Philip Morris Korea offers employees extended parental leave

An employee at Philip Morris Korea holds a banner promoting a new parental leave policy at the companay's office in Yeouido, western Seoul. [PHILIP MORRIS KOREA]

Philip Morris Korea has announced a new parental leave policy designed to allow primary and secondary caregivers to take paid leave for extended periods.

Primary caregivers working at the Korean branch of the multinational tobacco company will be given up to 18 weeks, or 126 days, of paid leave. Korean law ensures up to 90 days of paid parental leave. Secondary caregivers will be entitled for up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave compared to 10 days stipulated by the law.

Philip Morris Korea said on Wednesday that the new policy will be available to adoptive parents and guardians.

The company explained that the change is intended to enhance morale of workers by helping them balance work and life.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]