A written employment contract should clearly state wages, working hours, holidays and leave. Keep your own copy and compare it with payslips.
Turn a total into checkable terms
For a fictional offer of KRW 3 million including allowances, request basic pay, fixed overtime pay and hours, meal allowance, working hours, breaks, weekly rest and the payment date. Fixed-term and part-time employment have additional written-term requirements. This checklist is not a substitute for a complete contract.
Keep and reconcile your copy
Retain the signed contract, referenced pay schedule and applicable work-rule version. Check that an electronic copy can be downloaded and kept. Compare the first payslip with the agreed components and payment period; a mid-month start also needs the proration rule.
Required terms
Check the workplace, job, contract period where relevant, wage components and payment date, scheduled hours and breaks, weekly rest, and annual leave. The exact statutory written items depend on the type of worker.
A copy for the worker
The employer must provide the required written terms to the employee. Do not rely only on a verbal explanation. Keep signed versions and later amendments.
How wage components should read
Base salary, regular allowances, overtime pay and deductions should be distinguishable. A lump sum that claims to include overtime needs an explanation of covered hours and amounts.
Before signing
Check probation terms, renewal, work location, overtime expectations and what company rules are incorporated. Ask for clarification where wording is ambiguous.