What’s most important to today’s jobseeker? Stock options? A snack bar? Or is it something beyond these increasingly common workplace benefits? As more and more young people join the workforce, the definition of an ideal workplace is changing.
By 2025 millennials alone will represent 75% of the global workforce and, once they finish school, Gen Z is hot on their heels. Both cohorts are making it clear to potential employers that the intangible elements of employment are an essential part of their decision-making process. They seek out corporations with business practices rooted in sustainability and office cultures that are tech-forward and collaborative.
In line with its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SK hynix made creating a sustainable and supportive work environment crucial to its ethos. SK hynix believes that its people are at the core of its success—when its people thrive, so does its business.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Hi-Gineers
Both Gen Z and millennials are pursuing more education than their older counterparts. In fact, in 2018, 57% of American 18- to 21-year-olds who completed high school were enrolled in post-secondary education. Coupling academic pursuits with an internship can enrich students’ learning experience and allow them to apply their theoretical knowledge in a work environment built for learning. Furthermore, various studies demonstrate a close positive relationship between internships and overall job satisfaction.
Under the patient and attentive gaze of seasoned professionals, students can get familiar with different roles and responsibilities—ensuring they are comfortable and confident entering the workforce in their chosen field. SK hynix is proud to provide students in semiconductor-related majors with an opportunity for hands-on experience through its internship program. Designed to educate, engage, and encourage the thinkers of tomorrow, the program establishes a strong base for students to expand their horizons.
SK hynix Memory Solutions America software engineer and former intern, SeungJin Kim notes, “The best benefit of working for SK hynix for me is that I am encouraged by my manager and team to develop my own career interests and explore specific areas of work that I find interesting or aligns with my career goals.”
To further the growth of junior team members, SK hynix also created the Junior Board to provide an avenue for members early in their careers to voice thoughts and opinions directly with senior staff members and executive team members. In addition, the company puts a strong focus on continued education, and, in 2020, members participated in an average of 74 hours of education each.
Members of the Competency Planning pictured at SK hynix University
Established in 2017, SK hynix University (SKHU) offers specialized technical and business training to encourage members of all levels to continue strengthening their skills and the company’s competitiveness of the company. The structured system consists of twelve colleges and various departments and majors. Devoted to different business sectors and technologies, areas of study range from social value and leadership to AI and digital transformation.
Recently, the educational program has expanded its presence online with its mySUNI learning platform. The comprehensive site enables SK hynix members to set personalized careers goals and self-select the courses they enroll in.
The Pursuit of (Member) Happiness
Attracting and maintaining talent in the highly competitive semiconductor industry relies on a deep understanding of personnel and a constant desire to improve the workplace. More than 99.6% of SK hynix’s members work full-time, which, in addition to its extremely low 2.1% turnover rate, illustrates a stabilized workplace and a focus on member wellbeing.
Paul Palonsky, VP of Sales at SK hynix America Inc, shared, “The reason I have stayed at SK hynix all these years is that I am always—still to this day—able to find new challenges. On top of it all, I have the pleasure of working with such a great group of people who are equally dedicated to creating successful outcomes for the company and our customers.”
In the hopes of further optimizing happiness of SK hynix people, SK hynix completed extensive research as part of its “Happiness Culture Secretariat” with the help of the Seoul National University Center for Happiness Studies. Members documented their daily happiness levels, allowing SK hynix to understand member wellbeing from a unique, more personal perspective.
After reviewing the findings, SK hynix implemented a series of initiatives including the Happiness Design Group, Junior Board, and Leaders Board. These important programs aim to deliver on four of the UN’s SDGs, including decent work and economic growth, quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.
The Happiness Design Group allows working parents and young women to design their workplace happiness collectively, positively influencing the work environment. The group finds opportunities to create dialogue amongst SK hynix people surrounding happiness and encourages experimentation to increase workplace satisfaction.
As a part of the program, SK hynix has been conducting trials to encourage a more positive work-life balance. In addition to establishing more opportunities for remote work and teleconferencing, the company is exploring increased support for returning parents, including 1-on-1 counseling and mentorship. At an organizational level, SK hynix has implemented a campaign which encourages members to depart the office early once each month to spend more time with their children.
With a rising interest in flexible and remote work, SK hynix introduced its Base Office in Bundang in March 2021. The flexible office, located approximately 25km southeast of Seoul, aims to reduce the challenges surrounding long commutes, household duties, urgent business, and much more. The Base Office seats 150 people and is located in an SK hynix building close to Jeongja Station, a public transportation hub.
Finally, Online communication tool (such as CUBE Messenger & HyTUBE) encourages innovation at any level. The online communication tool enables unbridled thinking and allows members to share ideas, hold discussions, and make honest proposals anonymously.
In today’s world, being gainfully employed means more than just receiving a paycheck. It’s about being provided opportunities to learn, having ideas not be bound by title and rank, and receiving the flexibility to work in the best way for you – the intangible “gains.” SK hynix understands the importance of member wellbeing and vows to continue to work in the best interest of its members of today and tomorrow.
