First time-choice civil servant promoted to senior grade: “Working hours must not become a barrier”

South Korea has promoted a time-choice civil servant to the fifth-grade senior rank for the first time, in what the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family described as the first such appointment across government agencies.

Time-choice civil servants work between 15 and 35 hours a week. The ministry said it had evaluated the promoted employee based on performance and capability, ensuring that reduced working hours did not result in disadvantages in promotion or assessment.

The employee entered government service at grade six in June 2015. Their work included developing a plan to integrate and expand gender equality centers, operating a new regional youth communication project, strengthening the gender-impact assessment system, and building tailored training infrastructure to prevent sexual harassment, sexual violence and digital sex crimes in the public sector.

The time-choice civil service system was introduced in December 2013. Employees are hired to work reduced hours while retaining the status and job security of regular civil servants. Recruitment took place from 2014 to 2018, mainly for grades seven and below, although central government departments can hire at higher grades after consultation. Minimum promotion periods, performance assessments and pay are calculated in proportion to working hours.

The ministry employs 11 time-choice civil servants, including one on leave. Minister Won Min-kyung said, “This promotion shows that differences in working arrangements must not become barriers to performance evaluations, career growth or promotion in public service.”

“

This promotion shows that differences in working arrangements must not become barriers to performance evaluations, career growth or promotion in public service.