Gangwon Province Selects "Work-Life Balance No.1 Zone" as Family-Friendly Work Policies See Sharp Increase in Utilization

Promoting Tangible Changes for a Family-Friendly Workplace Culture

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on September 9 that it had selected departments that took the lead in creating a family-friendly organizational culture by actively utilizing childcare time and flexible work systems for two months from July to August as the "Work-Life Balance No.1 Zone."

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province selected departments that actively utilized childcare time and flexible working hours from July to August for two months to lead the creation of a family-friendly organizational culture as the "Work-Life Balance No.1 Zone." Photo by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province

The selected departments are the Potato Seed Promotion Institute's Potato Foundation Seed Farm, the Youth Employment Division, and the Forest Fire Prevention Center. The utilization rate of childcare time and flexible work systems among employees in these departments exceeds 90%.

In addition, the utilization rates of childcare time and flexible work systems across all departments were 77.8% and 14.2%, respectively, representing increases of 4.9 percentage points and 4.8 percentage points compared to the same period last year.

The province has consistently worked to improve and promote childcare policies to foster a family-friendly workplace culture.

In July, the province lowered the approval authority for the use of childcare time from division heads to team leaders, making the system more accessible.

Encouragement letters signed by the governor were also sent to employees on parental leave and those returning to work, supporting the value of childcare and providing psychological encouragement.

Through the "Little DJ's Message of Love" program, which broadcasts supportive messages from employees' children during morning announcements, the province delivered family support and affection, contributing to a positive organizational atmosphere.

Yeo Jung-hyup, Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "A family-friendly workplace culture is more than just a welfare measure; it is the foundation for improving the quality of administration and strengthening organizational capabilities. We will continue to create an environment where work and life are balanced and employees can take pride in their work."