What is the 4.5-Day Workweek?
The 4.5-day workweek combines four full days (32 hours) with one half-day (4 hours), totaling 36 hours per week. Pilot programs began in March 2025 in regions like Gyeonggi Province, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor is providing time-limited subsidies through 2027 via its "Work-Life Balance+4.5 Project."
Government Support Amounts
Incentive Subsidy
Wage Compensation Support
Why SMEs Are Considering Adoption
Practical Adoption Strategy
1. Start with a Pilot Department
Run pilots in office functions or lower-impact departments before company-wide rollout.
2. Redesign Processes Alongside Hour Reduction
Simply cutting hours without process changes leads to lower productivity. Pair the transition with automation and digital tools to complete the same work in less time.
3. Pre-Calculate Wage Compensation
Calculate compensable amounts based on each employee's ordinary wage to forecast labor cost changes.
4. Link to New Hire Subsidies
Filling work gaps from reduced hours with new hires also qualifies for additional hiring subsidies.
How to Apply
Apply through the Ministry of Employment and Labor's "Work-Life Balance+4.5 Project" or your local employment center, which requires submitting an adoption plan and amending work rules.
Contact KITIM
KITIM supports SMEs with 4.5-day workweek adoption strategy, government subsidy applications, and process redesign. Contact us through [KITIM Contact](/contact) for a consultation.