Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Farah2310]

I don't get it- do koreans not get sick? I am looking to come teach english in S korea this January but the school just told me that they don't offer sicks days. Is that normal? They also said thaf if I do miss a day it will be deducted from my pay. Is this something to be concerned about or is this a normal thing in Korea?

[chris_J2]

Public School Contracts allow 10 days sick leave, but you need a doctors certificate for more than 2-3 days, & even taking one day is frowned upon, unless you are genuinely sick. Even then, don't be surprised if your Korean coteachers come checking up on you in your apartment.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

In Korea you don't take sick days unless you're so sick you need to be hospitalised; but if you do, you should not have a days salary deducted from your paycheque. Tell them no thanks.

[egrog1717]

[Korussian]

The 2008 GEPIK (public school) contract allows for 15 paid sick days per year, and 30 total sick days. If you're sick for 7 days, you have to bring a doctors note. Really very reasonable!

However, note that if you actually do take a sick day your colleagues will either wonder if you require hospitalization, or be anywhere from miffed to pissed that you took, what is in their eyes, a "day off".

In Korea, if you have a cold/flu, you still come to work. It's normal to see Koreans spending much or all of their work day with their heads on their desks on the days when they are ill. On the days when they are not ill, they only spend a portion of the day with their heads on their desks.

[Ramen]

2009 EPIK contract only allows 11 days of sick leave.

[marlow]

It's normal for Korea but you don't need to make it normal for you. It's a teachers' market.

[Xuanzang]

PS will be more forgiving for taking sick days than a hagwon. They might make sucking noises and try to guilt trip you but they are in the contract. You are the white face of your hagwon and missing classes is an even more unpleasant experience.

[mrgisa]

Of all the ridiculous, illogical and insane things that Koreans expect of their workers, this probably ranks first. How logical is it to make people go to work when they are sick? Do people really get more work done when they are sick? How about other people? Of course, it's not being selfish to make people go to work when they are sick: after all, helping to spread a cold, flu or what-have-you with your coworkers, students or the general public is selfless.

Let them frown upon you, give you dirty looks, drop by your place whatever...if you are sick, don't go. That's why we have these days in the contract and it's the only way they may ever learn...

As for a job that has no sick days in the contract? Toss it to the curb. that's the only way they'll learn either. This is a teachers market and there's no need to live with that fear. No one should have to work when they are sick...

My ee won...

Gisa ^^

Gisa ^^

[sojourner1]

[chris_J2]

I just checked the 2006 Gepik contract, & it stipulates 15 days sick leave.

Also checked the Epik 2007 contract, & it also stipulates 15 days.

After that, it's leave without pay, as per sample contract 2007:

[Xuanzang]

[Draz]

I come in because I would want them (foreign coworkers) to do the same for me. (Not public school.) I'd rather come in sick then have to cover classes whenever my coworker decides she's too sick to work. Same as at the low level jobs I worked at home... I'd go unless I was unable to get out of bed.

I called in sick loads at public school though. Felt no qualms about making those lazy arse coteachers do their share of the work for once.

[Sapa]

I'm the same with sick days at my hagwon, I wouldn't want to put the other teachers out. I don't want to have to cover their lessons in my free periods just the same as I'm sure they don't want to cover mine.
If I was fairly sick but could still get out of bed and operate fairly normally I would just come in anyway and put a movie on or something.