(1) If an employee applies for reduced working hours for any of the following reasons, 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:
1. Where an employee needs to care for their family due to the family member’s disease, accident, or senility;
2. Where an employee needs to care for their own health due to their disease, injury caused by an accident, etc.;
3. Where an employee aged 55 years or older prepares for their retirement;
4. Where an employee pursues their studies.
(2) If an employer does not allow an employee to work under reduced working hours under the proviso of paragraph (1), the employer shall notify the employee in writing of the reason therefor and shall consult with the employee as to whether the employee may take leave or be supported through other measures.
(3) If an employer allows an employee to work under reduced working hours under paragraph (1), the working hours after the reduction shall be at least 15 hours per week and shall not exceed 30 hours per week.
(4) The period during which working hours are reduced shall not exceed 1 year; provided, where an employee who falls under any of subparagraphs 1 through 3 of paragraph (1) has reasonable grounds, the period during which their working hours are reduced may be extended by up to an additional 2 years.
(5) No employer shall dismiss an employee, or give them any other unfavorable treatment on grounds of reduced working hours.
(6) After an employee completes a period of reduced working hours, the employer shall reinstate the employee to the 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 and other matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.[This Article Added on Aug. 27, 2019][Previous Article 22-3 moved to Article 22-5 <Aug. 27, 2019>]