[Chungbuk Ilbo] Nongkyung Co., Ltd. (CEO Koo Ja-kyun), located in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, is a leading company in the potting soil industry that has been manufacturing only potting soil for 34 years.
Since being selected as a family-friendly certified company in December 2023, we have contributed to systematizing childcare and welfare systems and innovating work-life balance organizational culture.
Nongkyung Co., Ltd.'s worker welfare support began even before certification.
The paternity leave system was introduced in 2018 and has been used by a total of 7 employees to date. Starting in July 2024, a staggered work schedule system was implemented, allowing employees to adjust their start and end times in 30-minute increments based on an 8-hour workday.
In particular, there is no time limit on the application for child-rearing leave. As a result, the return rate from parental leave reaches 67%.
Through the employee association, a congratulatory payment of 200,000 won is provided for the childbirth of employees.
Since June 2022, regular employees have been provided with a monthly fitness allowance of up to 100,000 won.
It can be used for a variety of purposes, from using health facilities to purchasing books and dining out with immediate family.
To ensure housing stability for employees, dormitories are provided through LH Happy Housing rental support, and a new office building was recently constructed to enhance employee welfare.
Nongkyung Co., Ltd. converted more than 90% of its non-regular workforce to regular employees and achieved a 35% ratio of young and female regular employees through policies to favor young and female talent.
We are promoting field-tailored education and talent development through the Work-Study Parallel System, Systematic On-the-Job Training (S-OJT), and a National Occupational Competency Standards (NOS)-based workforce management system.
Through the employee association bylaws, a support system for life-cycle events such as marriage, childbirth, condolence, and 60th birthdays has been established, and welfare benefits for long-term employees, such as severance pay and congratulatory payments upon retirement, are provided to members who have been enrolled for two years or more.
Through these efforts, Nongkyung Co., Ltd. signed a Women-Friendly Partner Company agreement in April 2024 and was recognized as a technology-innovative small and medium-sized enterprise in January 2025.
In 2024, it received the Presidential Commendation, the Minister of Employment and Labor Award, and the Chungbuk Regional Small and Medium Business Administration Director's Commendation, and in 2025, it received the Chungbuk Provincial Superintendent of Education Commendation and the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Commendation, among other recognitions for its excellence in family-friendly management.
Shim Yoon-hee, Executive Director of Nongkyung Co., Ltd., said, "Family-friendly certified management is serving as a good starting point for practicing sustainable management," adding, "We will strive to become a company that works even harder with the belief that the company grows together only when families are happy."
/ Reporter Seong Ji-yeon