What to Do if You Get Injured at Work in Korea as a TEFL Teacher?
As a TEFL teacher in Korea, your work environment may feel safe most of the time. However, accidents can happen anywhere, including at school. If you get injured at work, it’s important to know your rights and the necessary steps to take to ensure proper compensation. Here’s a guide to help you understand what to do if you’re injured while working in Korea.
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
It’s essential to visit a hospital as soon as you’re injured, no matter how minor the injury may seem. In the rush of daily work, it can be tempting to ignore the injury and hope it heals on its own, but this can lead to complications later. Immediate medical attention not only prevents further health issues but also serves as crucial evidence when filing for compensation. The sooner you seek medical help, the easier it will be to establish a connection between your injury and your work.
For instance, if you strain your back while lifting heavy materials for a lesson and initially think it’s just a minor sprain, it could worsen into a more severe condition like a herniated disc. If you delay going to the hospital, the school or the compensation authority may question whether the injury was truly work-related, making it harder to get your claim approved.
2. Be Honest and Detailed About How the Injury Happened
When you visit the hospital, the doctor will ask how the injury occurred. It’s important to explain the situation truthfully and in detail, as the doctor’s records will be reviewed during the compensation process. These medical records, especially the first diagnosis, are vital when filing a workplace injury claim (산재).
In some cases, schools may pressure teachers to lie about the injury, telling them to say it happened at home rather than at work. Some schools may even go as far as asking you to change your clothes before going to the hospital to hide any evidence that it was a work-related injury. Do not follow these instructions. Falsifying your statement can complicate your ability to receive compensation later and may lead to legal troubles. If your school asks you to do this, it’s a red flag that you might want to consider looking for a more reputable employer.
3. Who Pays for Medical Bills and Compensation?
In Korea, employers are responsible for compensating employees who suffer work-related injuries. If your employer is reluctant to pay or lacks the means to do so, you can claim compensation through the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (산재보험). This insurance is a mandatory social safety net designed to protect employees, including TEFL teachers, from financial hardship due to workplace injuries.
It’s important to note that the premium for industrial accident insurance is entirely paid by the employer. It is not deducted from your salary. So, if you’re injured at work, you won’t have to worry about covering any part of this insurance premium yourself. The insurance is in place to ensure that workers are covered without any financial burden.
Even if your school hasn’t registered for industrial accident insurance, you’re still entitled to receive compensation. The insurance is automatically applicable to all workplaces with employees, and failure to register only results in penalties for the employer, not the employee. You will still be eligible for full compensation regardless.
4. File the Compensation Claim Yourself
One common misconception is that your school will handle your injury claim for you. While your school is responsible for enrolling in the insurance and paying the premiums, the process of filing a claim is your responsibility as the employee. You must file the claim directly with the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (근로복지공단).
Even if your school offers to file on your behalf, it’s in your best interest to do it yourself. When schools handle the filing, they may underreport the circumstances of the accident, potentially minimizing their liability. This can harm your chances of winning additional compensation if you later decide to sue the school for negligence.
5. Get Help from Korean-Speaking Friends or Colleagues
Filing a workplace injury claim in Korea can be challenging for non-Korean speakers due to the language barrier. Many of the forms and procedures will be in Korean, and while some government services may offer limited assistance in English, navigating the system can be difficult without translation help. This is where having Korean-speaking friends or colleagues can be incredibly helpful.
Ask for their assistance when filling out forms or communicating with hospital staff and insurance agencies. They can help translate important documents and guide you through the process, ensuring that nothing gets lost in translation. If you don’t have someone you can rely on for this, consider seeking assistance from support organizations or online communities that cater to expatriates in Korea. Having a fluent Korean speaker by your side will make the process much smoother and help avoid misunderstandings or delays in your claim.
Final Thoughts
If you get injured while working as a TEFL teacher in Korea, taking the proper steps immediately can make a significant difference in receiving fair compensation. Always seek medical help as soon as possible, tell the truth about how the injury occurred, and file your own claim to ensure that your rights are fully protected. Additionally, enlisting the help of Korean-speaking friends can ease the complexities of navigating the compensation process in a foreign language. Most importantly, remember that the costs of industrial accident insurance are fully covered by your employer, ensuring you can access compensation without financial stress.
By following these steps, you’ll be better prepared in case of an accident, ensuring your well-being and financial stability while working in Korea.
