Korean Job Discussion Forums

[WiscoDom]

So our head teacher recently told us that we must take a physical examination next week, with everything included from chest x-rays to blood and urine samples. This certainly was not in my contract, and also not in any of our other teachers' as well. When confronted, the head teacher told us that it was Korean law that everyone must do this. Has anyone else heard of something like this? When asking my friends at other hagwons, they are not subject to this. What do you think? It seems invasive to me and, if I did not need an exam before I was hired, why do I need one now?

[dutchschultz]

It is required and not just for foreigners. All employees must have a physical performed once every two years.

When I taught at private universities in Korea, I was able to avoid this. But at my current job, everyone (and I am the only foreigner at my workplace) had to assemble one day and have the physical.

You can have it done with everyone else and it's free or they'll make you go to a public hospital and then you'll have to pay for it yourself.

It's no big deal. Chest x-ray is checking for TB. Since the doctors couldn't speak English and I pretended not to understand any Korean, they just marked my paper as "healthy" and I went on my way.

[waynehead]

I had to do this recently, too, but it was spelled out for me in my contract. I'll second that it's not a big deal...just make sure you have a note or something when you go to the hospital...with my very limited korean it took me a while to communicate why I was there. I think it cost about 50 bucks.

[MarionG]

From what I've read on here, it's required every other year at public school, but not at hogwons.

[Fishead soup]

Your school also needs something to gossip about. If you're overweight and your blood pressure is high is makes for some great conversations.

[ttompatz]

It is NOT a legal requirement.

I have worked in both the private and public sector. I have been here for more than 7 years and have never been required to have one.

It may be company policy or spcific city education office (if you are in the public sector) policy but it is NOT a legal requirement.

You won't get arrested or deported if you refuse. You may, however, get fired if it is the policy of your employer to require it.

[nottanya]

My school is requiring it as well, but at least half the teachers plan on blowing it off and not doing the exam without saying anything. I've been told by the teachers who didn't do it last year that they could fine us, but they probably won't.
I personally wouldn't mind a free phyisical exam, but I have no interest in having my employer get the results. I'm perfectly healthy and there is no reason for them to have information so personal that I don't even know it. It's none of their business and were this the US, it would be illegal.

[bassexpander]

It's a drug test!

OMG, you're going to spend the rest of your life in JAIL!!!!!

They're telling you, in a nonconfrontational way, "We think you're a pothead, and we want to get samples to prove it."

RUN FOR THE HILLS! THEY'RE ON TO YOU!

[chris_J2]

The urine samples aren't really necessary.

I was tested for blood pressure {normal}, chest xray (normal) & Aids,TB & Hepatitis (all negative.)

I think the mandatory part only came in this year. It wasn't necessary last year. Also, a police check is also needed this year.

[valkyrian2]

[nottanya]

One of the teachers at my school told me the reason she refuses to do this exam is that a teacher she knew was "let go" after the hagwon found out that she had an STD through the "mandatory" physical exam.
I was told that they are looking for STDs - especially AIDS, cancer, and other medically expensive illnesses. If they find out that you have one of these illnesses, you might be sent home. This is why this type of medical exam is illegal in the US if the person is already employed.
This may be all hearsay, but the truth is that it could happen.
Korean teachers at my school will probably do the exam without question and I seriously doubt that I have any problem that would get me sent home, but on principal, I won't do it.

[KimchiExplosion]

Do they make you turn your head and cough?

[kat2]

They asked me in March to have it done. I said "Ok" and haevn't heard another piece about it yet. I figured ignoring it would make it go away, and it did. Just tell them you want to go do it at the hospital near your house or that you have a korean friend who is a doctor or you want to go somewhere where the doctor is fluent in english or whatever excuse. Chances are they'l never bring it up again.

[mspencer1983]

you DO NOT have to do it. it IS NOT mandatory and you CAN NOT get fired for refusing....unless maybe you're the only foreign teacher at your school without backup

i worked at a school where i was 1 of 12 foreign teachers and we flat out refused. it was ridiculous to all of us for them to even ask.

anyone who actually goes through with it is a complete idiot. i am always amazed by the amount of foreigners in this country that could be walked off a cliff if you let them. god.

[chris_J2]