Gangnam Dental Clinic Faces Potential Fine After Demanding‌ ₩1.8 ⁤Million From Departing Employee

seoul, South Korea ⁢- A dental clinic in‌ Gangnam is under scrutiny after ⁤allegedly demanding​ ₩1.8⁢ million (approximately⁢ $1,350 USD) in compensation from a recently resigned employee who⁢ left her position after only two days.The case ‌highlights a recurring issue of illegal contractual clauses⁤ used by employers to penalize workers for leaving thier jobs or⁤ for minor infractions like tardiness,despite explicit prohibitions under South Korean labour law.

The ⁣incident underscores a widespread lack of awareness among workers regarding their rights, enabling employers to exploit⁢ loopholes and impose unlawful financial penalties.According ⁤to the ​Labor standards ‍Act, clauses seeking compensation ‍for failing to comply wiht‌ a resignation notice or deducting wages for ‍issues like tardiness⁢ are invalid and can result in fines of up to ₩5‍ million (approximately $3,750 USD) for employers. Despite this,similar cases continue to surface,leaving employees vulnerable to financial ‍exploitation.

The former employee, whose⁣ name has not been publicly released, reportedly ‌signed an employment contract⁣ containing a clause requiring financial compensation ⁤should‌ she leave ⁢before⁤ a specified period. After tendering her resignation just two days into the job, the clinic allegedly demanded ₩1.8 million to cover training costs and lost profits.

Labor attorney Ha Eun-seong of ‍Saetbyul Labor Attorneys ‌Office stated, “This is‍ a case of abuse targeting the fact that it⁤ is indeed challenging for ordinary workers to know that these regulations are illegal.” He ⁢emphasized, “forcing people to pay a pre-steadfast amount of damages is a violation of the Labor Standards‌ Act.”

Park seong-woo, a ⁢labor ‌attorney⁢ at Workplace Gapjil 119, further warned that “the act of forcing workers to sign⁤ prior compensation agreements is itself a‍ crime.” ‌He called for increased oversight and guidance from the Labor Office to prevent such abuses.

The Ministry of ⁤Employment and​ Labor has not yet ⁣commented on ‍this specific​ case but is expected to investigate following increased public attention. Legal​ experts advise any employee facing similar demands to⁣ seek ‌counsel from a labor attorney and report the incident to the Labor‌ Office.