Ex-employee alleges 20 million won salary, 16-hour workdays

Recording reveals Hey Jini submitted opinion opposing workers' comp approval

YouTuber Hey Jini. [Hey Jini's Instagram]
YouTuber Hey Jini. [Hey Jini's Instagram]

A phone call recording in which children's content creator Hey Jini, whose real name is Kang Hye-jin, appears to question the legitimacy of a former employee's workplace injury claim has gone public, stirring controversy. With Hey Jini's side pushing back against allegations of labor exploitation raised by former staff, the dispute shows no sign of a quick resolution.

On Tuesday, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho posted a recording of a phone call between Hey Jini and a former employee, identified only as A, on his YouTube channel. A said her health deteriorated following that conversation.

In the recording, Hey Jini asks A about her health, and A replies that she is not doing well and has been prescribed a large amount of medication as her depression has worsened. A then brings up an opinion letter submitted to the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service opposing her workers' compensation claim, and asks Hey Jini whether she wrote it herself.

A asked whether Hey Jini had included the phrase "I doubt she is truly ill" in the letter — noting that Hey Jini knew A's doctor had recommended travel as part of her treatment — in reference to trips A took during her leave of absence. Hey Jini confirmed she had.

A then said, "I understand your position. I think I need to take my medication now," and ended the call.

Hey Jini's skepticism toward the workers' compensation claim was consistent with the position her company took that day in rebuffing allegations of labor exploitation.

A had previously said that while working at Hey Jini's company Kidsworks, she earned an annual salary of 20 million won ($15,100) and worked long hours without overtime pay. Her salary was later raised to 21 million won, but she said the heavy workload led to diagnoses of panic disorder and depression.

A said her daily working hours reached as many as 16, and that the company's attitude changed once she filed for workers' compensation. She said the company offered her 4 million won to drop the claim, which she refused, and that her workers' compensation claim was approved in January 2020.

Kidsworks rebuffed the account, saying it had provided A with a salary increase, bonus payments and flexible working arrangements, and denied obstructing her workers' compensation filing.

In a statement released that day, Kidsworks said A worked from September 2017 to December 2018 before going on leave and voluntarily resigned in May 2019. The company said it paid her in accordance with the wage structure at the time of hiring, later raised her annual salary by 25 percent, and paid her a separate bonus even during her leave.

The company added that it had decided on work content and processes in consultation with employees, and gave staff the flexibility to adjust their hours or work from home. It also said it had helped facilitate the workers' compensation process in 2018 by referring A to a licensed labor attorney.

The controversy over labor practices at Hey Jini's company has not died down, however, as another former employee, identified as B, has come forward with additional allegations. B said compensatory days off for weekend and holiday work were not properly guaranteed, and that unpaid overtime was routine under an all-inclusive wage arrangement. B also said the company made employees feel uncomfortable about taking taxis after late-night shifts and created an atmosphere of anxiety for those who expressed a desire to resign.


betterj@heraldcorp.com