Table of Contents
- Why Are Payslips Important?
- Essential Items That Must Be Included
- Itemized Checklist
- Payslip Analysis Using Real Case
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
1. Why Are Payslips Important?
"My salary this month was lower than usual, and I don't know why."
Many people have had this experience at least once. In reality, workers often miss deductions or missing allowances without understanding the reason. In such cases, the first thing to check is the payslip.
Since November 2021, all employers are required to provide payslips to their employees. These payslips contain details about how the salary was calculated and what deductions were made.
2. Essential Items That Must Be Included
According to Article 27-2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Labor Standards Act, the following items must be included in the payslip:
- Employee identification information: name, date of birth, employee ID, etc.
- Pay date and total amount paid
- Itemized salary components: base salary, various allowances, bonuses, etc.
- Calculation method: hourly wage × work hours, allowance basis, etc.
- Deductions: income tax, four major insurances, union dues, etc.
If any of these are missing, the employer may be fined.
3. Itemized Checklist
When you receive your payslip, make sure to check the following items:
| Category | What to Check |
| Name / Employee ID | Is my personal info accurately listed? |
| Pay Date | Does it match the actual payment date? |
| Base Salary | Is it consistent with my employment contract? |
| Various Allowances | Are overtime, night, and holiday allowances all included? |
| Deductions | Are tax and insurance amounts calculated correctly? |
| Net Pay | Does total pay minus deductions match the deposited amount? |
| Calculation Basis | Are the calculation standards clearly explained? |
4. Payslip Analysis Using Real Case
🔍 Case Study: Sample Payslip for "Hong Gil-dong"
| Item | Amount (KRW) |
| Base Salary | 3,200,000 |
| Overtime Allowance | 379,728 |
| Night Shift Allowance | 15,822 |
| Holiday Work Allowance | 94,932 |
| Family Allowance | 150,000 |
| Meal Allowance | 100,000 |
Total Pay: 3,940,482 KRW
Total Deductions: 490,610 KRW
Net Pay: 3,449,872 KRW
→ As shown above, each allowance and deduction must be itemized, and the calculation method for each should be clearly explained.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can a payslip be sent via email?
A. Yes. It can be in written or electronic format as long as the employee can easily view it.
Q2. What if some items are missing from the payslip?
A. Missing required items is a legal violation and may result in a fine.
Q3. I can't find how my allowances were calculated. What should I do?
A. If wage rate, work hours, or allowance criteria are missing, ask HR or file a report to the Ministry of Labor if needed.
Q4. The amounts on the payslip don't match my bank deposit. What now?
A. Check the deductions and contact your company. If unresolved, contact the Labor Office.
6. Summary
Payslips are not just salary notifications — they are critical documents that objectively prove your rightful compensation.
By getting in the habit of reviewing them carefully, you can detect incorrect deductions or missing allowances early.
Start viewing your payslip not as a routine document, but as a tool to protect your rights.
