Choi Tae-won: "We Will Not Reduce Hiring"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group

Maintains Hiring of Over 8,500 Employees This Year

Despite COVID-19 Induced Economic Downturn Risks

New Investments Proceeding as Planned

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] SK Group is moving forward with large-scale hiring this year despite the economic downturn risks caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This is due to Chairman Chey Tae-won's strong commitment to job creation, emphasizing the company's 'social value' and 'happiness management.'

According to the business community on the 9th, SK Group plans to hire more than 8,500 new employees through public recruitment in the first and second halves of the year, as well as occasional experienced hires. All will be full-time employees.

SK Group has conducted public recruitments in March and September for the first and second halves of the year, respectively, and has also carried out occasional experienced hires. This year, due to the impact of COVID-19, the first-half recruitment is planned to be delayed by about a month, but the number of hires will not be reduced according to internal policy. It is expected that the first-half recruitment will be at a similar level to previous years, around 4,000 people.

An SK Group official said, "Job creation is a major focus in the company's social role," adding, "Chairman Chey's intention is that companies should increase hiring and share social pain, especially in difficult times."

Hiring of socially vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, will also be expanded to over 1,000 people. SK Group hired about 1,000 people with disabilities last year.

Since Chairman Chey expressed a strong will regarding expanding employment for people with disabilities at the social value festival 'Social Value Connect 2019' in May last year, saying, "If it doesn't work, we will do it unconditionally, and then find better ways," it is expected that hiring of socially vulnerable groups will increase further this year.

SK Group will proceed with new investments as planned, as well as hiring. The group set a plan to invest 80 trillion won from 2018 to 2020 in semiconductors, energy, healthcare, ICT, and mobility, and aims to achieve this target this year.

While actively carrying out hiring and investment plans, SK Group has also swiftly implemented 'social distancing' measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It was the first among domestic large corporations to implement remote work proactively.

Among SK Group affiliates, SK Inc., SK Innovation, SK Telecom, SK E&S, SK Networks, and SK Siltron conducted remote work for two weeks starting from the 25th of last month. Subsequently, SK Innovation extended remote work for another two weeks until the 22nd of this month, and the SK Supex Council will continue it until the end of March. SK Hynix has provided two weeks of special leave for pregnant employees and is operating a flexible work system.

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