Sexual Harassment
I've been geared up all week to write an extensive account of our Cinco de Mayo festival in the alley behind our building last weekend, but something so ludicrous happened at work today that I feel like it has gained priority and I need to share it.
We all had to come into work early today to watch a sexual harassment video. The video viewing was mandated by the Korean Ministry of Labor. The reason for the mandate was explained as follows: "There was an incident with a woman who no longer works with us. She reported an incident to the Ministry of Labor...and...and...it's complicated." Through word of mouth I have heard the woman was one of the "helper" teachers who essentially work at our school for twenty minutes a day, directing the kindergarteners to the buses and riding in the bus with them home. I know no more.
It seems fair to assume that the incident would involve one of the old Korean men who drive the buses, but they were not in attendance at the viewing. Also, if the gossip is true, it seems like the "helper" ladies should have been in attendance as well. They were not.
All of us teachers, both foreign and Korean, piled into a room at 2:30 to watch a short video which would hopefully explain to us the harms of sexual harassment (or give us pointers as I had hoped.) The mood was anything but professional. I witnessed (and took part in) more sexual harassment in the thirty minutes in the classroom than I have seen or heard in my eight months here.
There were numerous problems with the dvd/computer setup, which gave us more time to sexually harass each other. I suggested we do some role playing on stage. I asked some of my co-workers if they wanted to make out during the movie. We talked about butt-touching, boob-staring, penis-licking, etc.
The video was scheduled for 2:30 so we could all be in class by 3:00 when most classes start. The setup finally got up and going at about 2:58. We sat in the dark and made crass comments while a Korean woman on screen spoke Korean. The only thing I understood on the screen was "annyong haseo" at the very beginning which means "hello." The rest of the time, I listened to the incredibly inappropriate comments that were being made throughout the audience. It was actually a really fun, bonding experience for the lot of us. The video was on for just long enough to take pictures to send to the Ministry of Labor and then we were all out of there in time to teach class.
I was amazed a the encounter for a few reasons. In the States, I feel like a claim of sexual harassment would be taken very seriously, but here, it was laughable to all parties involved. I was also amazed at the willingness to laugh in the government's face. They mandated we watch a video to fix our behavior, but they had us all sign the paper and get the hell out of there as soon as there was photo evidence of the viewing taking place. They can't tell us what to do. We shalln't respect their authoritie.
I dig this country and its willingness to allow boob-staring in the workplace...
Much Love from Seoul
We all had to come into work early today to watch a sexual harassment video. The video viewing was mandated by the Korean Ministry of Labor. The reason for the mandate was explained as follows: "There was an incident with a woman who no longer works with us. She reported an incident to the Ministry of Labor...and...and...it's complicated." Through word of mouth I have heard the woman was one of the "helper" teachers who essentially work at our school for twenty minutes a day, directing the kindergarteners to the buses and riding in the bus with them home. I know no more.
It seems fair to assume that the incident would involve one of the old Korean men who drive the buses, but they were not in attendance at the viewing. Also, if the gossip is true, it seems like the "helper" ladies should have been in attendance as well. They were not.
All of us teachers, both foreign and Korean, piled into a room at 2:30 to watch a short video which would hopefully explain to us the harms of sexual harassment (or give us pointers as I had hoped.) The mood was anything but professional. I witnessed (and took part in) more sexual harassment in the thirty minutes in the classroom than I have seen or heard in my eight months here.
There were numerous problems with the dvd/computer setup, which gave us more time to sexually harass each other. I suggested we do some role playing on stage. I asked some of my co-workers if they wanted to make out during the movie. We talked about butt-touching, boob-staring, penis-licking, etc.
The video was scheduled for 2:30 so we could all be in class by 3:00 when most classes start. The setup finally got up and going at about 2:58. We sat in the dark and made crass comments while a Korean woman on screen spoke Korean. The only thing I understood on the screen was "annyong haseo" at the very beginning which means "hello." The rest of the time, I listened to the incredibly inappropriate comments that were being made throughout the audience. It was actually a really fun, bonding experience for the lot of us. The video was on for just long enough to take pictures to send to the Ministry of Labor and then we were all out of there in time to teach class.
I was amazed a the encounter for a few reasons. In the States, I feel like a claim of sexual harassment would be taken very seriously, but here, it was laughable to all parties involved. I was also amazed at the willingness to laugh in the government's face. They mandated we watch a video to fix our behavior, but they had us all sign the paper and get the hell out of there as soon as there was photo evidence of the viewing taking place. They can't tell us what to do. We shalln't respect their authoritie.
I dig this country and its willingness to allow boob-staring in the workplace...
Much Love from Seoul
posted by Kyle at 12:44 AM
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