Women Policy Research Institute: "Increase in Female Employment in Companies Implementing Flexible Work Systems... Clear in Small and Medium Enterprises"

A study has found that the number of employed women increased in companies implementing flexible work systems such as selective work hours, flexible work hours, and telecommuting.

On the 17th, according to a study analyzed by the Korea Women's Development Institute (KWDI) based on the Korea Labor Institute's 'Establishment Panel Survey,' companies that introduced flexible work systems in 2021 saw a 4.7% increase in the number of employed women compared to companies that did not implement such systems during the same period.

This effect was more pronounced in smaller companies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that adopted flexible work systems experienced a 6.8% increase in female employment compared to those that did not, while large corporations showed no significant change.

Jung Sung-mi, the lead researcher at KWDI, stated, "We confirmed the positive aspects of expanding the system, such as the significant employment effect for women in SMEs resulting from the implementation of flexible work systems," adding, "It is important to note that in European countries with high female employment rates and birth rates, both men and women have high usage rates of flexible work systems."

This study is scheduled to be presented at the KWDI's '41st Anniversary Seminar' the following day. At the seminar, Shin Woo-ri, a senior researcher at KWDI, and Koo Mi-young, a researcher at KWDI, will present their research on topics including 'The Effect of Family-Friendly Certification on Enhancing Work-Life Balance and Support Measures for SMEs' and 'Issues Related to the Obligation to Adjust Working Conditions for Family Care Workers and Tasks for Legal and Institutional Improvement.' Following the presentations, discussions will be held with Choi Sung-ji, Director of Family Policy at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family; Lim Young-mi, Director of Integrated Employment Policy at the Ministry of Employment and Labor; Lim Ho-geun, Director of Population Strategy at the Low Fertility and Aging Society Commission; and Jang Soo-jung, President of the Korean Association of Family and Social Welfare.