At the awards ceremony on 8 December 2023, representatives from twenty-four South Korean companies, twelve of whom won Excellent Workplaces Without Discrimination awards, were in attendance. Attendees shared their learnings and achievements while the organisers announced new guidelines to prevent discrimination and further contribute to employee self-improvement.

During the event, the IMI site in Korea’s Managing Director, Yun Jeong-sik, commented on the many positive changes that efforts to remove discrimination from the workplace had brought to the company. He noted, ‘ We have established a fair compensation system at IMI through our efforts to eliminate discrimination. This system has led to a more positive workplace culture and good labour management relations and has helped us improve productivity.’

Our Korea site was the only award winner in the machine manufacturing sector in both 2022 and 2023, and the organisation has made significant strides in enhancing its workplace culture and increasing productivity. IMI’s business purpose is ‘Breakthrough Engineering for a Better World’, and IMI’s Korea facility is viewed internally as one of IMI’s best-managed business sites worldwide.

People-centred leadership: IMI’s Yun Jeong-sik

With twenty years of experience in production technology, quality and business management, IMI in Korea appointed Yun Jeong-sik as its Managing Director in early 2023 after fifteen years with the company. In accepting the award from Minister Lee Jeong-sik, Yun acknowledged that he put people at the centre of management and that receiving it was an important acknowledgement of IMI’s values. He added that:

“We are honoured to be selected as an excellent workplace and look forward to our company’s good organisational culture being widely known and shared as best practice for other companies so that all workers can enjoy working in a workplace without discrimination.”

Yun Jeong-sik’s leadership has proven instrumental in driving the company’s efforts to eliminate discrimination and promote a positive work environment. Under his guidance, IMI has prioritised open communication between management and employees. Yun’s people-centred approach to leadership emphasises the importance of treating every individual with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or position within the company.

A culture of equal opportunity

Central to IMI’s success in Korea is its commitment to providing equal opportunities and benefits to all employees. With a workforce of 100% full-time employees, the company ensures that all workers are entitled to up to 12 months of parental leave and receive a comprehensive range of benefits, including health insurance, educational support, and family leave. By prioritising the well-being of its employees, IMI in Korea has built a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.

The company’s efforts to create a healthy organisational culture extend beyond its benefits package. IMI in Korea has implemented a hybrid working scheme, including two-day-a-week remote working, to improve work-life balance and enhance employee satisfaction. Additionally, the company has prioritised converting fixed-term workers into full-time ones to increase job security and satisfaction.

Diversity and inclusion are core values at IMI, with the company actively striving to increase the representation of women in its workforce. By promoting gender equality and providing equal opportunities for advancement, IMI Korea is setting a positive example for other companies to follow. Communication lies at the heart of efforts to improve employee well-being and business performance. The company holds monthly all-employee town halls and skip-level meetings to facilitate open dialogue between employees and management. It also conducts annual employee satisfaction surveys to identify improvement areas and to ensure employee feedback is valued and acted upon.

Future commitments

In 2024, IMI in Korea will remain committed to its core values and mission. The company plans to expand its investment in design and production capabilities, strengthening its position as a leading engineering firm. By offering innovative solutions such as 3D printing and upgrade solutions like IMI Insyt, Retrofit3D, and EroSolve, IMI in Korea aims to enhance plant safety, maximise operational performance, and minimise waste for its customers.

IMI’s journey toward creating a workplace without discrimination is a good example of what companies can achieve by prioritising diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. The company has improved its business performance and fostered a culture of respect, fairness, and opportunity for all through strong leadership, transparent communication, and a steadfast commitment to equality.

For further details of the award, please visit: Ministry of Employment and Labor