[K Population Strategy] "We Don't Watch the Company's Mood"... What Is the Best Gender Equality Policy Chosen by Emart MZ Employees?

Interview with Emart Male and Female Employees
Female Employee "Reduced Working Hours During Pregnancy a Great Help"
Male Employee "Highest Satisfaction with Paternity Leave"

The morning commute, often called the "war path of working moms." Myo Yeonjeong, a 31-year-old manager in the PR team at Emart with a 22-month-old daughter, experiences a relatively smooth start. Thanks to the in-house daycare center that cares for employees' children from ages 0 to 3, she can use her morning time generously. Around 8:30 a.m., Manager Myo drops off her son at the daycare located on the first floor of Emart's headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, then heads to her office to start the day.

The daycare operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., matching the company's working hours. Considering unavoidable overtime, extended care is also available until 7:30 p.m.

Myo-yeon Jeong, Manager of the Emart Public Relations Team, cited the company's shortened working hours system during pregnancy as the most helpful maternity protection policy.

"The Best In-House Welfare is the Daycare"

Manager Myo named the in-house daycare as Emart's best 'maternity protection policy.' She said, "As soon as my child was born, I applied for a public daycare within my apartment complex, but the waiting list was number 100." She added, "Although commuting by car in the morning is a burden, I am very satisfied with the daycare environment at the company."

During pregnancy, the reduced working hours system was also a great help. This system allows pregnant employees to work reduced hours matching pre-pregnancy working hours from the time of pregnancy until maternity leave without any salary deduction. Emart's standard working hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., totaling 7 hours per day, but pregnant women can work 5 hours by reducing 2 hours. The salary is paid 100%. Manager Myo used the reduced working hours system from the 8th week of pregnancy until her last working day. She said, "As a first-time mother, I was very concerned about my health and had to visit the hospital frequently during the week, but it was great not to be constrained by money or time. Thanks to this, I think I was able to work at the company until a week before giving birth."

She did feel some pressure from colleagues. There was a female senior in the team who announced her pregnancy two months earlier than Manager Myo. She admitted, "I did feel that it might be a burden on the team, but I actually received many congratulations, being called a patriot, so I think I worried unnecessarily." Manager Myo said, "With the current childbirth and childcare environment, I even think I could have one more child," adding, "While it is good to have detailed maternity protection policies, it is important for corporate culture to be established so that people do not first think, 'Can I use this?' or 'Will I be a nuisance?'"

"I Took Paternity Leave Without Worrying About Others"

The beneficiaries of Emart's maternity protection policies are not only women. Male employees also receive benefits. Emart is credited with helping break the old stereotype that "childcare is a woman's responsibility."

Choi Jinyoung, a 33-year-old manager in Emart's Planning Headquarters and part of an in-house couple, is a father of two sons aged 2 and 3. When his wife, who took maternity and parental leave, found it difficult to care for both sons alone, Choi also took parental leave for 1 year and 2 months. Emart grants female employees a total of 2 years of parental leave per child, which includes the statutory 1 year plus an additional 1 year.

Choi said, "The company’s internal atmosphere played a big role in my decision to take parental leave without hesitation," adding, "Not only senior male colleagues but also peers freely took parental leave as needed." When Choi decided to take parental leave, his colleagues encouraged him by saying, "Take good care of your children and come back."

During his parental leave, he was able to fully focus on his children. By personally caring for his newborn second son, he experienced the challenges of childcare and, with more time available, created various memories with his children. He also became closer to both sons. Choi said, "In the long run, parental leave was an opportunity that laid the foundation for better family relationships," and added, "Since childcare support systems and maternity protection policies are well established and easy to use, I hope many other employees will take advantage of them."