Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zaria32]

I started a new job...my second year in Korea...two weeks ago. Although I passed the physical with flying colors, the doctors at the hospital were fascinated by an unusual lung condition I have. They talked. It got back to the parents, who demanded I be fired as I have this "illness." (It's non-communicable, doesn't interfer with my work etc.) Hence. I've been fired, and will be working here through the end of the month.

Cindy at Jun Education told me that although I have a brand new E-2 visa, brand new ARC (both of which were under the new regulations) and a letter of release, that I'll have to resubmit my documents, get another E-2 visa, leave the country, etc. etc. Does anyone know if this is true?

I know we all love to speculate on here, but I'd really be interested in comments from those who really believe they know.

Thanks

[mehamrick]

If you wouldnt mind sharing what kind of lung condition do you have? and you could always think of a libel suit... Sorry to hear you definately got the wrong end of that stick... hope it works out for you.

[Zaria32]

I have pulmonary fibrosis.

[Unposter]

How did the parents find out? Sounds like there might be another reason for your firing but I don't know.

[philipjames]

Sorry to hear about that. Korea really sucks in many ways. Here we have an employer who probably smokes three packs a day firing you over a lung condition. 'Oh, we're thinking about the kids.' Yeah right, this from a guy who probably lights up around children and pregnant women several times a day, even under no smoking signs. Sparkling logic.

Are you sure he's not using that medical thing as an excuse. Is there possibly some other reason he might want rid of you? And yes, you'll probably have to submit all your documents again, leave the country etc. Friggin rediculous. The sooner we get an organization up and running the better, as we'll be able to get changes to these rediculous rules. We'll also be able to pay dues into a collective fund, from which we can draw money to sue employers for libel, wrongful dismissal, or any of the countless other forms of abuse we now have to endure. Hopefully that day is coming soon.

Sorry to hear about your situation.

[philipjames]

That's a good point. How the hell do the parents know the details of your health report? If your boss released the details to the parents he deserves a punch to the head. Have these idiots never heard of privacy and confidentiality?

The other part of my mind says, it might be that the parents do not know about your health condition. He's just using the 'parents' line to get rid of you for another reason.

Confront the bugger about it. Ask him directly, "How could the parents know about the contents of my health report?" See what the jerk says.

One more reason to form an organization - we can sue employer's for releasing our private and personal information (health, criminal record report etc.) to a third party.

Sparkling, Korea is not.

[CentralCali]

Looks like he's trying to beat the April 11th deadline for being a worthless bigot.

Oh, and it's quite obvious that, if your termination is based on what someone else said, as your employer is stating, then you have been prevented from employment. That means you've a case for slander/libel.

As the poster above asked, "Have these idiots never heard of privacy and confidentiality?" I do know that there are privacy/confidentiality laws in Korea. Check with that migrant aid organization for legal advice on this case.

[cbclark4]

Wouldn't the labor board get involved in this and the doctor?

This is not a freakin' communicable disease!

Misdiagnosis is common, get a second opinion.

[PGF]

Truly a terrible situation. What school are you dealing with and where is it?

[R. S. Refugee]

If you are going to have any conversations with someone who might be incriminating themselves, I suggest getting a little hidden recorder to put in you shirt pocket.

And then guide the conversation to get the incriminating info on it. It is legal to secretly record a conversation in Korea, I've been told by multiple legal professionals.

I only got one after the fact. Didn't have it when it could have done me some good. So, I try to make this suggestion in advance to others who might see such a situation coming.

[idonojacs]

That is a MAJOR bummer.

But why would you WANT to come back to Korea?

If it's not one thing, it's another.

What bothers me the most about all this is that the rules are not written down, at least in specific detail, and they are totally clueless to interpret even the slightest discrepancy, so they just toss you out. That's how much Korea really cares about you as a human being, and about promoting English education.

Korea is clueless.

[Cliffhanger]

I would also like to know how the parents found out if indeed he is telling you the truth.

I've already heard what the word "confidential" means to Koreans.

Sounds like I'll have to have a serious conversation with my director about that before I go for the checkup. (Not that it will make any difference)

[Zaria32]

Here's what happened...the doctor who read my x-ray was fascinated by what he saw...he demanded I come back to the hospital, which I did. 15 doctors crowded into the room, all pouring over my x-ray and talking to each other. The only reason I had to be there for that was so they could charge me 38,000 won.

Apparently, one or more of the doctors had friends or relatives children in this school. They talked. This is what actually happened.

[Zaria32]

Please guys...I am NOT being kicked out of Korea. I have my ARC. I have my E-2 visa. I passed the physical. The parents wanted me fired because of my so called illness. And yes, as we all know, there is no medical confidentiality in Korea.

HOWEVER, I WANT TO KNOW if what Cindy at Jun Education said is correct. That's why I posted. Does anyone know?

I do NOT want to sue, I do NOT want to cause a stink, I just want another job.

[CentralCali]