospital twice due to ailments but it NEVER EVER affected me going to class.

Why not? (1) I'm not a selfrighteous 'entitled' pusssy. (2) It's bad for my students or my boss's business. I've been at a university for the last 4 years and my duty is to my students.. if I'm sick I should still go.. it'd mess up my syllabus if I didn't =)

Just because you have a cold (NO, you DON'T have 'the flu!'') doesn't mean you can't go to work. COWBOY UP.


And you, you idiot spread your filthy germs to everyone. I'm from the U.K. we don't get sick days but when we're sick we stay home, that includes teachers you selfrighteous pratt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EddieH]

I used all 5 sick days at my school, despite only being sick for two of them. I figured they were in my contract, so I ought to take them. Granted, I did take the last 3 in the last 2 weeks of my contract, to minimize the amount of time they could do anything to me. My recommendation is just to be forceful about it - if you're sick, take a sick day.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Indeed! The self-righteous prat works at uni, too. Try not getting sick your first year living in Asia while teaching over 700 little snot monsters! Again, I only took 3 this year and 2 of them were for food poisoning. I did not go to the hospital for that, because I couldn't leave my bathroom

For strep, I went to get antibiotics and rested the rest of the day. Why? Because strep can get much worse if you use your voice. Why should I go in and infect everyone? Korean teachers in my school take sick days.

[southernman]

I've taken sick days, two times at my old Hagwon when the pay was late. My boss asked why I didn't go to the chemist and get some medicine. I said I hadn't been paid so I couldn't afford it. The result, pay was always on time I get renewed with more pay and far better conditions.

Also called a sick day at a PS when in my first class of the day and for that semester. The co-teacher just walked out leaving me with 15 kindergarten kids who just went crazy. She returned I said my piece and left for the day. From then on that teacher and class were fine. Again at the end of the contract I got asked to stay.

If you need them take them, who the hell wants to cowboy up, I grew up in the country, cowboys are hardly the healthiest of people. They're just the ones dumb enough (and frankly they need the job) to work in far worse conditions than we have to put up with.

[CPJ]

I think the point is that you have to use some common sense.

I've seen really sick people show up to work and I've seen healthy people call in sick to go away on a trip.

Whatever you do, just understand that there could be some repercussions.

I think in 90% of the cases, if you have sick days in your contract and you take them for whatever reason, then you will be fine. You'll get your severance and pay and all will be fine. However, the director is human just like you are. If you're sick and he needs you to be at the school, he is asking you for a favor. Whether you help him or not is up to you. This doesn't mean that you are spineless if you show up or that you're a real man if you stay home.

Just understand that if there comes a time where you need a favor, maybe the director will take into account how helpful you were or were not.

It's basically your decision and there is no wrong answer.

[oldtrafford]

I don't think you're getting this last poster. When you're sick, you can't do favours. I got a cold once, a cold like had never had before, I was at the docs. for four days straight getting pupped full of antibiotics, I could barely move let alone work, nor want too!!!!!!!!!!!

[Skippy]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

You're right. I've never been one to take a sick day just to nap or go on a trip. I was either at the hospital getting much-needed meds (and near-passed-out in the taxi to and from the hospital) or stuck near the porcelain god.

Of course, my coteacher or the admin could verify this if they stopped by or called the hospital. I've gone in to work with plenty of minor colds. It's when my throat was completely swollen to the point where I was having trouble breathing that I knew that going in to work would be foolish. I've been lucky this year, though. Just the 2 cases of food poisoning and strep once.

This year, my only real illness happened to start the day before my 3 week holiday. Lucky me

[Skippy]

[iRock]

[MacLean]

Last year my friend broke his knee. Tripped over a broken piece of Korean sidewalk. His knee swelled up like a melon. Got out his cellphone and called a friend who met him in a taxi, and took him to the hospital. Doctor confirmed that he had broken his knee, and that he should keep off it for the next ten days. In excruciating pain he went home.

Next morning he phoned his public school and relayed the information. The principle would have none of it. He demanded that he come into work. "If you can make it to the hospital you can make it into work." He stood his ground and insisted on the sick days offered in his contract. After returning to work he was given the ice treatment. Two months later his contract was not renewed. The reason: bad work ethic.