Amid India's 70-hour workweek debate, THIS manager makes SHOCKING remark: In case of plane crash 'message me before...'

The conversation surrounding work-life balance has intensified, emphasising the importance of employees' mental health and personal development to enhance job satisfaction, rather than pushing them to overwork, which can lead to stress and burnout, ultimately decreasing productivity.

Recently, this debate took a troubling turn when a Korean shop manager reportedly told employees to prioritise their work over personal safety. This incident comes after a tragic air crash in South Korea, where a Jeju Air flight collided on the runway and caught fire at Muan International Airport.

On December 29, 2024, a tragic plane crash resulted in the deaths of nearly 180 passengers. In the aftermath, a manager at a Gong Cha Korea franchise faced backlash for making insensitive comments to employees, igniting widespread outrage. As reported by the South China Morning Post, an intern at the Gong Cha shop publicly shared messages from their manager on social media, highlighting the inappropriate remarks.

December 30, 2024

In a controversial social media post, an intern revealed that their manager had made a shocking comment regarding the recent plane explosion. The manager reportedly wrote, “Did you see the plane explosion today? There are some people going overseas during the holiday. If a crash happens, send me a message saying, ‘Hire an intern’ first before contacting mum and dad. Do not be absent," this statement has drawn significant criticism for its insensitivity in the wake of the tragedy.

The intern's post quickly went viral, prompting a wave of criticism from social media users directed at both the Gong Cha outlet and its management. One user expressed outrage, saying, “Please do not support Gong Cha by spending your money there. Is this really something you should say to a part-time worker? As an adult, don’t you feel ashamed? This is so heartless." Another commenter questioned the manager's humanity, asking, “Is this person even human? Making such remarks right after a national tragedy?"

In response to the backlash, Gong Cha Korea issued a public apology on December 30, promising to take appropriate action against the involved staff member. The franchise's statement clarified that the incident stemmed from the inappropriate personal actions of a franchise manager. Additionally, the shop's owner expressed regret in a handwritten letter, stating, “This entire situation arose from my negligence as the branch owner, and I will deeply reflect and strive to thoroughly improve store operations and staff training to prevent recurrence. We sincerely seek forgiveness from all those who were hurt by this incident and will do our utmost to regain the trust of our customers."