New Employee Training Programs Emphasize Emotional Wellness, Stimulation

“The first thing we should do is to stimulate employees’ emotion.”

Employee training programs that pursue group solidarity through hard work such as tough marching at night and strict lectures are shifting to programs that stimulate employee emotions. Now, employees in training with major companies are enjoying more enjoyable training exercises such as rafting and visiting movie locations together.

This change was made in consideration of the employee tendencies of the younger generation. Former training programs were found to not promote group solidarity and sometimes stimulated younger employees to quit their jobs.

This shift reflects an attempt by companies to boost employee performances that are getting sluggish due to the nation’s prolonged economic downturn.

The Hyundai Department Store Group held summer training program to 220 new incoming employees at Gyeongpodae Beach (Gangwon) and Daegwalryeong Ranch from August 8 to 12. Its program, in which other affiliated companies’ new employees such as those from home shopping, department store, and food system departments also participated, consisted of visiting the Daegwalryeong Ranch where “Gaeuldonghwa” (Fairy Tale of Autumn), and “Yeonaesoseol” (Love Story) were filmed, rafting, beach song contests and other group activities.

Kim Kyeong-ho, the human resources development department chief of Hyundai Department Store said, “Even one year ago, we had to climb despite strong sunshine and shouted at the top of our lungs, “I can do it.” However, we modified the program to one in which employees can start with more enjoyment and delight.”

Multinational pharmaceutical giant Lilly Korea president Rob Smith treated about 30 employees who belonged to sales and marketing departments to Korean chicken-ginseng soup at a restaurant in Jongno, Seoul. This seems to be intended to captivate the hearts of employees who are working hard despite the recent hot weather by commending their good performance.

Some employers have even sent Korean chicken-ginseng soup and watermelon to their employees’ houses. For example, Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun has sent chickens as the ingredient of Korean chicken-ginseng soup to her executives’ houses and POSCO has sent watermelon to its employees. FGF, a clothing company, sent packaged instant chicken-ginseng soup to its employees to help them keep healthy in this last phase of the hot summer.

Im-Sook Ha artemes@donga.com