Samsung bans company dinners and minimizes overseas business trips and private gatherings
Hyundai Motor, Hanwha, Doosan, and others also apply measures considering government quarantine guidelines
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyeyoung] Major domestic companies have launched an all-out year-end 'quarantine campaign' by banning company dinners and minimizing meetings and business trips. This is a follow-up measure in response to the government's strengthened quarantine guidelines due to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
According to the industry on the 3rd, Samsung Electronics notified employees of quarantine measures including ▲refraining from overseas business trips ▲banning company dinners ▲minimizing private gatherings ▲suspending operation of indoor and outdoor sports facilities such as the company fitness center.
The scope of allowed business trips is limited to 'business-essential trips' and only permitted with separate approval from each business division. In particular, business trips to nine countries where the Omicron variant first emerged, including South Africa, are completely banned.
Regarding attendance at CES 2022, the world's largest industrial exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA, from January 5 to 8, they are closely monitoring the local situation and any additional measures by the U.S. government.
Hyundai Motor Company also communicated strengthened internal quarantine guidelines to employees on the same day. According to the new guidelines, the maximum allowed number of participants for training, meetings, and seminars will be reduced from 50 to 30 starting from the 6th. Remote work for employees under team leaders will also be expanded.
To minimize contact among employees, use of the company lounge will be restricted. Kia Motors is expected to strengthen internal guidelines to a similar level as Hyundai Motor.
Hanwha Group has switched internal meetings to video conferences and banned company dinners. Additionally, remote work is mandated for at least 30% of employees per department, and domestic and overseas business trips will only be allowed in unavoidable cases.
Hyundai Heavy Industries Group will increase the proportion of remote work from the current 30% to 50% and extend the staggered commuting system (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.) until the end of this month. Face-to-face meetings will be minimized and only allowed for fewer than 10 people in unavoidable cases.
Doosan Group also announced internal quarantine guidelines focusing on remote work for non-essential personnel, refraining from domestic and overseas business trips, and banning company dinners. LS Group has canceled all year-end company dinners and is reviewing additional guideline enhancements for each affiliate.
SK recommends employees actively utilize remote work, hold non-face-to-face meetings, and refrain from private gatherings. They plan to adjust detailed measures after monitoring the government's additional quarantine guidelines.
LG Electronics is preparing internal quarantine guidelines considering government measures. An LG Electronics representative said, "We plan to set guidelines based on the government's strengthened quarantine rules, prioritizing the safety of our employees."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
