(1) If an employee applies for reduced working hours to raise their child aged 12 years or younger or in the sixth grade or lower of elementary school (hereinafter referred to as "reduced working hours during a period of childcare"), the employer shall allow the employee to work under such reduced working hours; provided, this shall not apply in cases prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as where it is impossible to hire substitute personnel or where the normal operation of the business would be significantly impeded. <Amended on Feb. 1, 2012; Aug. 27, 2019; Oct. 22, 2024>
(2) If an employer does not allow an employee to work under reduced working hours during a period of childcare under the proviso of paragraph (1), the employer shall notify the employee in writing of the reason therefor, and shall consult with the employee on whether the employer can support them through other measures, such as allowing them to use childcare leave or adjusting their starting and ending times of work. <Amended on Feb. 1, 2012; Aug. 27, 2019>
(3) If an employer allows an employee to work under reduced working hours during a period of childcare under paragraph (1), the reduced working hours shall be at least 15 hours per week and shall not exceed 35 hours per week. <Amended on Aug. 27, 2019>
(4) The period of reduced working hours during a period of childcare shall not exceed 1 year; provided, if the employee has any unused portion of childcare leave under the main clause of Article 19 (2), the period may be extended by up to twice the unused portion. <Amended on Aug. 27, 2019; Oct. 22, 2024>
(5) No employer shall dismiss an employee or given them any other unfavorable treatment on the grounds of reduced working hours during a period of childcare.
(6) After an employee completes a period of reduced working hours during a period of childcare, the employer shall reinstate them to their previous duties or to other duties paying the same level of wages.
(7) Matters necessary for the methods and procedures for applying for reduced working hours during a period of childcare and other matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.[This Article Added on Dec. 21, 2007]