Korean companies have a reputation for overworking their employees, but starting today, July 1st, many will see a change in their work-life balance.<br />A new law has taken effect that limits the work week to 52 hours, meaning only 12 hours of overtime.<br /> The previous limit had been 68 hours.<br />And if an employee is made to work more than the new limit, the business owner will be held criminally liable.<br />The shorter week was a campaign pledge of President Moon Jae-in's.<br />There have been concerns about the change among business groups, which had called for a 6-month grace period.<br />But the government says it is trying to smooth the transition.<br />The law affects only companies with 300 or more employees for now, and will expand to the rest in stages starting in 2020. <br />
