[News Terms] 'Worabl', A Keyword That Both Labor and Management Can Be Satisfied With?

Mixing Work and Life to Realize Value
Focus on Gen Z's Work Values
Positive Response to Lunch and Run, Workation, Four-Day Workweek, etc.

"How to immerse employees in their work?"

This has long been one of the unresolved challenges for managers. Many managers cite 'employee engagement' as the key driver for achieving business performance. Employee engagement refers to employees doing their best to perform tasks to achieve the organization's goals. It can improve individual work performance as well as foster autonomy and creativity. The problem is that employee engagement is difficult to actually manifest.

Amid this, 'Work-Life Blending (Worabl)' is gaining attention. Worabl, meaning the blending of work and life, is somewhat different from Work-Life Balance (Worabal). While Worabal sets clear boundaries between work and life and separates them to maintain balance, Worabl mixes work and life appropriately to realize the value of life through work. Worabl can take various forms. It can be 'Deok-eop-ilchi'?turning a favorite activity into a profession. It can also involve leveraging one’s hobbies or special skills in work. Or it may appear as engaging in side jobs after work.

Office worker on a workation [Photo by Akyung DB]

Worabl holds particular significance for Generation Z (born in the late 1990s to early 2010s) because they consider work as important as personal life. According to a 2020 survey by the 20s Research Institute at University Tomorrow, the top value Generation Z pursues through work was self-realization (27.1%), followed by intellectual growth (18.6%) and economic activity (11.4%). This contrasts with Generation M (born in the early 1980s to mid-1990s), who ranked economic activity (28.5%) as their top priority.

Interest in Worabl is also high overseas. In Hong Kong, human resource management methods that emphasize Worabl for Generation Z have become a focus for companies. As more Generation Z employees enter the workforce, attention is being paid to how well they adapt to companies and stay motivated. Human Resources Online, an HR media outlet, cited a survey conducted earlier this year by the online recruitment platform iHire involving 252 employers and 1,093 Generation Z respondents, reporting that Generation Z identified 'a positive work environment,' 'fair and competitive pay,' and 'flexibility to balance work and daily life' as ideal job requirements.

Lunch and Learn
[Photo by AI Image]

In an interview with KOTRA Hong Kong Trade Center, a local HR company in Hong Kong stated, "A large insurance company in Hong Kong has received great responses from employees by implementing a four-day workweek and dedicating time every Friday for team members to exercise together." Recently, more companies in Hong Kong have introduced 'Lunch and Learn' sessions during lunch breaks (30 minutes to 2 hours). 'Lunch and Learn' involves employees eating lunch together while gaining knowledge in areas of interest. It is known to promote employee skill development and foster a friendly workplace atmosphere.

In South Korea, both the private sector and the government have taken steps to create a good workplace culture and environment. They are rebuilding in-house welfare systems from the perspective of Worabl and discussing options such as a four-day workweek. Hanwha Life created an entire floor (40th floor) of its headquarters building, the 63 Building in Yeouido, Seoul, as an exclusive fitness center called '63 Fitness Center' for employees. The recent attention on workations?remote work from hotels or tourist destinations?is also related to Worabl.