South Korea supports firms that allow staff to work remotely

The South Korean government will be supporting companies that continue to allow their workers to work from home, despite the easing of pandemic-related measures. 

To ease businesses into adopting a remote working arrangement, the government will help firms adopt a human resource management system, use IT infrastructure, and participate in various public projects.

It will also provide free one-on-one consulting services to businesses that adopt telecommuting arrangements through the Ministry of Employment and Labour’s “work-life balance website”, according to Korea Biomedical Review.

It has also pledged to allocate 3.6 million won (US$2,862) per year for additional personnel and labour management expenses incurred from telecommuting, depending on the number of times a company has adopted the system.

“As we have to live with COVID-19 for a while, telecommuting is a more desirable form in areas where it is required,” said Son Young-rae, head of the social strategy team in South Korea’s Central Disaster Management Headquarters. 

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“The announcement means that the government will make efforts to promote telecommuting, as we believe that the establishment of a telecommuting system is a necessary measure for work-life balance,” added Son.