Cheonan City to pilot 4.5-day work week for public officials

Cheonan City has announced the pilot implementation of a 4.5-day work week starting on the 28th. The initiative aims to foster a flexible working environment and support work-life balance for public officials.

Under the new system, employees will maintain a 40-hour work week by working nine hours a day from Monday to Thursday, followed by a four-hour shift on Friday. To prevent gaps in administrative services, the city will limit participants to within 30% of the total staff in each department. The pilot program includes all city hall officials, including fixed-term and part-time employees, while discussions regarding public service workers under the Labor Standards Act will continue through labor-management negotiations.

Following an analysis of efficiency and satisfaction during the fourth quarter, the city plans to expand the program to all employees by March next year. Cheonan City Mayor Jang Gi-su stated that the goal is to increase employee focus and recharge opportunities while ensuring administrative services remain uninterrupted.