First in the Nation: Groundbreaking Remote Work Days Based on Number of Children Under 8
Mayor Lee Kangdeok Says, "Creating a Work-Childcare Balance to Overcome Low Birthrate Crisis"
Pohang City is taking the lead in fostering a culture that supports child-rearing and promotes work-life balance by implementing bold remote work policies for employees raising young children.
Starting in October, the city will launch the nation's first pilot program of the "Pohang City Hybrid Work System," which grants remote work days based on the number of children for public officials with children aged 8 or younger (second grade elementary school or below), a period when parental attention is most crucial.
The "Pohang City Hybrid Work System" was created in response to the seriousness of the low birthrate issue, aiming to set an example in the public sector by boldly mixing in-office and remote work to support and encourage childbirth and childcare.
The number of remote work days increases according to the number of children under the age of 8: for two children, two days of remote work per week; for three children, three days per week, and so on.
Unlike remote work systems currently implemented in some other local governments, which allow only one day of remote work per week (requiring four days in the office), the Pohang City Hybrid Work System expands this scope, ensuring a more family-friendly environment.
However, employees responsible for public service tasks such as civil affairs, fieldwork, or those whose roles require a high level of security, as well as frontline workers, are excluded from the remote work program.
During remote work, employees must remain reachable at all times via office phone forwarding to mobile devices and messenger apps, and must manage daily plans and work progress to prevent any gaps in service.
Mayor Lee Kangduk stated, "We will continue to expand various support systems to help public officials raising children achieve work-life balance, as part of efforts to overcome the serious social issue of low birthrate," adding, "I hope these efforts contribute to creating a society where it is easier to have and raise children."
In addition, Pohang City is preparing a variety of new and expanded special leave policies separate from the hybrid work system, such as ▲New Employee Leap Leave ▲Childcare Special Leave ▲Wedding Anniversary Leave ▲Pregnancy and Infertility Spouse Accompaniment Leave ▲Healing Leave, as well as various incentives to support a balanced life and boost employee morale.
The Pohang City Hybrid Work System will be piloted until the end of the year, after which feedback from employees will be collected and improvements made, with full implementation planned for next year.
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