Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kennyftw]

I have the flu. It hit me yesterday at 1pm, and when I get the flu, I just become immobilized. I usually get the flu once every two years, maybe, and it is the only time when I HAVE to take off work. Body is sore all over, chills, weak and sleepy. Yeah these are the BEST conditions to come into work with a bunch of screaming kids making it worse AND having me spread the virus around.

She says, no, I must endure. She was sick, too, but she still came into work. I just said "yeah" and hung up the phone. All I wanted was 2 more extra hours to sleep.

She'll get exactly what I'm able to do at work today, and that's sitting down with my face in my palm and having kids do word searches all day.

Contracts in Korea=toilet paper. No, actually, toilet paper has more uses than a Koren work contract.

[TheUrbanMyth]

Does the contract allow you to have sick days?

Have you taken the maximum number allowed?

If the answers are "yes" and "no" respectively then you should have simply stood your ground.

"I'm sorry but I'm too sick. I will gladly provide you with a doctor's note in a day or two when I am better."

How is the contract supposed to protect you if you don't use it?

[SMOE NSET]

I have to agree with TheUrbanMyth. If you had sick days to use, you should have stuck your ground.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

And what's with this having to provide a doctor's note right away? Can someone explain that? How can you do to the hospital when you're sick as a dog?

Calling and saying "I'm sick" should suffice.

[warmachinenkorea]

[eamo]

Should have stood your ground.

Lots of Koreans think you should come to work when you're sick. That's one part of Korean culture I'll never submit too.

My last high school boss tried to persuade me to come to work when I called in sick once, my only sick day in my 3 years at that school. He wouldn't give up! I think he spent about 20 minutes on the phone trying to persuade me to come in. I just point blank refused. The school was a 1 hour bus ride away and I had a serious case of Seoul Salsa!! Not a chance I was leaving my home that day!

[kraggy]

I think you should have asked for the day off instead of coming in 2 hours late.

2 hours rest isn't going to cure your flu and also, to her it suggests that you're not genuinely sick, just tired and wanting a sleep in.

If you have sick days, take them. You can take 2 without a doctor's cert. 3 and upward you need a cert.

[hellofaniceguy]

Gesh....
Here's my take...
Thousands and thousands of koreans are sick everyday somewhere in this country....and thousands stay home.
Hospitals in korea are full of sick folks....just like any other country.
You mean to tell me that most koreans would not stay home/call in sick if they are ill?
I have taught in a number of universities and public schools.....I have seen hunderds of koreans who have call in sick.
And I also had the unfortunate experience of working at a few hokwons...and seen the same thing.
What's going to happen when your illness gets worse? And then you really end up staying out for more than a few days? Or end up in the hospital.
You need to stand your ground...NO ONE is going to look out for YOUR health except you and when you get sick and should you end up in the hospital.....I'll bet no one will come and visit you...save maybe one or two...so...pray tell me...where's all this korean love we hear about and respect and....
your co-worker in an idiot...wait until he/she gets sick!

[kimchijigijig]

I try to explain to Koreans that it is illogical to come into work when you are sick:

1. your given illness will most likely last longer due to you not having any rest

2. depending on your illness, you might spread it to others at you place of work.

But they say logic is left at immigration, Incheon airport. I suppose to them calling in sick is a sign of weakness, and non-loyalty to the cause go figure?

[itistime]

Sorry Kenny.
Act like a lil itch and they walk all
over you here. I'm sure they're
happy that you came in, but be stronger
next time and tell them to 'go fly a kite'.

[Kennyftw]

Yea, I hear you guys about standing ground, but I had to get the real "OK" from the Head Office, and I couldn't get through to him, so that's why I asked my co-teacher if she would cover for me for 2 hours.

Whatever the case, not covering for me for 2 classes is a total bit$$ move. I even said she could leave before the 5th class, so she essentailly would only be working one more class than me.

[shifty]

Kenny, she's gotten to know you and thinks you're a whiner.

In this thread alone, look at your comprehensively written two posts. Is that the write of a sick man? NO!!!

Now stop malingering and go do your job!

[Kennyftw]

[cj1976]

Have you ever had a job before? Sorry, just joking lol. Everyone takes a day off sick occasionally. No big deal.
I've never been questioned after a sick day, but I only take them for legit reasons like actually being sick. If you were trying to sleep off the night before that's a different story.
You don't even need to feel guilty, so just tell her you're not coming. End of story.

[shifty]