Due to Employee Backlash... Kakao Revises Metaverse Work System Voice Connection from 'Mandatory' to 'Recommended'

Namgung Hoon, CEO of Kakao

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Kakao has revised the metaverse work system it planned to introduce starting in July. The mandatory connection to voice channels and weekly offline meetings have been changed from 'mandatory' to 'recommended.'

According to industry sources on the 9th, Kakao announced on the 8th through an internal notice that the connection to voice channels and weekly offline meetings have been changed from 'mandatory' to 'recommended.' Additionally, the core working hours, which originally required employees to work from 1 PM to 5 PM, have been shortened by one hour to 2 PM to 5 PM.

Kakao faced criticism from employees after introducing the metaverse work system on the 30th of last month. The requirement to keep voice channels always connected was problematic. Regarding core time, employees previously could freely use the time outside their assigned work hours, but making the 1 PM to 5 PM work period mandatory caused many complaints.

In response, Namgoong Hoon, CEO of Kakao, expressed reconsideration in an internal notice on the 31st of last month, just one day after announcing the metaverse work system, stating, "The voice communication tool will be tested for a certain period, after which crews will decide whether its use is mandatory through voting at the organizational or functional unit level."