Samsung adopts 4-day workweek to retain talent
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — Memory chipmaking giant Samsung Electronics will be giving its non-factory, full-time staff in South Korea one Friday off each month starting next week.
According to the company’s spokesperson, the employees can take the day off when they get paychecks, usually the week of the 21st.
Local reports said the decision is part of Samsung’s effort to retain and attract talent who increasingly value flexible work.
South Korea’s corporate culture is shifting despite its reputation as one of the world’s most overworked nations. Most younger workers now value work-life balance.
This change is especially highlighted in Samsung as Millennials and Generation Z comprise about 40% of its 120,000 South Korean employees.
Samsung’s decision also mirrors local rival SK Hynix, which allows its employees to take Friday off once a month if they work more than 40 hours a week on average.
Tech giant Kakao Corp also gives employees the last Friday off each month, its subsidiary Kakao Games gives two Fridays off each month, while content company CJ ENM gives workers two Fridays off a month.
