Merck Biopharma Korea hosted an internal event on Feb. 26 to commemorate International Women's Day (March 8). The event aimed to promote a gender-equal work environment and encourage work-life balance.

Employees at Merck Biopharma Korea engaged in discussions on implementing and sharing best practices for advancing gender equality in the workplace. The event was structured around the company’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DE&I, or DEIB) framework, emphasizing the importance of a diverse and inclusive corporate culture.

Employees also marked the occasion by sharing symbolic items associated with International Women’s Day, including bread (representing women's right to survival) and roses (symbolizing women's suffrage). This year’s global campaign theme, ‘#Accelerate Action,’ was also highlighted during the gathering.

“At Merck Biopharma Korea, it has become a norm to minimize out-of-hours contact for colleagues who are working reduced hours to accommodate their children’s school schedules.” Merck Biopharma Korea Head of Strategy and Operations Excellence Cho Gi-do said, “In a corporate culture where equal parenting is encouraged, I feel confident that I can successfully balance both childcare and my career in the future.”

Merck Biopharma Korea Regulatory Affairs Manager Jo Hye-lim also said, “Merck Biopharma Korea fosters an environment where all employees, including team members and managers, are encouraged to utilize our workplace policies freely and without discrimination.”

Jo stressed that she was able to resume a key role without any career gap after returning from maternity leave, which boosted her confidence and sense of belonging.”

Merck Biopharma Korea’s commitment to gender equality and family-friendly policies is being widely recognized.

In April last year, it was selected as an exemplary company for work-family balance at a low birth rate response forum hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Council, and in October last year, the company received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award at the 4th Population 2.1 Seminar for its outstanding support for parental leave.

To support employees with children or those planning to start a family, Merck Biopharma Korea has implemented various policies, including shortened working hours for pregnancy and childcare, support for substitute workers during parental leave, and paid leave for prenatal checkups and fertility treatments.

The company also offers flexible work arrangements and allows employees to work remotely twice a week, regardless of gender, age, family structure, or job title.

“Through this event, we gained deeper insights into what employees genuinely need to achieve a better work-life balance, regardless of gender or job level,” Merck Biopharma Korea GM Christoph Hamann said. “Merck Biopharma Korea has been recognized as a leading role model in work-family balance by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.”

Additionally, in November last year, the company served as co-chair of the Family Friendly Future Forum (FFFF) hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK), Hamann added.

Hamann stressed that the company will continue collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure Korea’s long-term sustainability in addressing demographic challenges.”