Talent Management

Employee seeks 8 days’ leave, gets termination threat

November 19, 2025
www.ETHRWorld.com
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  • Published On Nov 19, 2025 at 11:16 PM IST

< />Across many fast-paced corporate environments, especially those with rigid hierarchies, employees who avoid confrontation often struggle to push back against excessive workloads. A recent case from South Korea became a talking point for netizens after a foreign employee said she lost her job simply for requesting eight days of leave.<br><br><!– PROMOSLOT_M –>The woman, Rebecca, explained through her Instagram post titled “Lost my job in Korea” that she had been struggling with an intense work schedule and very low pay. She said she was regularly assigned tasks right when she was about to log off for the day, and her boss often checked on her progress every few minutes. According to her, messages asking whether she had finished her work came roughly every 15 minutes, creating constant pressure.<br><br><!– PROMOSLOT_M –><div class=” article-detail-ad-slot=”” captionrendered=”1″ data-src=”https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/125443821.cms” height=”442″ loading=”eager” src=”https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/images/default.jpg” width=”590″></img></p> </div> <p>After dealing with these conditions for months, she finally asked for eight days of leave. She mentioned that instead of receiving approval, she was told that her employment would be terminated. Rebecca described the situation as an example of what happens when employees with calmer or “soft” personalities do not push back, saying it results in people taking advantage of them. Her post also highlighted that many Korean companies reportedly limit leave to five days at a time, making her request outside the usual practice.</p> <h2>Netizens React to Her Story</h2> <p>Her account brought a wave of reactions from Instagram users, many of whom supported her and said the incident exposes how foreign workers can be vulnerable in strict corporate environments. Some users appreciated her patience and the effort she put into her job despite the circumstances. Others pointed out that her experience shows why it is important for professionals to set boundaries early, noting that employees who hesitate to assert themselves often end up dealing with more pressure.</p> </p></div> <p>One commenter urged her to treat the incident as a lesson in maintaining boundaries to prevent employers from misusing an employee’s flexibility. Another reassured her that she deserved the leave she requested and should avoid labelling herself as “soft” because the situation was not her fault. A different user wrote that losing the job might ultimately work in her favour, encouraging her to view the change as an opportunity to move forward. </p> <div> <div> <ul> <li><a href=ET Online

  • Published On Nov 19, 2025 at 11:16 PM IST

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