Information technology (IT) companies that took the lead in the spread of telecommuting during the Corona 19 (new coronavirus infection) are returning to ‘go to work mode’ one after another. It is interpreted that it is because of the judgment that it is more productive to go to the office and work according to the nature of the work. Although reactions are mixed, some employees are expressing dissatisfaction with the move to change the already accustomed work-from-home system back to work. There is even a saying that “working from home is an important factor to consider when changing jobs.”
Kakao “Discussing a new work system”… Will the 4-day work week ‘surprise’ disappear?
According to the industry on the 26th, Pangyo IT companies that preemptively introduced telecommuting in the aftermath of Corona 19 are recently turning to work directly at the office. Following the game industry, Kakao is also discussing with the employee council and labor unions about a new work system to be applied from the new year instead of the remote work system introduced from last July.
In the meantime, Kakao has been implementing a ‘hybrid type work system’ that mixes traditional office work and home work. Until now, if you want, you can 100% stay at home and go to work voluntarily depending on the situation. But lately, signs of change have begun to appear. It is reported that Kakao CEO Hong Eun-taek mentioned the change in the work system at an internal open talk event last month.
As there are departments that require attendance, it is expected that the work system will be refined. A Kakao official said, “We are discussing internally, but nothing has been decided yet.” It is also a matter of interest whether to maintain the ‘every other week’s play (not going to work on Friday) system, which was envied by the industry. An industry insider hinted, “I know that not only the industry but also the insiders are interested in how Kakao’s new work system will come out.”
Most of the game industry has ended working from home since last June. The judgment that the team members should communicate quickly and increase their work concentration in time for the release of the game worked. Usually, when a new game is released, quick communication with various departments, including development, is required in a short period of time, but when working from home, there were difficulties such as delayed feedback.
Netmarble chairman Bang Jun-hyuk also mentioned at a press conference in January that “the game development has been difficult since the telecommuting system has been implemented since 2020.” In fact, Netmarble switched to a company-wide office work system.
NCsoft and Nexon are also continuing their trend of going directly to the office next year. On the 21st, through an in-house notice, NC made the company-wide attendance system official, saying, “As a result of reviewing for six months, face-to-face commuting is more necessary in the current situation.” Lee Jeong-heon, CEO of Nexon Korea, also announced at a recent in-house town hall meeting that he would continue the face-to-face work system. Representative Lee explained, “In order to maximize the effect of collaboration and communication, it is more beneficial to maintain face-to-face work under the current situation.”
“It was nice to work from home” vs “Work productivity increases when I go to work”
Employees have mixed opinions about the IT industry’s decision to end telecommuting and return to work. When telecommuting is over, some respond that “the separation between work and private life will become clearer and work productivity will increase,” while others said, “It’s a pity that I don’t have to spend time commuting.”
Person A, an IT company employee living in Pangyo, said, “I felt frustrated because I started working from home and the feedback from my team members was getting delayed. I felt it would be better to go to work face-to-face.” I think it will go up,” he said. He added, “I can’t ignore ideas that come from face-to-face meetings or face-to-face meetings at the company. I don’t think staying at home is the best.”
Mr. B, who joined as a new employee during the Corona 19 period, said, “It’s been a year since I joined the company, but there are members who don’t really know their faces because they communicate only through messenger.” It often happens,” he said.
There are also opinions that oppose the end of telecommuting. IT company developer C said, “Before Corona 19, I was exhausted just commuting, so I liked working from home.” Another IT company employee, Mr. D, said, “It’s nice that I can avoid unnecessary makeup because I work from home, and I don’t feel stressed because I only make necessary calls.”
An industry insider said, “Even if Corona 19 is completely over, it will be difficult to return to the previous working style 100%.” The attendance system will gradually take root,” he predicted.
Reporter Jo Ara Hankyung.com rrang123@hankyung.com