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Employers shall not employ pregnant women or women for whom one year has not elapsed since childbirth in any work that may be detrimental to their morale or health or any dangerous work. (Article 65(1), 「Labor Standards Act」)

An employer who violates the foregoing shall be liable to imprisonment with labor for not more than three years or to a fine not exceeding 30 million won. (Article 109(1), 「Labor Standards Act」)

Where a female employee who has been pregnant for not more than 12 weeks or for not less than 36 weeks requests the reduction of her work hours by two hours per day, the employer shall permit such reduction. (Article 74(7), 「Labor Standards Act」 and main text of Page 91 of the 『2023 Maternity Protection And Work-Family Reconciliation Support Work Manual』, Ministry of Employment and Labor)

Provided, however, that he or she may permit the employee concerned to reduce her work hours to six hours if her work hours are shorter than eight hours per day. (Proviso to Article 74(7), 「Labor Standards Act」)

No employer shall reduce an employee's wages due to a reduction of her work hours. (Article 74(8), 「Labor Standards Act」)

An employer who does not allow a female worker to apply for a reduction in working hours shall be subject to a fine of not more than 5 million won. (Subparagraph 2, Article 116(1), 「Labor Standards Act」)

Employers must allow pregnant female workers who request a change in the start and end times of their work while maintaining their daily work hours (The main text of Article 74(9) of the Labor Standards Act).

However, it is not obligatory to permit such changes if they would cause significant disruptions to normal business operations (The proviso of Article 74(9) of the Labor Standards Act and Article 43-3(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Labor Standards Act).

Cases causing significant disruptions to normal business operations

Cases where changing the start and end times of work would violate relevant laws regarding the safety and health of pregnant female workers.

Employers who do not permit pregnant female workers to change their work hours, despite the request, will be fined up to KRW 5 million (Article 116(2)2 of the Labor Standards Act).

All businesses or workplaces in which not less than five employees are employed shall grant permission to a pregnant employee who claims the time off necessary for a periodical medical examination. (Article 74-2(1) and Article 11(1), 「Labor Standards Act」)

The employer shall not reduce the wages of such employee due to time taken off for a medical examination. (Subparagraph 2, Article 74-2(2), 「Labor Standards Act」)