Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kitten]

I heard that many korean companies give women a day off every month, for their period. Has anyone ever heard this? Or, especially, heard of companies giving foreign teachers a magic day off?

[Milwaukiedave]

I've never heard of foreigners getting this off, but then again I'm a guy so how would I know.

When I was at a public school all of the females got one day off a month. In fact until I worked there, I had no idea about the policy and was a little embarrassed when I found out.

[yushin]

in this case "magic" is a damn good euphemism!

[Real Reality]

Menstruation Pardons Cause Campus Stir
By Bae Ji-sook, Korea Times (April 15, 2007)
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=892&categoryCode=117

Swimming Pools to Compensate for Menstruation Ban
By Lee Hyo-sik, Korea Times (May 18, 2007)
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2007/05/123_3093.html

Citibank gives up labor appeal
Act may encourage other menstrual compensation suits
By Limb Jae-un, JoongAng Daily (May 29, 2007)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2876107

Citibank to pay women -- for now
by Ser Myo-ja, JoongAng Daily (September 1, 2006)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2807336

Schools to Give Menstrual Leave From March
Chosun Ilbo (January 12, 2006)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200601/200601120031.html

Schoolgirls to Have One Day Off a Month
by Chung Ah-young, Korea Times (January 13, 2005)
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/news_view.asp?newsIdx=2532466

Hookers Want Union Contracts
by Moon Kyung-ran, JoongAng Daily (September 23, 2005)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2621709

[peppermint]

A female co-worker asked about that at my first hagwon job, she got told very bluntly, and in front of everyone "Foreigners don't bleed!"

I'm somewhat against the practice of taking a day anyway. It's embarrassing for the woman, and gives men another reason to dismiss all of us as weak. If the cramps are that bad, you should be allowed to take a sick day

[Atavistic]

I have never seen any female teachers at my school be absent unless it was for pregnancy leave.

However, I will be absent tomorrow because I have a fever and am not Korean.

[ttompatz]

You were probably thinking / wondering about section 71 of the Korean labor standards act:

Prior to amendment in 2003.
Article 71 (Menstruation Leave)
An employer shall allow a female worker one day�s menstruation
leave with pay per month.

Article 71 (Menstruation Leave)
An employer shall, if requested by a female worker, grant
her one day�s menstruation leave per month. <Amended by Act
No. 6974, Sep. 15, 2003>

[Ilsanman]

So not only do foreigners lack jung, they also don't bleed.

Damn, the world needs to know about how unique Korean people are.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Men should have an equivalent day:

My Wife's on the Rag Day
I'm single and Depressed Day
etc.

I think, back home, you can call in sick because you're hungover. It's a valid excuse.

[little mixed girl]

it doesn't matter if you're foreign or not, it's a day that you can take if you need it.

but again, real reality is here to post on the "injustices" of the menstrual day.

"omfg, blood coming out ur teh cootch is teh totally not hurting lolz."

[cj1976]

Paraphrasing comedian Jimmy Carr: If a woman calls in sick because of 'women's problems', the boss should ask 'Really? T!ts or fanny?'