'Reduction of Working Hours for Family Care, etc.' to be Expanded to All Workplaces Next Year

Recognition of Reasons Such as Family Care, Personal Health, Retirement Preparation, and Studies
Working 15 to 30 Hours per Week

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Starting next year, employees at all workplaces will be able to reduce their working hours for family care, personal health, studies, and other reasons.

On the 27th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that from next year, the "Family Care and Other Working Hours Reduction System" will be expanded to workplaces with 1 to 29 employees. This system was introduced in August 2019 through the revision of the "Act on Gender Equality in Employment and Work-Family Balance Support" and has been implemented gradually since last year. Last year, it was first applied to public institutions and workplaces with 300 or more employees, then expanded to workplaces with 30 to 299 employees this year. It applies regardless of industry or work type.

By utilizing this system, workers can reduce their working hours to between 15 and 30 hours per week. Initially, applications can be made for up to one year, with the possibility of a one-time extension within an additional two-year period. Four reasons are recognized: family care, personal health, retirement preparation, and studies.

Specifically, "family care" refers to cases where the worker must care for family members due to illness, accidents, or old age. Family members include the worker’s grandparents, parents, spouse’s parents, children, and grandchildren. Simple child-rearing does not qualify as "care." "Personal health" refers to cases where the worker must take care of their own health due to illness or injury, including both physical and mental health.

"Retirement preparation" applies to workers aged 55 or older who need to prepare for retirement, with various reasons recognized such as reemployment, entrepreneurship, and social contribution activities. "Studies" refers to formal education courses, vocational skill development training, or obtaining certain qualifications. Self-study, simple hobbies, and employer-led vocational training are excluded.

If a worker applies to reduce working hours for these reasons, the employer is obligated to allow it. If the employer dismisses or otherwise disadvantages the worker due to the reduction of working hours, they may face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won. However, the employer may refuse in cases where ▲ the worker’s continuous employment period is less than six months ▲ it is difficult to hire a replacement ▲ the nature of the work makes it difficult to split working hours ▲ there is a significant disruption to normal business operations ▲ or two years have not passed since a previous working hours reduction.

Employers who allow working hours reduction can receive support through the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s "Work-Life Balance Job Incentive," which provides indirect labor costs (300,000 won per person per month) and wage reduction compensation (200,000 won per person per month). This support is focused on small and medium-sized enterprises.

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