Invest KOREA

Maternity Leave Before and After Childbirth

Employers shall grant pregnant women a total of 90 days of maternity leave (120 days if she is pregnant with two or more babies at a time) which may be taken before and after childbirth. In such cases, 45 days (60 days if she is pregnant with two or more babies at a time) or more shall be granted after childbirth.

Reduction of Work Hours during Pregnancy Periods

Upon request, employers are required to permit female employees, who have been pregnant for not more than 12 weeks or for not less than 36 weeks, a reduction of two hours per day in working hours. In such cases, however, employers shall not cut the employee’s wages. Employers may allow the working hours of female employees, which are shorter than eight hours a day, to be reduced to six hours.

Paternity Leave

Upon request, employers should grant any male employee whose spouse has given birth ten days of paid holiday leave. Such claims must be made within ninety days of the date of childbirth.

Childcare Leave

When an employee parenting a child (including an adopted one) age eight or younger, or in the first or second grade in elementary school, applies for a leave of absence, the employer shall grant the permission. The period of childcare leave shall not exceed one year, and employers shall not dismiss or take any other disadvantageous measures against an employee due to childcare leave or dismiss the employee during the period of childcare leave. The period shall be included in the employee’s record of continuous years of service.