튜터Are you able to work from home at all, or do you have to go to the office every day?
나I commute every day. It's a bit harder than working at home. I used to work at home during COVID-19. Back then, I was a new member in my team. I had to learn what I had to do, but it was difficult at home. I'm a sensitive person with social emotions. It's important for me to read the atmosphere, people's feelings, and their thinking. I couldn't do that when I was meeting online. Even though I met my team members offline, we were very awkward. Of course, I don't like commuting. But I think meeting offline is needed.
튜터Oh that makes a lot of sense. A lot of people actually felt the same way during COVID — productivity went up for some, but the social side really suffered. Reading the room, picking up on small cues — that's just so much harder over a screen. And jumping into a new team remotely sounds genuinely tough. Honestly, hybrid setups seem like the sweet spot for people like you. Do you go in five days a week, or does your company offer any flexibility at all?
나I go in five days a week. Fortunately, commuting time is a bit flexible. All team members want hybrid setups. Some coworkers have babies. People raising babies really need hybrid setups. I also feel I need it when I'm sick. When I'm sick enough to see a doctor and get some medicine, but I can still work, I feel it's really needed.
튜터Yeah, that's a really fair point. Parents with young kids especially — the flexibility isn't just a perk, it's almost survival. And I love that you brought up being sick. There's this weird in-between state where you're not bedridden, but dragging yourself to the office would just make it worse. Has your team ever brought it up officially to management?
나I don't think it would work in Korea. Bosses in Korea must think working at the office is really needed. They are reducing benefits. Nowadays, sadly, there are few jobs to move to. That's really confusing how my job is going. Some coworkers got a new job. So we lose some of our coworkers. But management doesn't have a plan for hiring. I have no idea about that.
튜터Yeah, that sounds genuinely stressful. From what I've heard, Korean work culture really leans toward face-time at the office, and when the job market tightens, employees lose a lot of bargaining power. The part that worries me most isn't even the commute — it's the uncertainty. People leaving with no hiring plan? That kind of limbo is exhausting because you can't tell if you should ride it out or start looking too. Hang in there.