Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

Koreans Work Longest in OECD
The average Korean employee worked more than 45 hours per week last year, believed to be the longest in the world, according to a recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). According to the study, Koreans spent an average of 2,351 hours at work in 2005, which translates to 45.21 hours per week, about five hours more than the statutory working hours of 40 hours per week set by the government.
Korea Times (July 23, 2006)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200607/kt2006072319420811900.htm

OECD Warns Korea of Low-Growth Trap
Although rapid economic growth has boosted per-capita income in Korea to two-thirds of the OECD average, its labor productivity is only 40 percent of the U.S. and the fourth lowest among OECD countries, the report points out.
Chosun Ilbo (October 5, 2005)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200510/200510050006.html

International comparison of income and productivity levels
United States = 100
AUS = Australia
KOR = Korea

http://www.oecd.org/oecd/images/portal/cit_731/30/22/34038606fig1_3_E.gif
Economic Survey of Australia 2004: Economic performance and key challenges
http://www.oecd.org/document/29/0,2340,en_2649_201185_34037213_1_1_1_1,00.html

[Kimchieluver]

No wonder marijuana is not tolerated here.

[Juregen]

I just love Belgium

Work smart, not hard!

[Guri Guy]

In Korea it seems to be work Harder not Smarter. A substansional portion of this extra work is from the old" Stay until the boss leaves" idea.

Interesting to see their work productivity is so low. There are always business men drunk in my neighbourhood on any day of the week. Perhaps there is a connection?

[Benicio]

The Yangpa hit the nail on the head with this one:

Korea Tops Global Busyness Index
The nation� s leisure deficit reached new highs this quarter despite economic slowdown and job shortages. Hospitals report that ulcers, hernias, migraines, suicides and overall shortages of well-being have reached epidemic proportions, testifying to the strain on Korea �s dynamism. Extreme busyness struck at the heart of the economic sector this Friday when Kim Young Joon, president of WonderMagiCom Inc. was reported missing two weeks earlier by his concerned family. Police questioning at locals bars, PC-rooms and room-salons had turned up no sign of him, but the case broke wide open when office secretaries reported a strange odor emanating from his office at WonderMagiCom headquarters. Mr. Kim was found emaciated, weak and severely dehydrated at his desk, apparently suffering from extreme busyness. He initially refused treatment, muttering the company �s inspirational slogan, �Let� s have a good shape of our well times. � He protested � I can�t leave! I have too much work to do! � but relented when police pointed out that his desktop computer was still in its original wrapping. In a bizarre twist, no evidence of actual work was found at the scene. Mr. Kim was taken to hospital where he was treated, pronounced in stable condition, and will remain under observation if staff can find a moment to spare.

�Oh, I envy him�� sighed Vice President Lee Tae Gun. �I could use a vacation. It�s touching that his family contacted the police. I was once stapled to my desk for three weeks before one of the cleaners found me and brought me a staple remover. I should have ordered one myself but I just didn�t have time.�

In other business news, stocks in Naver, Cyworld, World of Warcraft and Lineage continue their robust growth.

[Juregen]

now that is funny

it is a funny isn't it?

[huffdaddy]

[Benicio]

Koreans also count drinking with the boss & co-workers, as well as sleeping it off in the office rest area the next morning, as "work".