SK Group's 'Smart Untact Life'... Spreading Across the Industry

[Asia Economy Reporters So-yeon Park, Dong-woo Lee] SK Group is experimenting with various forms of the 'untact (contactless) work method' introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and spreading it throughout the domestic industrial sector. SK Group's strategy is to actively utilize the untact work method, which has become normalized after COVID-19, tailored to the culture of each affiliate.

◇SK Group's Bold 'Work from Home' Declaration=Working from home, which now feels very natural, required great courage from companies when first introduced. The first mover was SK Telecom. On February 24, SKT became the first major domestic company to implement company-wide work-from-home. It recommended all employees except essential personnel to work from home. Due to its nature as an ICT company, SKT was able to quickly switch its work system. This unprecedented attempt drew attention from other groups. The very next day, February 25, SK Group expanded work-from-home to its major affiliates. Six affiliates housed in SK Group’s headquarters, the Seorin Building, began working from home: SK Inc., SK Innovation, SK Telecom, SK E&S, SK Networks, and SK Siltron. This swift decision was thanks to the SK Supex Council, the highest decision-making body where affiliate presidents gather to make management judgments on SK Group’s issues. Subsequently, major domestic groups joined SK’s work-from-home initiative. It rapidly expanded in conjunction with the government’s 'social distancing' policy. Hanwha Group and LS Group also followed suit. Major affiliates such as Hanwha Solutions introduced 'two-shift work-from-home' where half the staff come to the office and joint holidays. Doosan, Hyosung, and Kolon also started rotating work systems or autonomous work-from-home for about 50% of office workers.

◇All Major Events Are 'Untact'=SK Group was also the first to try 'untact' recruitment. In March, when the recruitment market froze due to COVID-19, SK Innovation conducted the entire recruitment process?from document screening, written tests, to interviews?remotely. While 7 out of 10 companies postponed or canceled recruitment, SK Innovation attracted attention by conducting the entire process untact. Following this, Samsung Electronics recently smoothly conducted its public recruitment written test, the Samsung Aptitude Test (GSAT), online. There was also an experimental attempt where the group owner directly delivered messages to employees via video calls. They used the 'untact' situation to get closer to members. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won visited any place within the group needing encouragement via video calls. Last month, he encouraged SK sports teams struggling with the Olympic postponement, league suspension, and games without spectators. He also connected via video calls with overseas employees facing difficulties due to local lockdowns and held video meetings with SK Bioscience members who are tirelessly researching COVID-19 vaccines, boosting their morale.

◇Preparing for the 'New Normal' Era=SK Group is preparing for the future through various experiments. SK Innovation is experimenting with new work methods triggered by the COVID-19 situation. They are promoting innovation in work styles that combine office work and work-from-home. Some departments are experimentally implementing a '1 week in office, 3 weeks at home' work method. SK Hynix also plans to conduct online video interviews for new employee recruitment in the first half of this year. Interviews will be conducted individually from the 11th according to the job. It is known that the use of an 'Interactive Untact' method, which allows multi-party interactive communication remotely, is highly likely. An SK Group official said, "Even amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation, we will not stop securing excellent talent and taking progressive steps toward the future."