Although how South Korea’s selective work hours system is calculated has increased from one month to three months, it is hard to find any positive reaction from the IT service industry as three months are not enough to apply characteristics of IT projects that require a high degree of focus.
It has been two weeks since the South Korean government enforced the enforcement decree of the Labor Standards Act amendment that is applicable to businesses with at least 50 employees. However, there has yet to be any particular movement from the IT service industry.
The Labor Standards Act amendment (passed by the National Assembly in December last year) and its enforcement decree have increased how South Korea’s selective work hours system is calculated. In other words, how 52 hours of work were averaged by a month is now changed to three months.
Because an employee just needs to average 52 hours a week within three months, it has become easier for employees to manage their work hours. Because employees can be flexible with their work hours in a three months period, businesses have reported improvement in work efficiency.
However, level of expectation from the IT service industry is not very high. IT projects can be varied depending on requests from customers. As a result, the industry believes that it is not logical to apply an uniformed work hours system under such environment. The industry’s position has not changed since the legislation process from last year.
“Although three months is better than one month, regulating how work is performed within a limited duration does not work with the IT service industry.” said one IT developer. “This is because it is difficult to predict time and duration when a system needs to be restored rapidly or a new technology is applied for the first time.”

Photo Image

A representative from a major IT service company said that a past survey showed that a software project causes overtime at least every six months and that not changing how the selective work hour system is calculated from three months to six months will not secure any effectiveness.
During the legislation process from last year, the IT service industry repeatedly stated that it would require six months to a year. However, the amendment ultimately increased the duration from one month to three months only.
The National Assembly was concerned that workers would suffer from the system being abused and that long hours of intensive work would be accepted. It also considered fairness with other industries and application of excessive reasoning.
The gaming industry also believes that three months will not have any effect on its industry as well. There are limitations on how much game developers can adjust their work hours with three months when they need to exercise intensive work for few months right before a game is released.
This is also applicable for other fields that require expertise or specialty such as research and design. Majority believes that there needs to be flexibility that will allow workers to manage their work hours within their work schedule on their own.
A representative for a medium-sized IT service company said that it will not be easy to discuss about additional revisions any time soon as the amendment was enforced not too long ago and that the IT service industry hopes that the South Korean government will continue to put in efforts to improve the selective work hours system as the amendment does not change anything for the industry.
Staff Reporter An, Hocheon | hcan@etnews.com