E-Mart will upgrade work chairs for cashiers at the counter.

The South Korean supermarket chain will roll out the new chairs, which are 77 centimeters in height with a 23 centimeter tall back, next week.

Beginning with the Uijeongbu location on July 16, the new measure will equip all E-mart stores across the country with the upgraded business furniture by August.

The moves comes as the retail giant seeks to ensure a better working environment at its over 140 stores, as the taller chairs will allow cashiers to lean back and rest more effectively, as well as reducing the chance of shopping carts bumping into the back of cashiers.

The overhaul is a first in 10 years when E-mart first introduce chairs at the checkout for cashiers.

Shinsegae, which owns E-Mart, is spearheading the new work-life balance trend in the South Korean economy.

Earlier this year, the group became the first major retailer in the country to introduce a 35-hour workweek in a drastic move to improve productivity and do away with working overtime.

Shinsegae Department Store and E-Mart currently implement a so-called “PC shutdown” policy, under which computers in the workplace turn off at 5 p.m. to make sure workers leave work on time.

E-mart also runs an employee welfare program “E-Care 2.0”, which protects workers from being subject to abusive customers, and provides legal help for those who have experienced sexual harassment and verbal abuse in the workplace.

By Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@heraldcorp.com)