New workweek system brings changes to evening life

By Kim Jae-heun

A 30-year-old office worker, Lee Tae-hoon, has been enjoying the 52-hour workweek system since his company implemented it in June. His desktop turns off automatically at 6 p.m. and he has to go home no matter what.

“A lot of things have changed in my life. Before the 52-hour workweek was adopted, there was no way I could leave the office at 6 p.m. I did leave early at 7 p.m. sometimes but that was literally only on occasion. These days, I go home at 6 p.m. sharp and run around the park or watch a movie,” Lee said.

Park Joo-hwan, a merchandiser at a home-shopping company, said he recently started boxing at a gym near his house. His company also shuts down computers in the office after 6 p.m. Park says 99 percent of employees leave work immediately.

“It was hard to leave at 6 p.m. before, when I had to ask my managers if I could go home. He would think that I was a clock-watcher. Now, everyone feels comfortable leaving early because you have to leave according to the law,” Park said.

The government has forced public firms and private companies with over 300 workers to limit work time to 52 hours a week as of July 1. And the new system has changed people's lives in many ways.

People have begun to work efficiently in the morning, too. Park said employees used to spend morning time leisurely, knowing that they would have to work late without a choice. But now morning is a busy working time as well.

“No one wants to work until late if you are not paid more. Now, as they know they will leave at 6 p.m., people work hard in the morning to finish the work before its time to go home,” Park said.

Workers in their 30s to 50s say they have more time to spend with their children and family.

“My wife used to take care of housework and the children alone before. It is a very hard job. But now I can go home early to help her and spend time with my children,” said Cho Chun-sik, who works at a major discount chain store in Seoul.

According to local department store franchise Shinsegae, last month's evening sales after 6 p.m. increased by 8.6 percent compared to a month before.

“More office workers started to stop by at our department stores to shop on weekdays after the 52-hour workweek system was implemented,” a Shinsegae official said. “We are preparing various events for people to enjoy more time at our department stores.”

But there are side effects as well. Employees cannot receive overtime payment if they don't finish daily work on time and do it at home.

“You get paid for working late in the office, but you don't get paid for working at home. Also, you have to come out to the office on the weekend if you don't finish your work during working hours,” Park said.

Cho feels bad that he had to take a salary cut because he can no longer work overtime.

“I used to volunteer for overtime work because the company pays double. It was good money and they give transportation expenses, too,” said Cho.

The new system and its benefits do nothing to affect people working at small companies.

“I didn't even know the country adopted the 52-hour workweek policy. It is not a big concern for people working at small-sized firms,” said Kim Su-hyun, who works at marketing company in Incheon. “Also, we make most money from incentives, so working overnight is almost mandatory for us. The 52-hour workweek system is not an interesting story for me or many others working at small and medium-sized companies.”