A Comparative Study of Family-Friendly Policies and Benefits in Public Organizations: South Korea and the United States

Abstract

This paper analyzes the family-friendly policies and benefits currentlyoffered by public organizations in South Korea and the United States. This studyfound that leaves of absence are the first types of family-friendly policy thatreflect an acknowledgment on the part of government agencies in South Koreaand the United States that both men and women must face work/family conflictsin their lives. The South Korean government provides more generous leave poli-cies than those of the American public sector. However, several family-friendlybenefits provided by federal agencies in the United States, including flexibleworkplace and telecommuting programs, job sharing, and dependent care coun-seling and referral services were rarely offered by the South Korean govern-ment. Finally, the paper discusses policy implications and emphasizes manageri-al leadership affecting the implementation process behind these policies in pub-lic agencies.