Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicwr2002]

This is a question regarding how break times are to be taken. Let's say that I work a standard 1 to 10 hagwon job. Can the employer mandate that I take my hour break from 1 to 2?

[PRagic]

Probably depends on how the classes are scheduled, so if they're asking you to take your break from 1-2, they're not the sharpest sticks in the pile when it comes to scheduling.

Would be inconvenient unless you could just then start work at 2 rather than 1, the downside being you'd have no dinner break (see below: you may qualify for a 30 minute break after 4 hours of work, though).

TTompatz knows the labour laws inside and out, so he'll be able to more precisely advise. I think the law just states that you get a one hour break, not necessarily when that hour must be used. I ran a search, and all I could find was that according to labour law, breaks must be mutually agreed upon.

Worknplay has this on their website:

Break Time: You should be getting a one hour break for every eight hours you work. Work for 4 hours and you should get a 30 minute rest. Unfortunately the rest period is not included in the on-duty hours. Most of companies provide a one hour lunch break forcing the on-duty hours from 9:00-18:00. If you don’t like eating lunch at lunch time, you are free to take your break(s) as you see fit, although some employers will stipulate lunch time in the contract.

[nicwr2002]

It isn't a big deal for me, but I was just wondering about it. You are right though, they are saying to just begin work at 2, but then there isn't a break in the evening.

[PRagic]

By law, you're still supposed to get a 30 minute break after 4 hours of work. Double check that.

[Superawesomefuntime]

I wonder if certain companies take advantage of the fact that expats don't know the laws very welll. I bet this happens quite a lot.