Samsung has decided to offer its employees in South Korea the opportunity to have Fridays off in an attempt to retain talented workers who increasingly prefer a flexible work schedule. According to a Bloomberg report, starting next week, non-factory staff will be able to take a day off on payday, which is usually the 21st of each month.
Samsung made this decision after its local competitor, SK Hynix, introduced a similar flexible workweek last year, allowing employees to take one day off per month if they work more than 40 hours a week. Other South Korean technology companies, including the popular social platform Kakao, have also implemented more flexible working conditions after the pandemic.
According to Bloomberg, residents of South Korea are among the most overworked people in the world, with an average of 200 more working hours in 2021 compared to OECD member countries.
These measures are taken to retain talent, especially among young workers who value work-life balance. According to the company’s report for the previous year, millennials and Generation Z (those aged 30 and younger) make up about three-quarters of Samsung’s workforce worldwide.
A representative from Samsung stated, “The company aims to create a new Friday culture that encourages employees to follow trends and develop understanding.”
