POSCO’s supportive policies have led to a positive shift in attitudes towards paternal involvement in childcare among the company’s employees. Recent data from POSCO indicates a significant surge in the number of male employees taking advantage of their parental leave over the past four years.

According to figures released by POSCO on Tuesday, the number of male employees who went on parental leave increased almost fourfold to 115 in 2023 from 33 in 2019.

There has also been a noticeable rise in male employees opting for flexible work arrangements for childcare purposes. The count of male employees using flexible work options within the company jumped to 721 in 2023 from 416 in 2019.

The increase in male employees taking parental leave and opting for flexible work arrangements is attributed to the company’s efforts to foster a supportive internal culture where employees feel comfortable taking time off for childcare responsibilities.

POSCO operates its parental leave program by extending the statutory one-year leave by an additional year, allowing employees to take up to two years of leave per child. The company also recognizes parental leave as part of the employee’s tenure, ensuring there are no disadvantages in terms of career progression. When returning to work, employees are given priority consideration for placement in their desired department as well as taking their career history and preferences into consideration.

A good example is POSCO deputy manager Kim Hwan, who is one half of South Korea’s first couple to have quadruplets via natural childbirth in 2022. He was promoted from a regular employee to a deputy manager during his two years and four months of parental leave and was recently reassigned to his desired department after evaluation of his departmental needs and childcare arrangements.

By Cho Yun-hee and Minu Kim

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