Aekyung Chemical Co.’s Ulsan factory is seen in this file photo provided by the company.
SEOUL, Feb. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — An increasing number of South Korea’s large companies are introducing ‘four group, two shift’ systems instead of the previous ‘four group, three shift’ systems at manufacturing sites with young employees in their 20s and 30s emphasizing work-life balance.
Under the ‘four group, two shift’ system, two groups work 12 hours a day on a rotational basis, with the remaining two groups taking rest.
After two days of intensive work, they have two days off. The number of rest days increased by more than 80 days compared to the four group, three shift system.
Aekyung Chemical Co. reviewed a change in its shift system starting in May 2022 and carried out the ‘four group, two shift’ system on a trial basis for three months starting in September.
In particular, debates on the introduction of the new work format are actively underway in the oil refining and petrochemical businesses, which typically operate their factories around the clock.
Among the workers with longer tenure who have been used to working under the four group, three shift system for their entire careers, however, many have difficulty adapting to the new work format, feeling burdened by the increase in daily workload to 12 hours.
There are concerns that the longer work hours could reduce the power of concentration and increase the number of accidents.
Hanwha Solutions Corp. recently held a vote on the introduction of the new work format for the employees at its Yeosu plant. The plan was dismissed through the vote.
In particular, the share of employees who cast a negative vote was high among those over 50 years of age.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
