Workaholic Koreans

Home > National > Diplomacy

print dictionary print

Workaholic Koreans

This week, one of our readers, Edward Franklin Burkett, wrote to ask about Korean customs:

Q:
I have a Korean friend who just took a job with a company. His work hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. During lunchtime, he has to eat with his department manager every day.

At 6 p.m., they often go out to eat together; he doesn’t like drinking but has to drink. Sometimes, they order food and eat in the office. His manager would request a coffee break, which lasts about 40 minutes. My friend never finishes up before 10:30 p.m., and he has to get up at 6:30 a.m. just to make it to work by 8:30.

My questions are: 1) Does he have any freedom to eat alone or with others besides the boss? 2) What happens if he doesn’t want to drink? 3) At 6 p.m., when his work ends, can he go home to his family or wherever he wants? 4) In the Korean work system, what is considered “overtime”? And does he get paid in money or time off?

A:
Typical Korean corporate culture is based on Korea’s old values and unique experiences shared by Korean men in particular. Most Korean men spent time serving in the army, and they tend to adhere to a conservative, military regime-like system at work. It is regarded as normal, especially for newcomers, to be part of the conformist group and its collective behavior, endorsed by both superiors and peers. Drinking, for example, is dubbed “an extension of work,” as it encourages “bonding” among staffers. Most companies issue expense accounts to managers to pay for staff gatherings, although no one gets compensated for additional work or hours.

While some say such an industrious aspect of Korean men and their dedication to their company drove Korea to become one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, the new generation finds it ancient, selfless and even inefficient. Nowadays, many companies are adopting more open and individualistic systems.
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)