OREANDA-NEWS. June 18, 2014. POSCO won `Grand Prize in the Best Company to Work category` of the `1st Annual 100 Most Happy Companies Award,` hosted by the Dong-A Ilbo, at the Seoul Plaza Hotel.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Ministry of Security and Public Administration, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and Ministry of Gender Equality & Family. A total of 25 companies are selected in each industry sector and awarded in recognition of their efforts to strive for the happy development of the company and society.

POSCO`s adherence to family-friendly management over the past 46 years reflects its commitment to `respect for humans`. The award shows that POSCO has been recognized for its efforts to create a company with a good working environment.

The company applied a 4-team 2-shift system in 2011. This system maintains the same amount of working hours per year, but groups them in 4-day intervals, allowing employees to utilize longer days off to focus on travel, enjoy their hobbies, or other aspects of self-development. As a result, employees have become increasingly satisfied with being able to spend more time with their family.

Extending the retirement age from 56 to 58, the salary peak system and the re-employment of retired employees are all policies that have heightened the morale of employees, while having the effect of passing on the work know-how of older employees to young up-and-coming workers.

Internal policies on childbirth and childcare support were also changed to fit with changing social needs. Clauses were added so that female employees who experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth in the early stages of their pregnancy (up to 16 weeks) can use protection absences. Furthermore, leave to attend the birth of a baby by one`s spouse was also extended from 3 to 5 days. There have indeed been various systems and policies implemented so that employees can care for a happy family. They included extending maternity leave to a maximum of 2 years, flexible working hours, and family care leave.