"Does Our Company Not Allow Remote Work?" What Are the Criteria for Remote Work?

Concerns Over COVID-19 Spread... Companies Expanding Remote Work

Entrance of a company with a notice related to the novel coronavirus
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Amid the spread of remote work in some companies due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), opinions among office workers differ regarding the standards for remote work.

Some argue that it is appropriate to start remote work only after a confirmed case appears, while others believe that proactively implementing remote work as a preventive measure against infection is more suitable.

Companies such as Samsung, LG, SK, and Hyundai are implementing remote work due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Samsung affiliates have instructed pregnant employees vulnerable to infection to work from home until the 1st of next month.

LG Group has allowed employees who need to care for children in elementary school or younger and pregnant employees to work remotely without a set deadline.

SK Telecom is conducting remote work for all employees from the 25th until the 1st of next month. During the remote work period, they recommend refraining from going out and are also conducting building disinfection every evening.

Hyundai Motor Group is implementing remote work starting today (26th) for employees with weakened immunity, such as pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions, who wish to participate.

On the 22nd, a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was transferred to the negative pressure ward at Kangwon National University Hospital in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

These companies are implementing remote work as a preventive measure before employees are confirmed positive. On the other hand, some companies have entered emergency remote work as a reactive measure after confirmed cases appeared.

At LS Tower in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where LS Group affiliates and Samil Accounting Corporation are located, a COVID-19 confirmed case was reported on the 24th, and health authorities are conducting epidemiological investigations.

Following the confirmed case, employees of LS Group affiliates, including LS Networks, have been instructed to work remotely until the 26th.

Given this situation, office workers have expressed differing opinions regarding the standards for remote work. A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, said, "It is right to start remote work before a COVID-19 confirmed case occurs," adding, "Even if remote work begins after a confirmed case, the possibility that someone else has been infected cannot be ruled out."

A 40-year-old office worker, Mr. B, emphasized, "Viruses can mutate and evolve at any time," and added, "While reactive measures after confirmed cases are good, it seems more appropriate to implement remote work as a preventive measure to avoid any confirmed cases altogether."

However, there are other opinions. A late-20s office worker, Mr. C, argued, "It is right to work remotely after a confirmed case appears because one cannot come to the office due to disinfection work," and added, "There is no problem if disinfection is done." He further stated, "From the perspective of the staff, it is more efficient to come to the office and work."

Mask on the way to work [Yonhap News archive photo]

According to the current Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, there is no legal means to mandate remote work. Companies that decide to implement remote work are doing so based on their own judgment.

However, the government recommends that companies utilize leave, remote work, or business suspension when necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On the 24th, Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap held a "COVID-19 Employment and Labor Countermeasures Meeting" at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office, urging the use of flexible work arrangements such as staggered commuting and remote work amid the spread of COVID-19, and actively using family care leave due to nationwide school closures.

The minister requested, "Please actively use flexible work arrangements to reduce the possibility of infection spread caused by crowding during commuting hours."

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry also recommended staggered commuting, remote work, and remote meetings to its 180,000 member companies on the same day.

The Chamber explained the background of the recommendation, stating, "As the infectious disease crisis alert was raised to the highest level, 'serious,' the business community is also taking measures to reduce congestion in public transportation and close contact to prevent the spread of infectious diseases."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.