Related: Top Court Clarifies Holiday Pay Rules for Every-Other-Day Workers
Definition
Weekly holiday pay (“주휴수당”) is a paid day off guaranteed by Korean labor law to employees who work at least 15 hours a week and attend all scheduled workdays during that period. It ensures workers are compensated for one day’s rest as part of their weekly wage.
Who Qualifies
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Must be a regular employee or part-timer with a fixed weekly schedule.
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Must have worked all contracted days in the week.
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Applies to both hourly and salaried workers who meet the hour threshold.
How It’s Calculated
The allowance equals the worker’s average daily wage, based on contractual working hours.
However, for alternating-shift or part-time employees who work fewer than five days a week, the Supreme Court ruled that the payment should be proportional—calculated by converting hours to a five-day standard rather than granting the full-day rate.
Example
A worker who averages 23.78 hours per week under a two-day alternating schedule would receive 4.75 hours of paid rest time—half the allowance given to a full-time, five-day employee.
Why It Matters
The ruling clarifies a long-standing gray area in wage law, ensuring consistency and fairness between full-time and part-time workers while discouraging employers from manipulating working-hour definitions to avoid minimum wage or benefit obligations.
Jerry M. Kim (jerry_kim@koreabizwire.com)
