Can a shorter workweek boost productivity and well-being in South Korea?

SHAH ALAM - South Korea, known for its gruelling work hours, has launched a groundbreaking experiment to improve the well-being of its workforce.

The country has implemented a four-day workweek trial in Gyeonggi province, allowing employees from over 50 organisations to choose between a shorter workweek every fortnight or reduced hours each week.

This trial is part of a broader global movement advocating for a reduced workweek, as reported by Semafor, an online media portal.

"South Korea has one of the highest numbers of average annual work hours in the world.

“In late 2023, its government even introduced a proposal to extend the maximum workweek to 69 hours, eventually withdrawing the plan after young people said it would affect their well-being and work-life balance,” online media reported recently.

The report highlighted South Korea’s notoriously demanding work culture, where long hours have led to elevated stress levels and widespread burnout among workers.

In late 2023, the government faced strong opposition, particularly from younger workers, after proposing to extend the maximum workweek to 69 hours.

Concerns over well-being and work-life balance led to the plan’s withdrawal, prompting a reassessment of work policies, including the potential advantages of a reduced workweek.

As the four-day workweek trial begins, proponents argued that it could reduce stress and burnout without sacrificing productivity.

This shift is viewed as a critical move to address South Korea's falling fertility rates and shrinking population, as the country’s demanding work culture has forced many women to choose between family and career.

Meanwhile, Wealth Media recently emphasised that one of the key reasons behind the trial is to allow couples more time together while also tackling larger societal challenges.

“The decision will try to start addressing deeper societal concerns, such as low fertility rates and the pressures faced by women balancing career and family,” read the caption on Sunday.

This initiative is seen as a vital step toward improving work-life balance in a country where work often overshadows personal life.

Although still in its early stages, the trial marks a significant shift in South Korea’s approach to work and family life, possibly setting an example for other nations facing similar issues.

Globally, the momentum for a four-day workweek is gaining traction, with countries like the UK exploring similar measures.

A trial in the UK, reported by The Telegraph, revealed benefits like improved employee well-being.

However, it's essential to note that reducing workdays alone may not be the sole solution to employee dissatisfaction.

“Gallup’s survey also found in 2022 that the well-being of employees who worked four days a week didn’t increase significantly compared to those who worked a standard five-day schedule.

“Reducing the workweek may be more beneficial to employees who don’t have the option to work remotely, to “reduce the chance that they will perceive work as miserable,” read the article.