SK hynix headquarters. This photo is unrelated to the article. [Yonhap]
SK hynix headquarters. This photo is unrelated to the article. [Yonhap]

Four new employees at SK hynix — widely regarded as a dream workplace among job seekers in South Korea — were fired after drinking alcohol during their orientation period, it has emerged.

According to SBS Biz, the four employees had recently joined SK hynix and were undergoing training for technical and administrative staff when they were dismissed for violating the company's training rules.

They were found to have consumed alcohol and engaged in other prohibited conduct during the new-hire training period. Two employees from other SK Group affiliates who also violated the rules were separately disciplined with pay cuts.

The company gave the employees an opportunity to explain themselves and correct their behavior before issuing a final ruling, but ultimately proceeded with the dismissals.

An SK hynix spokesperson declined to comment, saying the company "cannot confirm personal information related to personnel matters."

The news drew widespread reaction online, with comments including "Just how expensive was that drink?" and "That's the most expensive alcohol in the world" and "They kicked away their own good fortune."

SK hynix's average annual salary per employee stood at 185 million won ($134,000) last year, among the highest in the industry. The company has also committed to distributing 10 percent of its annual operating profit each year as a performance bonus known as a profit-sharing payment.

Securities analysts expect SK hynix's annual operating profit this year to reach around 250 trillion won. Applying that figure directly, the estimated average profit-sharing payment per employee would come to around 700 million won before taxes.


bbo@heraldcorp.com