Understanding Korea’s Leave System: Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Public Holidays 🇰🇷

Hello!

This’s KOWORK, your career platform for foreigners in Korea.
 

If you are employed in Korea, it is important to understand the country's leave policies, including:

• Annual Leave 🏖️
• Sick Leave 🤒
• Public Holidays 🎉
• And company-specific options like half-day leave, quarter-day leave, and hourly leave ⏰🕒.

This guide explains the system clearly by dividing it into two main categories:

1. Legally Mandated Leave ⚖️
2. Company-Specific Leave Policies 🏢
   
    

1. Legally Mandated Leave ⚖️

Annual Leave (연차) 🏖️

Annual leave is paid time off guaranteed by Korean labor law. It is a right granted to employees who meet certain conditions.

• Employees who have worked at least one year and have an attendance rate of 80% or higher are entitled to a minimum of 15 days of paid leave per year.
• The timing of the leave is determined by the employee, and the employer is obligated to grant it.

For employees with less than one year of service:

• A system called monthly paid leave (월차) applies.
• Employees who work a full month without absences earn 1 day of paid leave per month, mainly for new hires.

Sick Leave (병가) 🤒

• Paid sick leave is not required by law in most cases.
• However, specific situations such as work-related injuries or maternity leave are legally protected.
• Many companies offer unpaid sick leave, or may require the use of annual or half-day leave to cover absences due to illness.

→ Sick leave policies vary by employer, and a medical certificate may be required. 🩺

Public Holidays (공휴일) 🎉

• Designated public holidays are considered paid holidays for workers.
• Substitute holidays (e.g., Lunar New Year, Chuseok, Children’s Day) are also paid.
• If a holiday falls on a weekend, no additional compensation is provided.

Note: Some companies may not observe all government holidays, so it is advisable to check the employment contract. 📄

2. Company-Specific Leave Policies 🏢

Half-Day Leave (반차) ⏳

This system allows an employee to use one full day of annual leave in two 4-hour segments.

• Based on a standard 8-hour workday.
• Employees can usually choose either a morning or afternoon half-day.
• Two half-day leaves equal one full annual leave day.

Implementation may vary by company; please refer to internal policies.

Quarter-Day Leave (반반차) ⏲️

An increasingly common option that allows annual leave to be divided into four 2-hour segments.

• 1 annual leave day = 4 uses of 2-hour leave
• Offers greater flexibility than half-day leave
• Often used for brief tasks such as bank visits or medical appointments 🏦🏥

Not all employers offer this option. Availability depends on company policy.

Hourly Leave (시간단위 연차) ⏰

A more detailed form of leave allowing employees to take time off in 1-hour or 30-minute units.

• Typically available in companies with flexible work arrangements
• Commonly supported by time management systems like Shiftee 💻

Availability depends on the employer's internal systems and policies.

Comparison of Similar Leave Types 🔍

Quarter-Day Leave (반반차)  vs. Early Leave (조퇴)

Example: Leaving 2 hours early? Using quarter-day leave avoids salary deduction. 🙌

Sick Leave vs. Annual Leave 🤒🏖️

Final Notes 📝

• Annual leave is a legally protected right.
• Half-day, quarter-day, sick leave, and other types may vary by employer. Always check your employment contract and company regulations.
• For sick leave or early departures, notify your employer in advance and prepare any required documentation. 

A clear understanding of Korea’s leave system can help employees better manage their work-life balance 💼🏡.

📩 For any questions, please contact KOWORK. 📩