Lock & Lock Co. introduced a so-called ‘Sandwich Day Holiday’ system that allows employees to rest on work days that fall between holidays or weekends. (image: Lock & Lock)
SEOUL, Jun. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — The culture of so-called ‘work and life balance’ is spreading throughout small and medium sized firms in South Korea through various policies including a four-day workweek and special leaves of absence offered between national holidays.
Small and medium-sized companies are beginning to offer various welfare incentives, pointed a major shortcoming of many small businesses, to boost company morale and attract applicants.
While South Korean conglomerate SK Holdings Co. recently introduced a biweekly four-day workweek policy, Enesti Co., a medium-sized cosmetics firm, is spotlighted for introducing a similar policy much earlier.
Enesti, located in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, introduced the policy in 2010, and expanded it to cover all employees in 2013.
Recently, Eduwill Co., a South Korean education company, also announced its plans to introduce a four-day workweek.
“Our competitiveness lies in the fact that the policy applies to all employees,” said the company. “Each employee can individually choose the date of their choice depending on various situations in each department.”
There are also increasing number of companies that allow all employees to rest in-between national holidays.
Lock & Lock Co., a kitchenware manufacturer, introduced a so-called ‘Sandwich Day Holiday’ system that allows employees to rest on work days that fall between holidays or weekends.
The new work-life balance policies are being praised by many employees. In a survey conducted by Eduwill of 710 employees, 95 percent preferred to have a four-day workweek policy in place.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
