One in Three Office Workers Works Overtime Without Getting Paid

Three out of 10 office workers were found to be putting in overtime without receiving commensurate pay. Workplace Bullying 119 commissioned a survey on the state of overtime pay and awareness of the lump-sum wage system (a pay scheme in which overtime allowances are included in advance in a fixed amount), covering 1,000 office workers aged 19 or older nationwide from September 1 to 7, and released the results on the 1st.

According to the survey, 44.9% of respondents said premium pay for extended, holiday, and night work was fully provided, while 30.7% said it was not. Asked why they were not receiving premium pay, 38.4% of the 307 respondents cited the 'lump-sum wage system,' followed by payment not provided as a matter of custom (20.2%) and payment provided but capped at a set limit (19.9%).

The survey also examined what happens when employees work beyond the overtime hours already covered under the lump-sum wage system. Only 8.5% said they received additional pay in such cases, while 69.1% said they did not.

Some 71.1% of respondents said the lump-sum wage system should be banned, while 28.3% agreed with the system.

Labor attorney Park Eun-ha of Workplace Bullying 119 pointed out, "This shows that the lump-sum wage system is undermining fair compensation for overtime work and functioning as a factor behind so-called 'free overtime.'" She stressed, "To fundamentally prevent the misuse and abuse of the lump-sum wage system, it should be banned and a clear legal basis should be established so that wages are calculated and paid according to actual working hours."