Hanwha Aerospace Apologizes Over Experienced Hire Guideline Controversy, Pledges Preventive Measures

▲ Hanwha Aerospace

Hanwha Aerospace has issued an official apology regarding the recent controversy over its "experienced hire recruitment guidelines."

Along with the apology, the company reaffirmed its principle of "open recruitment without discrimination," stating that it will discipline those responsible and formulate measures to prevent recurrence.

Lee Boo-hwan, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, posted an apology on the company website today (September 27), stating, "As a company that must fulfill its social responsibilities through fair recruitment, the creation of guidelines that could limit applicants' opportunities based on personal conditions unrelated to job performance, such as educational background and age, is something that should never have happened."

Previously, the Ministry of Employment and Labor launched an inspection on September 16 into allegations that Hanwha Aerospace had created and distributed guidelines limiting age and alma mater to human resources executives and recruitment managers by business division during the recruitment of experienced workers.

In the apology statement, CEO Lee said, "This was an act that directly undermined the fundamental principles of 'open recruitment' and 'providing fair opportunities' that Hanwha Aerospace has pursued," adding, "We are taking this situation very seriously."

CEO Lee went on to emphasize, "This matter was a clear mistake in which flawed guidelines were distributed to the field without internal consensus and thorough verification," and emphasized, "We will issue stern warnings and discipline the relevant department and persons responsible for establishing and distributing the guidelines."

According to Hanwha Aerospace, after discovering last month that an HR staff member had drafted experienced hire recruitment guidelines specifying universities and age groups, CEO Lee issued stern warnings to those involved early this month and sent an email to all HR organization employees, business division heads, and office heads stating that inappropriate recruitment will not be tolerated.

Hanwha Aerospace explained, "The controversial experienced hire recruitment guidelines were confirmed to be an individual deviation by an HR staff member and were never implemented at all."

It is Hanwha Aerospace's position that it has conducted recruitment procedures targeting talented individuals from various schools and age groups during experienced hiring.

The management has currently referred the person responsible for drafting the guidelines to the disciplinary committee and is proceeding with disciplinary procedures.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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