Korea Office Culture

November 3, 2022

Rank, Rank, Rank

If you are going or planning to work in Korea, Korea seems to be a whole new world in terms of office positions. Work titles are important in Korea, so even if you don’t remember the names of your colleagues, make sure you use proper titles when addressing them. They would probably forgive you if you forgot and just use their names to be friendly, but addressing them right titles will earn you respect and good favor. That is why it’s very important to remember the position of the person you are talking with. Remember that age sometimes doesn’t really matter in the office: the rank and the seniority are.

So What are the Office Rank in Korea?

Here is the general list of positions:

• 사장(님) : President/ CEO/ Boss
• 부장(님): Head of Department
• 차장(님): Deputy Head of Department
• 과장(님): Head of Section
• 대리(님): Deputy Head of Section
• 팀장(님): Team Leader
• and then the rest of the staff ( 팀원,  team member): you can just call their names (don’t forget to add “씨” (ssi) if you are one of them

Drink and Be Merry!

Why do Koreans drink so heavily? Koreans think that if one drinks, the others could see his true personality and when someone drinks, they could be friendlier and approachable. So alcohol consumption is important part in socializing. Koreans also do not recognize the ‘Go-dutch’ paying system, although this changes recently with young workers. Usually someone’s older than the rest of the group will pay the tab for all. Sounds unfair? People get turns to pay the bill. Those who don’t, can pay the bill on the next meeting. or next bar/ coffee.

What if you don’t drink? Well, you can still go with them and drink very few, but unless you have a very convincing reason not to (due to bad health) rejecting an invitation may gradually cause you a serious social relationship damage among co-workers.

Here is a few etiquette tips for drinking:

• While pouring a drink, one must use their two hands; hold the bottle with the right hand and the left supporting the other or put in the chest. This goes the same when receiving, one has to use both hands while receiving the drink.
• Never drink facing one’s superior (by title or by age). Turn the body either backward or 90 degrees, as long as the person next to them is also not one’s superior.
• Be particularly attentive when other’s glass is empty, especially the superior’s. One doesn’t have to offer, as he will mostly receive, but always be ready to fill in superior’s glass once it’s empty.
• When drinking with a superior, tell the person that one wants to pour a drink, by being ready with a bottle in hand. The superior will receive and drink ‘one shot’, and then he will do the same. One also has to drink with the same glass and finish it ‘one shot’.
• ‘One shot’ means drinking the drink in one gulp. Also known as ‘bottom’s up’. In Korean it’s 간배 (Ganbae) or 위하여 (wihayeo, for someone’s health, or any other things that the office is currently support)

Overtime and Go Home “On Time” Culture

Slowly, slowly, don’t make a sound….

Korean companies don’t usually pay overtime hours, while most workers have to stay late for work, without any pay. This is normal, and you might want to ask first before applying for work, so that you’ll know whether you will get overtime payment or not. Many companies don’t, so don’t feel discouraged if you have to work in a company which doesn’t pay you overtime. “칼 퇴근” (going home on time) is very hard to come by in Korea. Some workers even wait until their boss go home, no matter what time it is. Getting home exactly at 6 p.m. is not unlawful in office sense, but it is a bit frowned upon. You might want to analyze the other workers first whether they can go home early, and staying a bit later, for example until 6:30 p.m. will save you lots of frowning faces.

Communal Snacks and Coffee Culture

This is probably one of the best Korean office culture 😀 It’s very common for guest to bring small gifts of foods or snacks whenever they drop by an office for a business visit. The most common gift to bring are usually sweet goods like cake or donuts that can be shared by many so it will be very helpful if you have sweet tooth. Sometimes the gifts also change depending on season, for example in summer watermelon and ice cream are common, and in winter is hot coffee or the usual donuts and cakes. The food is usually eaten after the guest have left but it’s also not uncommon to eat it together (with the guests).

Usually after lunch, office workers go for a (take-out) coffee, followed by a simple walk back to the office. Although you might have things to do, it is recommended that you follow them, and use the opportunity to get to know your colleague better.

Make Yourself At Home: Toothbrush, Slippers and Blanket

We spend on average 9 hours in the office, and you might want to stuff some of your items handy in the office for daily use. Things to stock include: toothbrush (in a case, with toothpaste), rubber slippers, and blanket to warm your lap in wintertime, or a scarf or a sarong for summer. They might be just small things but it’s always good to bring something to help you feel more comfortable at work. Bringing something personal from home like small plants or family photo might also help boost energy you need to work.

So, how do you like working in Korea? 😀 if you come across any more tips, do let me know so I can add it to the list! 😀

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