The new system, dubbed the “Supportive Child Care Shift,” will be available for both male and female employees who have children. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 29 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean steelmaker POSCO is introducing new comprehensive birth encouragement policies that will help pregnant employees from pregnancy through to child care.
The company’s labor union said yesterday that pregnant employees will receive support through all stages of pregnancy, from childbirth to babysitting, allowing employees to have a healthy balance between work and family life, and continue building their career.
Mothers who have a hard time conceiving will get five days off to allow time for the treatment of infertility or artificial insemination.
POSCO has also bumped up its childbirth grants to encourage and support mothers. A grant of one million won will be given for the first child, jumping to a five million won grant for the second child. The childbirth grant for the second child used to be only one million won.
From July, under the company’s childcare support policies, employees with children will be able to adjust their daily working hours from four to twelve hours for personal convenience, so long as they work 40 hours per week.
The new system, dubbed the “Supportive Child Care Shift,” will be available for both male and female employees who have children.
“Through meetings with the labor union, we came to an agreement to help create an environment where our employees can work without the worry of pregnancy and childcare.
“By giving workers a balance between work and home, we believe we can prevent losing human resources and the company can improve and become more competent,” a POSCO official said.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
