[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] SK Telecom ended its company-wide work-from-home system, which began due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after 6 weeks, and the telecommunications industry has also begun the process of normalizing work. This decision was made in preparation for the prolonged COVID-19 situation, and numerous tasks remain to be addressed, from 5G investment plans to new growth sectors such as media.
According to related industries on the 6th, SK Telecom is implementing a 'permanent digital work' system that allows autonomous work styles by organization and region starting today. This officially ends the company-wide work-from-home system, which began on February 25th excluding essential personnel, after 6 weeks. However, employees are allowed to choose between commuting and working from home within a certain ratio according to their individual circumstances such as childcare, and commuting times and office spaces will also be dispersed.
This decision drew attention as it was made amid daily new COVID-19 cases around 100 and the government extending the 'high-intensity social distancing' for 2 more weeks. Given the increasing possibility of a prolonged COVID-19 situation, a flexible work system was introduced to prevent potential work disruptions during this process.
SK Telecom explained, "Based on the accumulated hybrid work experience so far, this is to respond flexibly and safely to the possibility of a prolonged current situation," and added, "We judged that flexible operation on-site is more effective than a uniform company-wide guideline."
The number of commuting employees will be decided by headquarters and units considering social distancing. Employees who need to pay attention to health such as pregnant women or those returning from overseas are required to work from home. Internal meetings are also conducted remotely as a principle. However, in the case of call centers, since work-from-home is currently implemented in a rotation system depending on the on-site situation, this will be maintained.
Prior to SK Telecom, KT also ended rotational work-from-home and started an autonomous work system from the end of last month. LG Uplus is also conducting autonomous work-from-home except for essential personnel.
All three major telecom companies face numerous tasks ranging from 5G investment plans, which mark their first anniversary of commercialization this month, to expanding new growth businesses such as media. The cautious work normalization reflects concerns that work disruptions could expand further if the current situation prolongs. The roaming and security businesses have already been directly hit by the COVID-19 crisis.
All three companies are monitoring the market and preparing scenario-based response systems, judging that the COVID-19 crisis could have a greater negative impact on the real economy. Moreover, the cable TV mergers and acquisitions (M&A), expected to change the landscape of the paid broadcasting market, are also being actively pursued.
A business community official said, "Even industries that were proactive about company-wide work-from-home are now cautiously returning to work while considering social distancing as the situation prolongs." At the end of last month, major affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group also switched to a normal commuting system. Other major affiliates of SK Group have also ended their work-from-home systems starting this month.
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