‘Not my job’: South Koreans reveal most disliked office phrases in new survey

Title: ‘Not my job’: South Koreans reveal most disliked office phrases in new survey

Intro: The findings highlight tension and communication gaps in Korean workplaces.

Meta: A new survey reveals the workplace phrases South Koreans dread most, revealing communication gaps between bosses and employees.

What are South Korean employees most afraid of hearing? A recent survey lists some common phrases many workers dread at work,  reflecting persistent communication barriers and tensions with leadership in Korea's workplace.

The poll, conducted by the state-owned Daejeon City Corporation, asked employees two questions: "What's the one thing you least want to hear from your boss?" And "What comments or behaviors from subordinates bother you most?"

When it came to remarks from superiors, 46% of respondents said the worst thing to hear was "You take responsibility for this," often interpreted as a way for bosses to shift blame onto subordinates. 

Another 31% said they disliked being told, "Just do as I say," describing it as too authoritarian. Meanwhile, "Is this all you can do?" ranked third at 25%, with respondents viewing it as a form of harsh criticism and public humiliation.

Other phrases frequently mentioned were related to bosses who issue orders but later deny them (22%), lead by words rather than example (21%), belittle the work of others (20%), and cling to outdated practices (18%)

When it came to co-workers, the respondents expressed frustration over the lack of accountability.

The most disliked phrase was "This isn't my job" at 42%, followed by "Why should I do this" at 35.3%, and "I don't know how to do that" at 28.9%.  

The findings come as the South Korean government continues its efforts to enact labour reforms as the nation adapts to changing workplace expectations. In August, the Gyeonggi provincial government launched a pilot program reducing the work week to 4.5 days through 2027. Officials hope the initiative will give workers more time for personal and family matters. 

Separately, South Korea's National Assembly passed new legislation expanding protections for subcontracted workers. The new law allows labour unions to take their grievances directly to client companies and prevents employers from claiming damages for losses caused by labour strikes.