[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Samsung Electronics decided on the 12th to provide paid leave to employees receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. As the COVID-19 vaccination target expands to the general public, attention is focused on whether the introduction of vaccine leave will spread among private companies.
According to the industry, Samsung Electronics announced the vaccine leave policy through the company bulletin board on the same day. Employees receiving the vaccine are guaranteed one day of paid leave on the day of vaccination, and if they experience adverse reactions, they can use up to two days of paid leave after vaccination without submitting medical certificates or other proof documents.
Earlier, the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union, affiliated with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, the largest union within Samsung Electronics, sent an official letter to the management the day before, requesting the establishment of a 'vaccine leave policy' granting three days of paid leave to vaccinated employees. The letter requested that all Samsung Electronics employees who received the vaccine be granted a total of three days of paid leave, including the day of vaccination and the following two days (based on working days). It also added that employees should not be required to submit medical certificates or other proof documents regarding adverse reactions when granting vaccine leave.
Last month, the government expanded COVID-19 vaccination to the general public and introduced a ‘vaccine leave system’ for those experiencing adverse reactions. Vaccinated individuals showing adverse reactions can take up to two days of sick leave or paid leave after vaccination without a medical certificate, and the government recommended that the private sector follow this guideline.
Since then, companies have been reviewing vaccine leave policies ahead of employee vaccinations, and some companies have proactively formalized the introduction of vaccine leave. Naver decided to grant one day of paid leave the day after COVID-19 vaccination to all employees across its affiliates, regardless of adverse reactions. The company plans to provide vaccine leave as official leave that does not consume personal annual leave.
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