Some of the LG Uplus employees who were dismissed for allegedly illegally receiving relocation support subsidies for long-distance assignments have been reinstated after the Labor Relations Commission ruled their dismissals unfair.
Last December, LG Uplus dismissed eight workers on the grounds that they had wrongfully received "long-distance single-person assignment support funds." Of them, four who submitted resignation letters reportedly underwent recommended resignation, while four who did not submit resignation letters were dismissed for disciplinary reasons.
The long-distance single-person assignment support fund is a system designed to assist workers who face difficult commutes after being transferred to a location 50 kilometers or more away from their original residences. It provides a monthly subsidy of 700,000 won if they secure housing in the newly assigned region.
However, to receive the subsidy, recipients must comply with company-set requirements such as "single-person residence," and support is discontinued if they reside with family, relatives, or acquaintances.
LG Uplus first uncovered the wrongful collection of housing support funds by employees in April of last year.
The company stated that this involved in-house married couples who received the subsidies while living together.
The management subsequently conducted internal inspections and instructed workers to voluntarily report themselves.
The eight dismissed employees were reportedly those whose wrongful receipt was confirmed after the voluntary reporting period ended.
The four workers who were disciplined and dismissed filed applications for relief from unfair dismissal with the Labor Relations Commission, and two of them were ruled to have been unfairly dismissed.
Among the two who received the unfair dismissal ruling, one individual, known as Person A, was reportedly dismissed for living together with his pregnant wife last year.
Person A, who received a personnel transfer in 2024 to a location over an hour away by car from his previous workplace, reportedly lived together with his wife to help with hospital visits and other needs after learning of her pregnancy in May of last year.
However, the company dismissed Person A last December, stating, "He wrongfully received 3.5 million won over five months while living with his wife."
Regarding the LG Uplus dismissals, the Labor Relations Commission ruled, "While the grounds for discipline are recognized, there are limitations in viewing it as an intentional act, and these individuals have returned the full amount of the wrongfully received funds." It added, "It does not appear to be misconduct serious enough to make the continuation of the employment relationship impossible, making the dismissal unfair."
LG Uplus stated, "Following the voluntary reporting period and other procedures, we proceeded with disciplinary actions in accordance with company regulations," adding, "We plan to decide our course of action after receiving the official ruling documents from the relevant authorities."
Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Da-in | Design by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
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