A cleanroom in a Samsung Electronics semiconductor production facility in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. (image: Samsung Electronics)
SEOUL, June 24 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s top two chipmakers — Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. — are coming up with ways to ensure work-life balance for employees.
During a recent meeting with female employees, Samsung Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee announced that the company will introduce a reboarding program for employees returning from maternity leave to prevent career interruptions among women.
When returning from maternity leave, the employee may move to a different department or position based on her career experience and preference, if the department of her past affiliation has been changed or if the employee has been charged with the same task for more than five years.
Aside from the family care leave that is legally required, the company is also considering introducing paid ‘emergency care leave’.
Moreover, the company is considering opening up a childcare facility within the company, as well as allowing employees to work from home for a designated period to ensure work-life balance.
Meanwhile, SK hynix extended the limit of the special leave of absence for infertility treatment from three days (one day paid, two days unpaid) to five days (all paid) last March, while also offering subsidies for the cost of the procedure.
In case of pregnancy, the company offers essential packages for pregnant employees and newborn babies, and allows shorter working hours for employees throughout the entire pregnancy period.
Depending on the number of children, the company offers congratulatory stipends of 300,000 to 1 million won (US$230-770) and allows for a three-month ‘enrollment care leave’ for employees with children entering elementary school.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
