Gwangju Bank Leads Work-Life Balance with '10 AM Start for Childcare' Policy Implementation

Gwangju Bank will implement the ‘Childcare 10 AM Start Work System’ until May 31 to support childcare during the elementary school enrollment period.

The ‘Childcare 10 AM Start Work System’ is a policy that delays the start time of eligible employees to 10 AM, later than usual, to minimize childcare gaps during the period when children require the most attention, such as when entering elementary school.

Since 2018, Gwangju Bank has been operating the ‘Childcare 10 AM Start Work System’ through labor-management consultations. Over the past six years, including 106 eligible employees this year, a total of 534 employees have used this system to achieve work-life balance by harmonizing work and family life.

Especially this year, the implementation period of the ‘Childcare 10 AM Start Work System’ was extended from the previous two months to three months. Employees can choose any two months between March and May according to their work environment and personal circumstances, increasing flexibility in the system’s application. This has enhanced employee participation and further solidified a corporate culture of work-life balance.

Although working hours are reduced due to the delayed start time, eligible employees do not face any disadvantages such as reduced wages or promotion opportunities. As a result, many have responded positively, saying, “During the most challenging period of raising children, the elementary school enrollment phase, I now have the time to accompany my child to school and support their school life, allowing me to focus on both work and family.” Employee satisfaction has also been confirmed to have significantly increased.

Byung-il Ko, President of Gwangju Bank, stated, “Childcare is not only the responsibility of parents but also a task that the government, companies, and society must take the lead in supporting. We actively implement the ‘Childcare 10 AM Start Work System’ every year with this awareness.” He added, “We will continue to promote such welfare policies to ensure true work-life balance is well established in both work and family life, and as a leading regional bank, we will take the initiative to spread a positive corporate culture throughout the local community.”