'Workplace Bullying Controversy' Krafton, Also Lowest in Years of Service [Buaeri's Game Dictionary]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] Krafton, which recently faced workplace bullying issues, has been found to have one of the lowest average employee tenures in the industry.

According to Krafton's quarterly report on the 26th, the average employee tenure was 1.2 years. This is only about a quarter of the tenures at Nexon (5.7 years), NCSoft (5.5 years), and Netmarble (4.4 years). Compared to other major game companies, Krafton's tenure ranks among the lowest. According to quarterly reports from each company, average tenures at major game companies are as follows: Webzen (5.5 years), Com2uS (3.8 years), Gamevil (3.5 years), Wemade (2.9 years), and Pearl Abyss (2.4 years).

Experts point out that employee tenure can serve as an indicator of satisfaction with the company. In the gaming industry, where salaries are already at similar levels, tenure cannot be simply viewed as a matter of 'job-hopping.' The relatively low tenure at Krafton suggests lower stability and significant employee dissatisfaction. Professor Wi Jeong-hyun of Chung-Ang University, president of the Korea Game Society, said, "Employment tenure reflects satisfaction with the company," adding, "This indicates there are issues beyond salary."

In fact, a recent workplace bullying incident occurred within Krafton. Some employees reported ongoing harassment by Unit Head A and Team Leader B to the company's HR department. Some of these employees hired lawyers and filed a complaint by mail with the Seoul Eastern Employment and Labor Office.

Unit Head A reportedly demanded overtime, saying "Workload will increase, so you need to be pushed harder," and instructed an employee to work and eat inside a one-pyeong (approx. 3.3 square meters) phone booth due to COVID-19 concerns. Unit Head A was also said to have stated, "If I want, I can make you feel suffocated while you work and report on you." The affected employees reportedly sought counseling from mental health professionals and took antidepressants, expressing ongoing distress.

Krafton was once at the center of controversy over the 'Reboot Cell' organization. The Reboot Cell is where members without assignments are placed when development projects are halted. According to testimonies from former Krafton employees who belonged to this group, if they did not receive a transfer or new assignment within six months, they felt insecure about their position and employment. On the anonymous workplace community 'Blind,' a post stating "After joining the Reboot Cell, my self-esteem dropped, and I felt urges toward extreme choices" sparked controversy. Following various controversies, Krafton abolished the Reboot Cell. Subsequently, Krafton introduced the 'Challengers Room,' where developers can apply for projects they want to join and form projects or teams themselves.

Krafton has launched an internal investigation into the recent workplace bullying issue. A Krafton representative stated, "After receiving the report, we immediately began an investigation and took protective measures for the involved members, including granting paid leave to spatially separate them. To ensure fairness, we hired an external labor attorney to conduct the investigation. We are currently hearing both sides, and once the investigation is complete, appropriate measures will be taken."

Editor's Note
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This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.