At first sight, the presence of blood pressure machines in the break-out area of its modern office is the only clue that EverYoung, based in downtown Seoul, is not your average tech start up company.
At first sight, the presence of blood pressure machines in the break-out area of its modern office is the only clue that EverYoung, based in downtown Seoul, is not your average tech start up company.
B ut look more closely at the employees tapping furiously at their computers and EverYoung’s unique business model becomes more apparent — the internet content-monitoring company has a strictly ageist policy of only employing staff over the age of 55.
The company, founded by 56-year-old executive Chung Eunsung, aims to address South Korea’s demographic timebomb and challenge a corporate culture steeped in age discrimination in favour of the young.
“If seniors are working even after retirement, and being globally competitive, then it will be a good solution to our future social problems, ” he told The Telegraph.
His staff work four-hour shifts to monitor platforms like Naver, South Korea’s Google equivalent, to censor sensitive information like a child’s identity on publicly available sites. Several also conduct coding classes for school children.
The oldest worker is 83, and managers praise their silver workforce for their dedication and being less addicted to their phones.
M r Chung does not draw a salary, but pours profits into wages and fringe benefits, including two free annual eye-tests, fitness centre membership, and a cash bonus for every new grandchild.
