Iksan City to Implement Four-Day Workweek Starting from the 14th

Jeonbuk Iksan City will implement a 'four-day workweek' starting from the 14th.

According to the city on the 10th, the policy will apply to about 200 public officials at the main office and affiliated agencies who have children aged 8 or younger. However, administrative welfare centers in towns and villages, where there is frequent interaction with citizens due to the nature of civil affairs, are excluded.

Aerial view of Iksan City Hall. Provided by Iksan City

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Currently, about 70 employees, which is approximately 37% of all eligible staff in Iksan City, use childcare hours at least once a week. The city estimates that around 60 employees will utilize the four-day workweek in the initial phase.

This system is a 'leave-type four-day workweek' that converts one day off by utilizing existing flexible work and childcare hour systems. Eligible employees will work four days a week, fulfilling their standard working hours, and take one day off during the week to focus on childcare.

In particular, this measure demonstrates an unusually broad scope of application among local governments. Typically, such policies are limited to public officials with infants aged 2 or younger, but Iksan City expanded the eligibility to those with children aged 8 or younger to strengthen practical childcare support.

Through this system, the city expects to secure meaningful time for childcare, leading to positive effects such as ▲ alleviating employees' childcare burdens ▲ enhancing bonds with their children ▲ reducing parenting stress, as well as contributing to the spread of a family-friendly organizational culture and improved work focus.

Mayor Jung Heon-yul said, "The issues of low birth rates and childcare burdens are challenges for society as a whole, not just individuals," adding, "I hope the four-day workweek will help ease the childcare burden for our employees and serve as a catalyst for establishing a workplace culture where work and family are balanced."

Meanwhile, the city plans to conduct a pilot operation until June, after which it will analyze employee satisfaction and work efficiency to decide whether to expand or improve the system in the future.

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