"4-Day Workweek with Timely Promotions"... SK Hynix Makes You Naturally Consider Having a Second Child [K Population Strategy]

(31) Sharing Experiences Using In-House Systems Like Parental Leave
"A Comfortable Work Environment Attracts Top Talent" Family-Friendly Best Company
Kim Hyun-sook "More Companies Should Participate"
Kim Young-mi "Work Environment That Supports Childcare Is Important"

Editor's NoteThe key to solving South Korea's population problem lies within companies. A workplace atmosphere that evaluates employees based on their work regardless of gender and a family-friendly culture are crucial to addressing the K-population issue. Although low birth rates result from complex factors, it is important to ensure that workplace burdens do not become obstacles that make people hesitate to have children. Asia Economy visited companies leading family-friendly policies to identify the factors that helped these systems settle stably, and plans to explore various solutions with companies that face practical challenges. Through this, we aim to encourage change starting from companies and analyze the government's role in enabling this. We listen to voices emphasizing that company culture and atmosphere that reduce psychological burdens are more critical than financial support, and propose alternatives from diverse perspectives.

"Thanks to a company that treats families like VIPs, I have become a proud mother to my child."

On the afternoon of the 5th, employees who have utilized the company's family-friendly system gathered at the SK Hynix headquarters located in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. Among them were a mother expecting a child in May this year, a working mom with an elementary school child, and a father who took paternity leave. Although they shared different experiences, they all agreed that they now have more balance between work and life.

Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, held an on-site communication meeting titled "Top Family-Friendly Company" at SK Hynix headquarters on the same day to discuss the operation of family-friendly systems with SK Hynix officials. Attendees included Minister Kim, Kim Young-mi, Vice Chairperson of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, and Kim Dong-seop, President of External Cooperation at SK Hynix.

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook visited SK Hynix located in Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the afternoon of the 5th to review the achievements of family-friendly management and discuss opinions on family-friendly systems with employees.
[Photo by Ministry of Gender Equality and Family]

SK Hynix was first certified as a "Family-Friendly Certified Company" by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in 2009 and was selected as a "Top Family-Friendly Company" last year. The family-friendly certification is awarded through an evaluation process to companies and public institutions that exemplary operate family-friendly systems such as childbirth and childcare support, flexible working hours, and fostering a family-friendly workplace culture. Maintaining certification for 15 years qualifies a company to become a top company. Minister Kim's visit to a top family-friendly company is the second since Kyobo Life Insurance in December 2022.

At the meeting, Minister Kim said, "I would like to express my gratitude to SK Hynix, which has maintained family-friendly certification since 2009 and was designated as a top company. We aim to share various opinions to hear about employees' experiences and challenges in using the system. This will serve as a foundation for more companies to participate in family-friendly certification and create a culture where workers can confidently use family-friendly systems guaranteed by laws and policies."

Vice Chairperson Kim also stated, "There are various causes and solutions to the low birthrate problem, but above all, the most important thing is to make our society family-friendly. Young people have expressed that the most desired low birthrate measure is to create an environment where they can work and directly care for their children."

Employees attending the meeting shared their experiences using various in-house family-friendly systems such as flexible working hours, paternity leave, parental leave, and workplace daycare centers.

Kim Ji-yeon, TL (Team Leader) (31, female), who is expecting a child in May this year, said, "I was a promotion candidate last year, so I worried a lot after learning about my pregnancy. But once I informed the company, everyone congratulated me, and the promotion went well." She added, "When pregnant, you receive a pink employee ID card that allows you to sit in the pregnant women's seat on the commuter bus. I can also work a reduced 30-hour week, so I leave work early to take care of my health."

Kim Beom-jo, TL (35, male), whose spouse gave birth in December last year, explained, "I was able to attend regular monthly checkups with my wife 100% by using the 'Happy Friday (4-day workweek)' and hub office system. I worked only in the morning flexibly, went to the hospital, and made up for overtime in the afternoon." He added, "I took paternity leave after the child was born, using half of it now and planning to use the rest after the Lunar New Year. Thanks to this, I am considering having a second child."

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook is attending the 'Family-Friendly Top Companies On-Site Communication Meeting' held at SK Hynix in Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the afternoon of the 5th and is taking a commemorative photo with the participants.
[Photo by Ministry of Gender Equality and Family]

There was also talk about the company making institutional changes compared to the past. Kim Jun-mo, Nand Business Strategy Team Leader (42, female), said, "My child is in 6th grade, but I have only met the elementary school homeroom teacher once so far. Hearing today, I realized that systems that did not exist when I joined the company have been created, and the company has improved a lot." She continued, "After families attended the company's family invitation events, I felt that even when I worked late, my child was proud of me. It gave me strength to keep going even when I was exhausted," holding back tears.

Opinions were also raised about the need for government support for workplace daycare centers. Wi Geun-young, TL (31, female), who serves as the chairperson of the workplace daycare center at SK Hynix, said, "I am satisfied sending my child to the in-house daycare, but as the birthrate declines, the number of children enrolled decreases year by year. If the government provides more support, we could trust and send our children more confidently." Minister Kim and Vice Chairperson Kim responded, "We will consult closely with the Ministry of Employment and Labor."

Regarding the in-house family-friendly system, President Kim emphasized, "Because we are a technology company, attracting and retaining talented people is important. To continue working with outstanding people, we must provide an environment where they can work comfortably."

On the day, Minister Kim actively encouraged the introduction of 'paternity parental leave' in addition to the 10 days of paternity leave. President Kim replied, "We will consider ways to cover work gaps when members are absent and review various options."

Special Coverage Team 'K-Population Strategy - Gender Equality is the Answer'

Reporters: Kim Yuri, Lee Hyun-joo, Jung Hyun-jin, Boo Ae-ri, Gong Byung-seon, Park Joon-i, Song Seung-seop
Editor: Kim Pil-su, Economy & Finance