Gwangyang City Takes Steps to Retain New Public Officials

Published 09 Aug.2024 12:29(KST)

Announcement of Gwangyang City Local Government Employee Service Ordinance Amendment on the 7th

Newly Established Leave for Employees with Less Than 5 Years and Childcare Leave

Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Jeong In-hwa) announced on the 9th that it has established various special leave programs to boost the morale of rookie public officials and to support work-life balance.

Recently, it has become a social issue that not only rookie public officials but also experienced officials leave public service due to low salaries, rigid organizational culture, and stress caused by malicious civil petitioners.

[Photo provided by Gwangyang-si]

According to statistics from the Government Employees Pension Service, the number of public officials who resigned within three years of service was 8,442 in 2020, 9,881 in 2021, and 12,076 in 2022. In Gwangyang City as well, among 58 officials who resigned in the past three years, 48 (83%) were rookie public officials who had started their public service within five years.

Gwangyang City has taken steps to create a better organizational culture by establishing new leave days for officials with fewer years of service and introducing childcare leave to support stable child-rearing.

The main details include ▲ a new “Rookie Leap Leave” of 3 days for public officials with 1 to less than 5 years of service ▲ a new “Anniversary Leave” of 1 day for either birthday or wedding anniversary (choose one) ▲ a new “Childcare Leave” of 3 days annually for officials with children under 8 years old (under 108 months) ▲ and 2 days of “Congratulatory and Condolence Leave” for childbirth of the official’s child or child’s spouse.

Gwangyang City promulgated the amendment to the Gwangyang City Local Public Officials Service Ordinance containing these provisions on the 7th.

Mayor Jeong In-hwa of Gwangyang City said, “I hope this special leave will help prevent the departure of public officials with fewer years of service and provide some support for raising children with peace of mind in this era of low birth rates. We also plan to operate various healing programs to boost employees’ morale and will strive to make the public service an attractive and desirable workplace.”