Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jimbob1980]

Judging from other posts....you ring in sick at a public school, you are treated like a criminal. Are the Hagwons any different.

Also holidays, you get 10 days standard in the Hagwons...are these to take whever you want?

Just trying to decide - private or public?

Cheers

[NightSky]

[Carla]

[jimbob1980]

So you reckon public is the way to go for a first timer?

[Alaskaman]

Sick leave is something that both Native English teachers and korean people are not really getting. Either way we are seen as broken or not of use for the company. We just have to work plain and simple. This is the culture and the place we set our tent. So unless we are are at the "real hospital" we need to to to work. I know that it is very different but we maid our bed so now we have to sit

[waynehead]

I've only taken one sick day, and it was when I worked for a public school. I called/texted my co-teachers early in the morning and there was no big deal, someone covered my classes.

I haven't taken a sick day at any of my hagwon jobs (including my current job) and wouldn't unless I was too sick to get out of bed, b/c I'm 99% sure my boss would freak out.

Generally speaking my experience has been that PSs are better about allowing sick days.

[jimbob1980]

It's really the holidays that are attracting me to the public schools but I keep changing my mind every 2 mins lol!!

[Carla]

[Carla]

[iggyb]

The Labor Standards says you get 1 "leave day" per month worked - I believe it says, and that that leave day is to be used at the will of the worker - unless it grossly interferes with the operation of the business.

Like with everything, the contract and Labor Standards printout can be used as emergency toilet paper in many places. (Well, I can't say that for public schools. I have no experience with them...).

You can try pointing out the law when using a sick day...

On missing work and the culture --- my Korean wife would work a full shift if she coughed up one of her lungs........Which is why companies love her (and frankly Asians in general) in the US.....at least from what I've seen....

[jimbob1980]

the biggest thing to draw me to the hagwons is the higher wages and the fact i am not going to be the only foreign teacher....and the smaller classes!

[PaperTiger]

Smaller classes??? Just pretend you're a hot, naive teenage girl...and any prospective boss and recruiter are horny guys in their mid-20's who already have plenty of experience besmirching the honor of girls like you. They will say anything to get you in bed, while the school owners usually know the truth, they won't tell you. Recruiters will always pretend they know, but usually couldn't be bothered to remember YOUR name or details...let alone find out specific details about ANY given job and then relay them honestly.

THEY ALWAYS SAY THE CLASSES WILL BE SMALL, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. THEY'RE REFERRING TO THE SIZE OF THE CLASSROOM, MOST LIKELY...NOT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS.

There is no difference between pubic schools, hagwans, and private schools...you will have a Korean boss at either one. Korean bosses don't give sick days...that's all you need to know. And after you've foolishly signed your contract, please refrain from marching indignantly to the owner/manager's office to show how many sick days he's indicated you will have. If you're well enough to ask for a sick day, you're well enough to work.

It's not an exclusively Korean thing...bosses are supposed to call BS every time you want a sick day...so that you don't ask for them. Working in Korea is so much like having a real job back home, even the best of jobs will be a baptism of fire for people without much work experience...you'll be better for it if you can tough it out. I worked since I was 14 before I came here...but nothing drove the reality of the relationship between work and survival like working for the people I've encountered here.

Even schools that get a personal recommendation from a close friend or acquaintance aren't a sure bet. The only sure thing at a public school is that you'll get paid less than a hagwan will pay you...all other shady practices, deceits, and subterfuges are just as possible at any school...but you're asking all the right questions. Keep asking.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Ukon]

Good schools have no problem with sick days!