Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aimeecate]

Has anyone else been asked to have a health check done again before summer vacation? I just had mine done in February, so I don't see why they are asking for another one.

[ChinaBoy]

just refuse it, it's not in your contract

[Jammer113]

This is a different health check than the one you do to get your visa. The one you do to get your visa is an immigration requirement, and they're basically checking for drugs or mental illness.

This one, they're going to do basic things like check cholesterol levels, basic blood chemistries, blood pressure, weight, etc. It's a public health initiative, and is required of all public school teachers, including you.

You could fight it, but nobody would understand why, since it's a different check than your visa, and everyone else at your school has to do it. It would also give your administration office a huge headache having teachers who did not do their annual checkup.

[br_owen]

aside from the privacy issue (it's a completely different argument if you are being forced), why would you turn down a free medical check? For a lot of countries, that type of thing costs a lot of money...

[fromtheuk]

At my last school, I had a medical check in April 08 to renew my contract.

In December 08, the VP said I need another check, they gave me a sheet of paper about it. I filed it (in the bin) and nodded when told about the health check.

They never asked me about it again.

[ChinaBoy]

Hmm... after reading what other people said, I agree with all of them.

At first I thought they were drug testing you and crap like that. But since it's just some kind of free health thing, that sounds like a good deal.

That said, I also agree with the privacy thing, because you know everyone at your school will learn all of your business.

And then I also agree with the next guy who just said "yes" and then they forgot all about it (usually the way things happen here).

[T-dot]

The medical check for your school is optional.
They just want to make sure the teachers at the school stay healthy or treat any sickness'. Its free; thats why most (not all) the korean teachers get it done every 2 years.

If you dont mind other people knowing about your medical history go ahead and get it done.

If not, don't.

[kaosjin]

I also had to get a second health check after the visa one. To my understanding it has to do with the national health plan. I got it done and it was free. The reason for it is to find out if you have any health problems. Anything that will help my health I consider to be a good thing. Also, when I asked about it, I was informed that if you get sick and they find out that it is a preexisting condition, they will not cover the medical expense. I guess the decision is yours to make. I had and have nothing to hide and I don't consider a medical check invasive. I think it is a positive thing. Preventive health care is a good thing.

[cruisemonkey]