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- Working hours in South Korea define the length of time workers are allowed to be on the job in South Korea. In the 1960s, South Korea began to transform itself from an agricultural economy to an industrial, service and high-tech-oriented economy. Since then, the country's per capita GDP increased from US$100 in 1963 to US$35,300 in 2014, turning South Korea into the 20th largest economy in the world. In the process, work hours increased. According to OECD figures, annual working hour levels in South Korea were at 2,005/worker in 2018. As a consequence, Korea now ranks 3rd worldwide, compared to 1,786 annual hours in the US, 1,538 in the UK, and 1,363 in Germany (the lowest among OECD countries). Koreans work such long hours, among other reasons, because of the Korean industrial system and nighttime culture. South Korea's corporate culture resembles that of Japan–hierarchical and with significant subcontracting, both factors increasing working hours. Even though Korea has a statutory limit working week of 40 hours/week, also allowing for 12 hours of paid overtime on weekdays and 16 hours on weekends, manufacturing companies such as the automobile industry operate at a non-stop basis. In addition, cafes, transportation, pubs, restaurants, private study rooms, shopping malls, and fast food restaurants also operate continuously. Although the Labor Standard Act has previously sets statutory limits, enforcement is weak and employers routinely violate the Act. Those searching for a work to life balance have argued that a reduction in the hours in an average workday would lead to an enhancement in the current work to life balance of Korean workers. However, those changes would require a substantial transformation of the Korean corporate culture (Beech 2020). Work to life balance seems harder to achieve for women in South Korea's working culture. Not only do women have to deal with the long working hours they also have to deal with the hierarchical corporate structure that follows the philosophy of Confucianism. A study by Sunyoung Park found proof that the company atmosphere may possibly affect the family lives of female workers. “While an organizational atmosphere that is friendly and cooperative to women creates positive energy for family life, a repressive and hostile atmosphere for women negatively affects the family life of female workers” (Park 2019). That being said, if an organization creates an good working environment and offers support, employees will have less difficulty meeting their work and family requirements. “In particular, female employees who are expected to spend more time on family activities than their male counterparts are less likely to feel strain between their work and family roles if they receive support in a family-friendly environment in their organizations” (Park 2019). (en)
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| rdfs:comment
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- Working hours in South Korea define the length of time workers are allowed to be on the job in South Korea. In the 1960s, South Korea began to transform itself from an agricultural economy to an industrial, service and high-tech-oriented economy. Since then, the country's per capita GDP increased from US$100 in 1963 to US$35,300 in 2014, turning South Korea into the 20th largest economy in the world. In the process, work hours increased. According to OECD figures, annual working hour levels in South Korea were at 2,005/worker in 2018. As a consequence, Korea now ranks 3rd worldwide, compared to 1,786 annual hours in the US, 1,538 in the UK, and 1,363 in Germany (the lowest among OECD countries). (en)
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