25.10.28.Today News : London Bagel Museum worker’s death sparks overwork probe

London Bagel Museum worker’s death sparks overwork probe

📍Family claims “He worked 21 hours a day before his death”; company denies overwork, Labor Ministry reviewing possible labor inspection

Fifty days have passed since a 26-year-old employee at the popular bakery chain London Bagel Museum was found dead, allegedly due to overwork. His family and labor groups claim he was working up to 80 hours a week, while the company denies the allegations. The Ministry of Employment and Labor is now considering launching an official inspection.

The family of the late Jeong Hyo-won has raised suspicions of death from overwork, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor is reviewing a labor inspection of London Bagel Museum.

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🔹Incident Overview
On July 16, Jeong Hyo-won (26), a supervisor at the London Bagel Museum Incheon branch, was found dead in his company dormitory. It had been just 14 months since he joined the company.

According to his family, Jeong had been working over 80 hours a week, including 21-hour shifts in the week leading up to his death. His employment contract allowed for more than 14 hours of overtime per week, exceeding Korea’s 52-hour weekly limit under labor law.

🔹Family Claims: “This was clearly death from overwork”
Jeong’s family stated that he had been constantly fatigued and continued doing administrative tasks even after returning home. Labor groups submitted his work schedule and chat records to the authorities as evidence of excessive working hours.

The Justice Party also revealed, “He worked between 58 to 80 hours weekly and even had a 21-hour shift just days before his death,” calling it “an unmistakable case of overwork.”

The family further alleged that the company refused to provide official work-hour records, and when they attempted to file for workers’ compensation, a senior executive verbally insulted them, saying they were being “immoral.”

🔹Company Denies Allegations
In a public statement, operator LBM (London Bagel Museum) said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, but the reported 80-hour workweeks are simply not true.”

The company claimed that its employees worked an average of 43.5 hours per week, while Jeong’s own average was 44.1 hours, with only seven instances (totaling nine hours) of overtime filed in 13 months. LBM also denied refusing to share documents, saying, “We have already provided the work schedule, payroll records, and employment contract to the family.”

The company pledged to “cooperate fully with the Labor Ministry’s investigation and strengthen internal timekeeping and employee management systems.”

🔹Government Investigation Under Review
The Ministry of Employment and Labor is currently reviewing whether to conduct an official labor inspection of the company. An official stated that they are examining the alleged 80-hour workweeks and potential violations of Korea’s 52-hour workweek policy.

Labor organizations have called for a full investigation across all branches, citing similar working conditions among employees.

London Bagel Museum currently operates seven locations nationwide, including its flagship store in Seoul’s Anguk-dong.

One-line summary : After Jeong Hyo-won’s death allegedly from 80-hour workweeks, the Labor Ministry is considering investigating London Bagel Museum for overwork violations.