Lotte Duty Free extends telecommuting, introduces four-day working week

Lotte Duty Free CEO Kap Lee says the welfare of staff must come first

SOUTH KOREA. Lotte Duty Free has stepped up its commitment to employee safety during the COVID-19 crisis with a series of new or extended workplace measures.

The retailer said that it is committed to employee wellbeing by implementing the practices.

Lotte Duty Free is extending telecommuting (working from home) for employees at its Myeong-dong headquarters until Wednesday 11 March. It is also reducing workplace congestion through four-day working weeks from 9 to 31 March and the introduction of selective work schedules.

As reported, the retailer introduced telecommuting for head office staff on 28 February, initially until 6 March. However, the COVID-19 crisis has escalated dramatically since then. As of 15.15 Korean time today, 7,134 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been recorded in South Korea compared with 1,595 at 9a.m. local time on 27 February, a +347% increase.

Since 15 February Lotte Duty Free has also been offering short-term leave of absence for two weeks for employees who wish to take care of their family.

Lotte is striving to minimise infection among its headquarters employees

In addition, staff restaurants are offering health-oriented menus featuring an immunity-enhancing diet. The number of people gathered at one time is being minimised by adjusting the hours of restaurant use by department. In addition, screens have been placed on dining tables to prevent cross-infection.

How COVID-19 is affecting various South Korean cities. To underline how steeply the outbreak is escalating, the 6,767 tally shown here as of 0:00 7 March had grown to 7,134 by 15.15 Korea time the next day. Source: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Click to enlarge)

Lotte Duty Free CEO Kap Lee said that the company plans to use the pilot telecommuting programme both to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to trial it as a potential introduction of smart work systems in the future.

As reported, Lotte Duty Free formed an emergency response committee on 24 January headed by Kap Lee as Chairman. The retailer is conducting stringent health and safety measures, including the disinfecting of its stores more than six times a day. In addition to mandating the wearing of masks by all employees, the retailer also provides masks to customers.

 

 

 

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