Large Corporations End Remote Work... SK to Shift to Smart Work System Starting Tomorrow

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Companies are transitioning from remote work, which began due to the COVID-19 pandemic, back to normal work systems.

According to the industry on the 31st, among major groups, SK, which was the most proactive in remote work, will end remote work at the group's highest decision-making body, the SUPEX Council, and the holding company SK Inc., and switch to a 'smart work' system starting from the 1st of next month. SK Group stated that smart work operates by allowing each individual to design their own working hours.

SK Innovation will not extend the remote work system, which was extended until this week in line with the postponement of school openings at all levels.

SK Telecom also started remote work for all employees from the 25th of last month and extended it until the 5th of next month, but from the 6th, it will introduce a regular digital work system.

Earlier, Hyundai Motor Group's major affiliates stopped autonomous remote work and switched to a normal commuting system from the 23rd.

Hyundai and Kia Motors have expanded flexible working hours by widening the commuting time range from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and removing the mandatory working hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to minimize employee contact.

Additionally, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, LG Electronics, and others do not operate remote work systems due to the characteristics of the semiconductor and electronics industries. Hyundai Heavy Industries has been operating a staggered commuting system since the 9th and plans to continue it until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.