KT&G Selected as an 'Excellent Company for Work-Life Balance Practice' by the Ministry of Employment and Labor

Baek Bok-in, President of KT&G

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] KT&G announced on the 25th that it was selected as this year’s ‘Work-Life Balance (WLB) Practice Excellent Company’ at the ‘5th Work-Life Balance Conference’ hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Now in its fourth year, the WLB Practice Excellent Company is a project under the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s ‘Work-Life Balance Campaign’ that selects companies leading the improvement of work culture and showing positive effects on job creation. Selection is based on quantitative indicators from the Ministry of Employment and Labor and qualitative corporate evaluation data from JobPlanet. Notably, this year’s evaluation included companies’ ability to manage work environments during crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

KT&G was highly evaluated for establishing a flexible work environment and various welfare benefit systems. Flexible work systems include staggered working hours, selective working hours, and compensatory leave. The staggered working hours system has no core time and allows autonomous changes so that employees can use it without burden in case of personal emergencies. The selective working hours system prioritizes autonomous choice and is used in various situations such as childcare, long-distance commuting, studies, and work efficiency. Compensatory leave and all flexible work systems have been systematized through the e-HR system, shifting from department head approval to confirmation-focused processes to enhance effectiveness.

KT&G also focuses on paid leave and leave systems that support employee growth. Various systems are operated, including C&C leave supporting self-development, in-house venture leave to assist internal startup ventures, job transition support leave, maternity leave, parental leave, and refresh leave.

Baek Bok-in, CEO of KT&G, has made ‘communication and empathy’ a pillar of management philosophy to improve work culture and established a dedicated department called the ‘Communication and Empathy Department’ and the ‘Imagination Realization Committee’ composed of the 2030 generation, introducing WLB systems reflecting employees’ opinions.

KT&G stated, “The core of KT&G’s WLB system is to make it genuinely available for employees to use freely,” and added, “We will continue to develop the work culture and demonstrate exemplary social roles such as expanding employment as a ‘WLB Practice Excellent Company.’”