Following Landowners and Shopping... Lotte Duty Free Transitions to Smart Work System

Expansion of Non-Face-to-Face Work Systems
Transition to Smart Work System
Office Workforce Reduced to 55% Level↓

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] Lotte Duty Free is preparing for the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era by establishing a non-face-to-face (untact) work environment. They are transitioning to a smart work system through rotational telecommuting and video conferencing systems.

Lotte Duty Free announced on the 8th that it will implement rotational telecommuting for its headquarters employees. Each department's staff will be divided into four groups and will alternate telecommuting on a weekly basis, starting from this day. Through the regularization of telecommuting, about 25% of Lotte Duty Free headquarters employees are expected to work remotely on a regular basis. Previously, Lotte Duty Free had piloted a telecommuting system in March to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and used it as an opportunity to check the establishment of a smart work system environment.

Additionally, from this day, the headquarters office space will be decentralized. By preparing a separate workspace outside the headquarters and having about 20% of office workers work externally, they aim to reduce workplace density. At the same time, they will implement 'social distancing within the office' by adjusting seating arrangements to maximize the distance between office workers. Through this, they plan to reduce the number of headquarters workers to about 55% of the previous level.

Non-face-to-face countermeasure meetings to respond to the post-COVID-19 era are also being held frequently. Since March, when the spread of COVID-19 intensified, Lotte Duty Free has introduced a smart video conferencing system to facilitate quick decision-making and foster an advanced meeting culture. This system maximizes work efficiency through smooth communication not only between the Seoul Lotte Duty Free headquarters and domestic stores located in Seoul, Gimpo, Busan, Gimhae, and Jeju but also with overseas subsidiaries and offices.

Kim Junam, Head of Management Support Division at Lotte Duty Free, stated, “The transition to a smart work system is no longer a choice but a necessity. Lotte Duty Free plans to continue expanding the introduction of untact work systems starting with proactive measures to prepare for the post-COVID-19 era.”

Meanwhile, since February, Lotte Duty Free has introduced telecommuting for pregnant employees and those who need to care for children. They have been making efforts to expand work options by implementing flexible working hours and selective working systems.

The Lotte Group is strengthening its non-face-to-face work system. Following Lotte Holdings last month, Lotte Shopping introduced a weekly telecommuting system on the 1st for about 3,200 headquarters employees. Employees can choose one day during the week to work from home according to their work situation.

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