Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xCustomx]

For teachers who work in public schools and get 15 sick days a year, do you ever use them when you're not actually sick?
I know next Tuesday is Teacher's day and a lot of people have this day off. Are you going to call in 'sick' on Monday and have a 4 day weekend?

I have the same question regarding May 24th, which lies on a Thursday. I'm tempted to be 'sick' on the 25th.

My biggest problem however lies in July, because I booked a plane ticket on the last Friday before vacation starts. I will of course have to lie to the school and tell them that I am sick on that day so that I can catch my flight. Do other public school teachers do this?

[patongpanda]

I booked flight on a Thursday 'cos it was the only one available.
I will lose two days pay.

Apart from ethical considerations won't your sickies be a little bit obvious?

[Bibbitybop]

Depends on the school. Go by the contract. Many say you don't need a doctor's note until you are sick 5 days in a row.

Some schools frown upon taking sick days and profess that Koreans don't use them. Other schools don't care. Some of my friends have called in sick 10 times in the last year, all for hangovers (pansies).

If you ARE sick and they give you crap, hold up the contract. Also, Korean teachers are known to stop by your apartment to "check on you." Some really do care, some want to see if you are sick.

[xCustomx]

[pkang0202]

My principal is giving all the teachers the 24th off to give them a 4 day weekend. Lucky me!

Also, I don't get Teacher's day off because I will be in Suwon for the stupid GEPIK training. Because of that, I asked my school if I could take that Friday off and they said sure.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Using sick days when they're not absolutely necessary is the best way to earn a terrible reputation at your school, regardless of whether you're a Korean or foreigner. Go ahead and give yourself a four-day weekend while all your co-workers have to cover your classes and watch your respect level plumet.

[JD1982]

[Julius]

I took 4 sick days last year (although none of them were actually sick). No doctors note is required by GEPIK contract unless you're sick for over 5 days in a row.

[bobbybigfoot]

You guys are the reason that Koreans hate giving sick days. Too much abuse.

Job ethics are very low, IMO, if you you call in sick for the hell of it.

It is precisely this "I don't give a sh*t attitude" that leads to all the nonsense (on both sides). Employers don't respect the employees; the employees don't respect the employer.

Because of this, I have to wade through countless contracts to hopefully find one decent school that isn't totally jaded by foreigners.

Keep it up. keep calling in sick.

[ChuckECheese]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[ajgeddes]

Aside from being unethical, it is pretty obvious. Last year at my school, I was told I had Thursday, Friday and Monday off of work giving me a 5 days weekend. So, I decided to go to Hong Kong. Anyways, Monday rolls around and they told me that I would now have to come to work on the Thursday, it was just no longer a teaching day. Anyways, I ended up calling in sick that day. They never mentioned it to me.

[rawiri]

I would feel quite guilty about taking sick days. also, my coteachers are all pretty shiit at teaching english (bar 1) so it's not fair to the kids as well really.

[JJJ]

I am for changing this whole 'sick' day thing and calling it a 'personal' day. Cut it from 10-15 or whatever and give us 5/6 personal days. You can use them anytime but then they are gone and you will not get paid for any additional days. (Of course there should be some clause that states if you get into an accident or in the hospital for long periods of time)

I have never used one until I asked 2 months in advance for a vacation day...just one. Trying to be nice...I know, I should have called in sick. Anyhow, was flatly rejected, contract in my face again and general bad attitude given to me by the V-P. Korean teachers do use them as I found out later. In the past 2 months, I have now used 3 sick days. However, I only use them when I know there will be no classes like a sports day or the science fair. Still trying to be Mr. Nice.

So, I think if we had personal days we could get rid of a thread like this and concentrate on our happiness and mental health.

[spliff]

If you're to sick to come in and perform you job then take a sick day. If you're not sick then come in. Simple as that. Sick days are not provided for you to abuse them...grow up, for gawds sake!