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:
- Legally Mandated Leave ⚖️
- 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)
Category | Quarter-Day Leave ⏲️ | Early Leave (조퇴) 🚪 |
---|---|---|
Compensation | Paid (deducted from annual leave) | Unpaid (deducted from salary) |
Purpose | Planned personal matters | Unexpected or emergency situations |
Use Case | Scheduled in advance | Usually unplanned |
Example: Leaving 2 hours early? Using quarter-day leave avoids salary deduction. 🙌
Sick Leave vs. Annual Leave 🤒🏖️
Category | Sick Leave | Annual Leave |
---|---|---|
Paid? | Depends on company policy | Paid (legally guaranteed) |
Usage | When ill | At employee’s discretion |
Documentation | May require medical proof 🩺 | Often no documentation required |
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. 📩