Korean companies adopt extensive parental leaves for work-family balance

Image of a pregnancy test kit [Photo by Kim Ho-young]

South Korean companies are introducing more support to their employees regarding family planning, including pregnancy, in response to the government’s efforts to improve work-life balance as part of measures to address issues related to low birthrate and aging population.

According to multiple industry sources on Sunday, Samsung Electronics Co. has decided to allow all pregnant employees to apply for reduced work hours during pregnancy after agreeing with the union to apply more reduced work hours for pregnant employees than what the current law states.

Under the labor standards act, employees under 12 weeks or over 36 weeks of pregnancy are eligible to reduce work hours by 2 hours a day.

Samsung Electronics extended the policy to allow all pregnant employees, no matter the stages of pregnancy, to benefit from the reduced work hour system.

The company will also offer employees 15 days of paid leave for spouses and 5 days for infertility treatment. Samsung Electronics also adopted 3 days of paid leave for stillbirth and miscarriage, which is not included in the current law.

SK innovation Co. has also introduced a reduced work hour system for employees with children. Employees can work only 4 hours a day for up to one year when they raise at least one child aged under 9.

SK telecom Co. has allowed every leave for pregnancy and childbirth to be taken with discretion by the employee. Both female and male staff at Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. can also use childcare leave for up to 2 years per child.

LG Electronics Inc. also started to offer 3 days of paid leave for infertility treatment.