Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ayahyaha]

Out of the blue, my manager emailed a bunch of teachers and said that we were required to get a health check.

I have emailed a few times with him, but his English isn't up to the task of explaining and I can already feel that I'm getting on his nerves.

Has anyone else heard of something like this?

He wrote it's "welfare" for the company.

He also said "It's Korea policy." (I asked "What policy?", but no answer.)

And, the company is paying for it. (They didn't pay for my first, visa-related health check.)

So WHAT is this for? They can't or won't explain. My contract is up in a few months and I don't want to bother with something so invasive and annoying.

[newb]

It's a free health check so what's the worry?

[falldownstumble]

Hah, I work for the same company. I've also been emailing back and forth with him, and it's still not any clearer than in the first email.

Half of his explanation is trying to make it sound like some sweet deal ("you poor teachers work so hard and don't worry about your health, it's free, it's a benefit, it's welfare!") and the other half is implying it's mandatory and the company will be fined if we don't do it. But he can't give me any evidence/documentation that it is actually a government policy, and it's certainly not in our contract.

For the person who said what's the big deal, the big deal is mandatory health check-ups are invasive, tedious, and a waste of time. I am capable of taking myself to a doctor when and if I need it. Not only do we have to submit to the check up, we also have to go (some of us, at least) all the way across town to the edges of bumf*ck Seoul to the main office to "pick up the registration document and get directions to the clinic", very early and inconveniently with only a couple days notice. Why on earth can they not email us the directions?

Anyway, can anyone else shed any light on this mysterious, possibly new government policy?

[ayahyaha]

@falldownstumble, right?!? Nothing I am reading is making any sense.

Is your contract up soon? What's the common thread between the teachers who must do this?

I have already told them that I can't make the "meeting" and that he needs to mail/email me what I need. I never make waves and always show up for whatever meetings they come up with, but this is too much. If more people do the same they might fold and cancel the meeting.

[big_fella1]

Korean employers are required to provide a health check to their employees every 2 years.

It's free so it never occured to Koreans that people wouldn't want one. If you're on a one year contract, not intending to renew and you don't want the test, I understand, as the way they take blood here is to get the youngest and most inexperienced person to play darts with your arm. The employer is subject to a penalty if they don't test half their staff each year or their entire staff every 2 years but there is no penalty for you.

If they threaten to fine you tell you'll call the labor board and check if it's legal.

[ayahyaha]

I also found this post: (http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=223522)

[nero]

I think I work for the same company as you two. The check is imperative as it is to do with the government health insurance. They need to see you don't have any pre-existing conditions and so on. It's all for the government and the company has to oblige, so stop your bitching.

[schwa]

[big_fella1]

[hogwonguy1979]

i posted this in another thread but my univ wants me to do a second health check (i did one when I started my job spring of 2011) at some company's place on Yeouido and it includes BOTH a colonoscopy and an endoscopy (talk about getting it at both ends).

I'm like no way because 1) I've done the health check for my E2 and the hiring one last spring 2) my regular doctor says I don't need the colonoscopy etc because I'm in excellent health (like I said before I had tests done this summer to make sure I can run a marathon) 3) I don't trust a 3rd party

yeah it may be free but i'm not having invasive procedures done when they are not medically necessary. If its a 2 year health check I'll be happy to one like the E2 check and the one I had last spring with my dr next spring

[Seon-bee]

If I'm not mistaken, a colonoscopy is recommended for people age 50 and older who have a normal risk for colorectal cancer. Are you over 50?

The National Health Insurance program has various recommended tests, but they typically send you a note in the mail asking you get an exam done for X, Y, and Z specifically; however, in my experience the tests were appropriate to one's age and gender.

[ajuma]

I've been here a lot of years and have had my health check done every 2 years. Most Koreans with long-standing jobs do it too. It usually involves a blood test, urine test, eye test, hearing test, height/weight and chest x-ray. You should receive a copy of your results within a month or so...and your school will probably receive a copy too.

In all that time, I've never been required/asked to have a colonoscopy or an endoscopy done.

If you're over 50 (or close to it), I'd do the colonoscopy. I've had them done twice and they're no big deal. (The stuff you have to drink before it is another story altogether!!!!)

As for the endoscopy, unless they're looking for something specific, there's no real point.

[nora]

As has been stated before, it's for the national insurance.

So, it's required of everyone every two years. It's basic enough if you're young, but yes, as you get older, you take one up the rear.

If you don't do it, then the employer gets in trouble (because it's their job to get you to get it done). Also, I've heard that if you don't get it done, and you end up with some disease that could have been prevented/found earlier from the screening, then you're out of luck - they won't cover you.

[northway]

[hogwonguy1979]