Seoul Auction Selected as '2025 Korea Work-Life Balance Excellence Company'

Certified by the Ministry of Employment and Labor

Seoul Auction, an art auctioneer, announced on December 3 that it has been selected as a '2025 Korea Work-Life Balance Excellence Company,' an initiative led by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Seoul Auction Selected as a '2025 Korea Work-Life Balance Excellence Company'. Provided by Seoul Auction

The 'Korea Work-Life Balance Excellence Company' certification is a program by the Ministry of Employment and Labor that selects outstanding companies actively supporting employees' work-life balance and provides various benefits to promote the spread of such culture in the industrial sector. Companies are comprehensively evaluated based on both qualitative and quantitative indicators, including their working environment, welfare systems, flexible work arrangements, and family-friendly culture.

Seoul Auction was included in the list of outstanding companies based on high marks in several areas: activation of flexible work arrangements, reduction of working hours and overtime, establishment of a culture that encourages the free use of leave, and childcare support systems that exceed legal standards.

Seoul Auction introduced a flexible work system in 2020, and as of 2024, more than 95% of all employees utilize both the flexible start-and-end time system and the selective working hours system. During busy auction seasons, employees focus on their work, while in less busy periods, working hours are reduced, thereby increasing both work efficiency and employee satisfaction. Additionally, through the 'Great Place to Work Organizational Culture Campaign,' the company has pursued zero overtime, resulting in overtime hours in the first quarter of 2025 being reduced to one-third of the previous year's level.

The company also stands out for its culture of actively encouraging employees to use their leave. By utilizing sandwich holidays and company-wide shutdown periods, Seoul Auction achieved an annual leave usage rate of 101% in 2024. Starting in 2025, the company has further enhanced flexibility by introducing a 'half-half day off' system, allowing employees to take leave in two-hour increments, and a special paid leave called 'SA Family Day' for family events. Long-term employees are provided with bonuses and refresh leave to ensure key talent can take adequate breaks.

Seoul Auction spares no effort in supporting a family-friendly work environment. The company pays full maternity leave benefits for 90 days, exceeding the legally required 60 days, and allows employees to take paid leave for major events such as their children's school entrance and graduation ceremonies.

In addition, to foster a horizontal and vibrant organizational culture, Seoul Auction operates various communication channels, including a 'Buddy Program' to help new hires adapt, a 'Junior Board' that reflects employees' voices, and lunch meetings with the CEO.

A Seoul Auction representative stated, "This certification is the result of not just introducing new systems, but also the joint efforts of management and employees to deeply root a culture that respects work-life balance in daily life. Moving forward, we will continue to reflect employees' real voices through internal suggestion programs and strive to create an environment where all members can be satisfied both at work and in their personal lives."