Korean Job Discussion Forums

[murmanjake]

My girlfriend is in almost the same boat. Except she had to work saturday and sunday, and then saturday of the next week. And this was from the start of her job, 13 days in a row! Luckily she has next weekend off. For now at least.

[Triban]

Don't you hate it? I feel horrible for her...and it is always seriously putting a cramp in our weekend plans/vacation. We got into a fight over vacation because she didn't want me staying longer by myself...oh well.

[happiness]

japan used to be more like that, but thats very common in Korea. Putting on the appearance of working hard and long is sometimes (possibly) more important than the working itself.

My WeongJang owns a few schools so doesnt show up at ours when she does, all the girls are whipping the kids thru speech drills, holding up English reading books in plain view of the boss to see, and make sure they walk in line like good little soliders. I always smile a bit more.

Its kind of like sucking in your gut when you see a cute girl and as soon as she passes, letting it out

[zakuta]

Well, as far as overtime pay is concerned, Samsung already started paying it since 2010. But the question is, many employees are reluctant to apply for it as it hurts their integrity & the boss would think they are staying late for money & are not honest towards the company! Unbelievable, right?

As far as the 'staying till your boss leaves' culture is concerned, it's not changing anytime soon. It comes straight from the military, & this strong hierarchical culture which has made people stronger than policies is quite bothersome for the younger lot.

That is why you see a lot more Koreans trying to run off to greener pastures or trying to get government jobs. It's a pity to see this, & worse thing is being part of this culture. Yes many foreigners do leave early, but that is only a handful & sadly they don't have a long term career here (i am sure they are not looking forward to it either!).

That said, i think this work late habit is developed in the school days for Koreans, never have i seen school kids anywhere in the world walking streets in school uniform @ 22:00 hours!

SIGH! Korea, land of 4 seasons

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

Koreans need to stay in Korea and fight this rather than fleeing to the west. Stay here and fix your own problems. Nothing will change until these people actually get some balls and tell these Chaebols to stuff it where the sun don't shine. All I can say is that I'm glad I'm not part of the Korean work culture.

[legrande]

[hondaicivic]

[flakfizer]

[Slowmotion]