[Exclusive] ShinHyup Faces Backlash Over Sexist Remarks in Contract Employee Interviews

Interviewer asks, "What do you focus on when dating a boyfriend?"
Also received a private message saying, "You didn't get the contract job, but I'll introduce you to a good company"
Shinhyup states, "We expressed regret to the person involved and will take action against the interviewer"

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] Controversy has arisen over a sexual harassment remark made by an interviewer during the contract employee hiring process at the National Credit Union Federation of Korea (NACUFOK).

According to financial industry sources on the 16th, during a recent contract employee interview at a regional headquarters of NACUFOK, interviewer A caused a stir by asking a female applicant, "What do you focus on when dating a boyfriend?" This content was revealed on the workplace community application 'Blind' on the 13th.

Interviewer A is also reported to have contacted the applicant personally around 9 p.m. on the day of the interview, offering to introduce her to a good company despite not passing the contract position.

A 'whistleblower,' who introduced themselves as an acquaintance of the victim, posted on Blind requesting, "I am trying to call the department related to ethics and audit at NACUFOK, so please provide the contact number." The post has since been deleted.

Upon learning of the incident, NACUFOK launched an internal investigation through its departments. According to the federation, interviewer A explained that the intention was to introduce the applicant to a different cooperative, not a regional headquarters within the federation. While recruitment is conducted separately with cooperatives, the federation often introduces personnel to them.

A NACUFOK official stated, "We provide training to those serving as interviewers, and it is regrettable and apologetic that inappropriate incidents occurred at a regional headquarters within the federation." It is also reported that NACUFOK has expressed apologies to the female applicant who was harmed. The official added, "After the internal investigation, the HR team plans to take measures regarding the interviewer involved."

Meanwhile, according to the Gender Equality Employment Guide jointly published in 2019 by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and 10 economic organizations including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, "Questions should not differ based on gender during the interview process." It states that "questions influenced by gender bias or unrelated to job performance" should not be asked, and that interviewers must be trained before the interview to avoid asking questions that cause sexual discomfort, including those about marriage, childbirth, and childcare plans.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.