Medical certificates for your employer
When illness means time off, documentary proof reduces the risk of being penalised.
What to prepare
- A medical certificate or clinical opinion — stating the diagnosis and the rest or treatment period needed.
- Admission and discharge certificates if you were hospitalised
- Attendance certificates if you continue outpatient treatment
- Industrial accident documents where applicable — see industrial-accident-report
Getting it issued
- Say at the consultation that you need a document for your employer.
- Ask for the required rest period to be stated — that is what the employer most wants to know.
- Collect it at the administration office.
- Keep a copy before submitting it.
Submitting it
- Submit by text or email where possible, so there is a record.
- State clearly the dates you will be off.
- Whether it is treated as annual or sick leave depends on company rules. Check the work rules.
If you were hurt at work
Never let it be processed as ordinary illness. It must be handled as an industrial accident for treatment costs and absence benefits to be paid.
- Tell the doctor you were injured at work.
- Ask 1588-0075 (Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service) about claiming.
- Even if the company refuses, you can claim yourself. See accident-employer-refusal.
Where to go
- The administration office of the treating hospital
- 1588-0075 Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (conditions and unfair treatment)
- 1577-0071 Foreign Workforce Support Centre
- 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation
Questions people ask
The company won't accept the certificate. Consult 1350. Sick leave handling and unfair disadvantage are within their scope.
I was dismissed for taking sick leave. Dismissal without just cause can be challenged. In particular, dismissal is restricted during treatment for a work-related injury. Consult 1350 immediately. See termination-rules.
Who pays for the certificate? Usually you do. If an industrial accident is recognised, ask the Workers' Compensation service about handling the cost.
It's hard to explain to my employer in Korean. Use the 1577-1366 three-way interpretation call, or send a photo of the document by text.
Take care
Simply saying you are ill and not turning up can become grounds for dismissal. Always notify in advance and leave documentation. Even if you cannot get to a hospital, sending a text explaining the situation creates a record, and that matters.
Related
medical-certificate · industrial-accident-report · accident-employer-refusal · termination-rules
Source
Ministry of Employment and Labour www.moel.go.kr / As of 2026-08