Half of workers receive work calls during vacation: survey

A significant portion of South Korean workers, nearly half, experience work-related contact while on vacation, according to a recent survey. The study by Jikjanggapjil119, a workplace rights group, found that 48.8% of 1,000 adult workers polled between June 1 and 9 reported receiving such calls or messages.

Of those contacted, more than half ended up handling work tasks. This included processing work from their vacation spot, home, or a cafe (37.7%), or even returning to their workplace or site (15.8%). This means a total of 53.5% of workers who received contact during their leave actually performed work. In contrast, only 15.6% managed to defer tasks by informing their contacts they were on vacation.

The survey also highlighted disparities. Middle managers reported the highest rate of contact at 69.8%, followed by those with over five years at their current company (57.1%). Employees in their 30s and 40s also reported higher rates of contact. Conversely, those with lower incomes were more likely to return to work physically, suggesting a lack of colleagues or remote work tools contributes to this trend.

Jikjanggapjil119 is advocating for legislative action, pointing to two failed attempts in 2024 to pass a bill prohibiting work contact during leave. They argue that a "right to disconnect" must be legally guaranteed to protect employees' rest and well-being.

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We must legally guarantee the 'right to disconnect.'