Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, CJ Group offers employees a broad range of benefits meant to enrich both their professional and personal lives
Earlier this year, CJ was ranked as Korea’s second most desirable employer by university students, according to a survey from a major HR platform. As word spread about CJ’s lifestyle-focused employee benefits — spanning food, culture and entertainment — many cited the company’s strong welfare and work-life balance as key reasons for their choice.
Sometimes, taking care of household chores can feel overwhelming when also managing work and other responsibilities. To help ease that burden, CJ Group recently strengthened its everyday support programs — covering laundry, cleaning, childcare and more — so employees can focus on work when it’s time to work and truly rest when it’s time to rest.
Recognizing the importance of employee job satisfaction, CJ Group has upgraded its benefits program to help every team member stay engaged and grow, both professionally and personally.
Lifestyle Benefits for Everyday Living
CJ Group recently expanded its employee benefits by partnering with external subscription service providers — including laundry mobile apps, home-cleaning platforms and childcare education services. The goal is to ease the everyday burdens employees often face, from laundry and cleaning to urgent childcare.
Employees can also enjoy discounts and reward points when using these partnered services. Any remaining costs after discounts can be covered with their annual welfare points — with each employee receiving up to 1,000 points per year (equivalent to 1 million KRW or 700 USD).
The Significance of Work-Life Balance
CJ Group’s employee benefits encompass everyday well-being, personal growth and leisure. As a special perk, the company offers a range of programs that help employees refresh and recharge when they log off.
One standout initiative is CJ’s CREATIVE WEEK, which grants up to four weeks of self-development leave based on years of service. Another popular program is Travel Support, which subsidizes stays at domestic and overseas condos, resorts and hotels.
Additionally, employees can enjoy discounted room rates and dining benefits at CJ Group-operated resorts, such as NINE BRIDGES, Starville and Haesley Hamlet, making rest and recreation much more leisurely and accessible.
CJ Group also offers the K-Culture Voyage program, designed to broaden employees’ global perspectives. Through this initiative, the company provides airfare and event tickets for employees to participate in major CJ-led K-culture events around the world, such as the immensely popular KCON music festival.
Up to 40% Discounts Across Lifestyle Brands
CJ Group’s businesses cover the full spectrum of lifestyle industries, including food, culture and entertainment, and employees can enjoy up to 40% discounts across CJ’s wide range of lifestyle brands.
This includes well-known names such as Olive Young, CJ THE MARKET, VIPS, TOUS les JOURS, THE PLACE, n.GRILL, Mongjungheon, THE STEAKHOUSE and CHEIL JEMYUNSO. These exclusive discounts allow employees to experience the diversity of CJ’s lifestyle offerings in their everyday lives.
Streaming and movie benefits are also a major part of CJ’s employee programs. Every employee receives a TVING premium plan, providing access to a large library of entertainment content. At CGV, employees can enjoy 40% discounts at not only regular theaters but also at special-format theaters, such as IMAX, 4DX, SCREENX, PRIVATE BOX, SUITE CINEMA and CINE de CHEF.
Supporting Every Stage of Life: Education, Family and the Home
CJ Group takes care of many aspects of its employees’ lives, from personal health to family care and housing stability. The company provides comprehensive health checkups not only for employees but also for their spouses, parents and children. In addition, any out-of-pocket medical expenses over 100,000 KRW (approximately 70 USD) that fall under the employee’s share are fully covered by the company.
For employees requiring housing assistance, CJ offers financial loans of up to 50 million KRW (approximately 35,000 USD), either through the company’s internal welfare fund or in partnership with financial institutions. The specific amount may vary by affiliate.
Furthermore, CJ Group offers a wide range of programs to help employees balance work and family life.
Female employees undergoing fertility treatments can take leave for up to six months, as needed. Spouses are granted 20 days of paid paternity leave, and employees with children aged eight or younger, or in the second grade or below, can take up to two and a half years of parental leave through the Parental Leave Plus program.
In addition, employees can take up to four weeks of leave to care for children entering a new school year, as well as use reduced working hours for newborn care.
At major offices in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, CJ operates CJ Kidsville, an on-site children’s daycare center. The company also provides tuition funding for employees’ children, supporting educational expenses from kindergarten through university.
CJ’s ‘People-First’ Philosophy
Guided by Chairman Lee Jay-Hyun’s “people-first” management philosophy, CJ Group is dedicated to attracting and nurturing top talent. Twenty-five years ago, the company became the first in South Korea to adopt a horizontal workplace culture by introducing the “nim” title system, a groundbreaking approach that replaced hierarchical job titles with the respectful suffix “nim,” used after a person’s name. This change was designed to foster equality, open communication and mutual respect across all levels of the organization.
Emphasizing that “the key to making anything possible lies in people,” Chairman Lee has pledged to create “a workplace where passionate individuals can grow through diverse opportunities and fair competition.” This philosophy continues to shape CJ’s employee benefits and organizational culture today.
