Seoul, South Korea – A recent survey by the employment portal Incruit has revealed that an impressive 25.7% of South Korean office workers are planning to take advantage of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday to enjoy a nine-day extended break.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Chuseok, is one of the most significant traditional holidays in South Korea, celebrated annually in September or October. This year, the festival falls on September 29th, and many workers are taking the opportunity to extend their holiday by utilizing their annual leave.
The survey, conducted from September 3rd to 4th, involved 1,055 office workers. When asked about their plans for the two days following the Mid-Autumn Festival (September 19th and 20th), 25.7% of the respondents said they would take two days of annual leave, effectively creating a nine-day holiday. Another 17.1% said they would take one day off, while 57.3% said they would not take any leave.
The main reasons for taking leave include home rest (40.2%), domestic travel (37.7%), returning home for the holiday (24.7%), and overseas travel (21%). The main reasons for not taking leave are a heavy workload (33.6%), lack of encouragement from their employer (27.8%), and concern for their colleagues’ opinions (20.7%).
The extended holiday is a significant development in South Korea, where workers traditionally have limited time off. The survey highlights the growing trend of workers seeking longer breaks to rest and recharge, despite the challenges they face in taking such extended leave.
Another employment portal, Saramin, conducted a separate survey from September 3rd to 10th, involving 1,647 job seekers. The survey found that 74% of the respondents planned to continue looking for jobs during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.
This trend suggests that despite the cultural significance of Chuseok, South Koreans are increasingly focusing on their personal well-being and work-life balance. The extended holiday is a testament to the growing importance of work-life balance in South Korean society.
The Mid-Autumn Festival holiday is also expected to have a significant impact on the country’s tourism and travel industry. With many workers taking advantage of the extended break, travel agencies and hotels are likely to see a surge in bookings during this period.
In addition, the extended holiday may also have an impact on the country’s economy, as workers spend money on travel, entertainment, and other leisure activities.
The survey results highlight the evolving nature of South Korean society, where workers are increasingly seeking a better work-life balance and taking advantage of their rights to annual leave. As the country continues to develop, it remains to be seen how these trends will shape the future of work and leisure in South Korea.
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