Korean Job Discussion Forums

JD1982 · Joined: 19 Apr 2007

I called in sick this morning and my co-teacher raised hell. This is second time I got sick eating some unknown Korean food this month.

Apparently, she doesn't believe me that I'm sick. So instead of being concerned for my health, she kept calling me to come in. She told me that teachers can't possibly get sick twice in a same month. She also told me that I have to make up the missed classes and I must bring a doctor's diagnosis slip.

This is my first teaching job in Korea. Is this usual way that FTs are treated when we're sick?

I am seriously considering resigning tomorrow if my co-teacher doesn't apologize for all the things that she said this morning.

How should I handle this situation?

kurva anjad · Joined: 19 Apr 2007

Call in sick tomorrow. You get fifteen sick days.

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

Colorado · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:42 pm Post subject:

If you're sick you should go to the doctor. Ask the doctor if you need to stay home. If he says yes, get it in writing to show your school. If he says no, get your lazy butt to school.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Calling in sick in Korea is frowned upon.

poet13 · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject:

"If you're sick you should go to the doctor. "

Maybe you're just playing devils advocate, or maybe you're Korean. I got a nick from one of those little click blade things the other day, and my co-teacher said I must go to the hospital. I pinched it closed for five minutes, and it was done.

One doesn't need to run to a doctor for every little thing. I took a sick day just after christmas simply because I had 'unpredictable' diarhea. I didn't feel sick. I didn't have a temperature. My stomach didn't hurt. I wasn't dizzy. I just had to run to the john every 20 minutes...but with less than ten seconds warning before eruption. It passed in the early afternoon. Doctor? Hell no.

OP. Turn your phone off. If you feel well enough to work tomorrow, work. If you don't, don't. Check your contract. I think mine actually wants a note for even a day (yes, public school), but I don't recall. If you need a note, get a note. If you don't, ignore your co-teacher. If he or she is foolish enough to come to your home to accost you, throw up on them.

Get well soon.

kurva anjad · Joined: 19 Apr 2007

Colorado · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:59 pm Post subject:

poet13 · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:19 pm Post subject:

"The doctor could have given you something for the runs and your co-teachers wouldn't have had to cover your classes."

And I would likely have shat myself a couple of times on the way to the doctors....

Yes, my co-teachers cover my classes....and I cover theirs. I'm at about +15 in the class covering department.

Colorado · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject:

poet13 · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject:

Thank you, I am. Mid-terms. Laughing

JD1982 · Joined: 19 Apr 2007

Thanks for all the advice.

After hugging the toilet all night and morning, I just returned from seeing a cool Korean doctor who studied in the US and spoke almost flawless English (but with accent).

I told him about my symptoms and what happened with my co-teacher this morning. He laughed and told me pretty much that that's the Korean way like some of you said.

While I was lying down on the meat table, the doctor started to do the poking in my abdomin and I almost lost it like the Poet13 said it would.

His diagonosis is that I have acute gastroreitis from consuming contaminated food or water with severe dehydration from vomitting and diaharrea.

The doctor gave me a shot and a prescription which I just filled which includes 6 different pill per dose. Shocked

He also gave me 2 or 3 days off slip to take to school where the third day being my discretion. If I still feel ill, I don't have to go to work on third day.

And concerning my sick leave in my contract, it does say that I have 15 sick leaves and I don't have to provide them with medical certificate unless the absence is 7 days or more. I just don't understand Koreans' behavior...... Rolling Eyes

I'm just going to rest up and recoop for two days for sure. But for the third day, should I take that day off too?

JJJ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Location: Seoul

"I'm just going to rest up and recoop for two days for sure. But for the third day, should I take that day off too?"

Why not, you got the note. You are safe. Might as well take it easy. If you say you have mid terms now...that means your sitting around doing nothing all day anyhow. Relax.

I also have these supposed 15 days but it is really difficult to use them at my school. K elementary teachers do use them but I supposedly can not. Oh well, 4 months to go.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

I'd wait and see how you feel. It all depends on your make up and how you react to the meds. The pills might work super quick and you'll be raring to go back to work on the third day OR you might still feel bad and need the extra day.

If your "supervisor" wants to know if you will take all three days off, tell her you can't predict the future Laughing

ilovebdt