Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oldfatfarang]

My wrangler just told me the POE is advising GET's "to refrain from travelling to countries where H1N1 is a problem."

When I asked what countries have infections - and was Thailand one of them? She said yes.

When I asked if the POE could force GETS to not visit Thailand - she backtracked and said: "You can go, but you must be careful" (WTF).

Any news about this? Are public school GET's holiday travel being cancelled, and/or will we be quarantined when we re-enter Korea (and not allowed to teach / forced to take either sick leave or unpaid leave)?

Any comments / information appreciated.

[megandadam]

our school told us that today. they said it was a government decision. when we come back, we can't teach for a week and it is all unpaid. we are scheduling a meeting to discuss ramnifications and possible solutions.

apparently, it affects even the kids who are going away, but they have to stay away from school for 2 weeks. not many teachers i know are staying here, if any, so not sure what is going to happen.

anyone else with similar situation please comment.

[The_Source]

[timetotravel]

my wrangler just came and told me this as well. she gave me a note that says when you come back from a foreign country please stay at home for 7 days before starting work.
it doesnt say its unpaid though.

[refikaM]

Hmmm interesting that so many are over-reacting, but that seems to be common these days for many... Saw my doctor the other day and he said he was NOT concerned about "swine" flu and that its infection rate is far too low for panic... Guess maybe he's an exception to the general population in the medical field and elsewhere...

[marlow]

[lovebug]

what does 'unpaid' leave for a SMOE/GEPIK teacher mean? i was planning on going back to the states during august, before the next semester kicks in. does this mean:
a. i will be forced to be back before a full week of class starting or i can't go?
b. i take the first week off of school in sept but it will be counted as vacation days?
c. i take the first week of school off but it will be counted as sick days?
d. i take the first week of school off but it won't count as anything?

any new developments on this are most appreciated....

[oldfatfarang]

Yes, this is important. Like everyone, I need to book flights.

[marlow]

Someone I know of thinks this is great. Yay, extra holiday, even if it's unpaid! I hardly think this is going to work in any teacher's favour, though.

[lovebug]

my kt told me today that the week off only applies if we're actually showing flu-like symptoms, and in that case, we stay home and it's counted as sick days. so theoretically, i can go to the states and not return until right before classes start up again.
full disclosure: she said this off the top of her head on our walk home. take that as you will. she was referring directly to that district memo in korean, though.

[Robot_Teacher]

I had a Korean call travel agencies and go online looking for me an air ticket in August and she said nothing was available. This is why I'm getting a red circle with a cross mark through it and airplane just like a no smoking sign on www.whypaymore.co.kr. Because nothing is available or it's over priced at best, this indicates that holiday seekers will be out in full force. Or is someone important booking out all the seats just to restrict travel or simply to up the ante on prices?

So they're going to restrict foreigners from taking an international trip while Koreans go on Summer holiday to South Asia? We could all tell them kimchee will protect us just like it will do for the Korean travelers.

[Draz]

[marlow]

[billietea]

There was a conference with my CT and principal about a month back...it was determined that I could take my 4 weeks off to attend the CELTA course in Thailand. This post is the first that I have heard anything about it being a potential issue.

Swine flu is in Korea...it doesn't make sense to limit our travel outside of the country unless this is just their way of manipulating the 18k+ foreigners working in Korea to vacation in this country.

[wylies99]

OP, which public school system is doing this or is it for all public schools?


BTW, are they telling Korean teachers to limit their travel over break? Wanna bet the answer is no?