Many people want to raise children together as a couple, but the rate of men taking parental leave is not increasing.
However, it is also true that the environment is gradually being created where it is easier for men to take parental leave, with examples of executives at listed companies taking the initiative in taking parental leave and the government promoting diversity in working styles.
This time, we will discuss men taking parental leave.Benefits, latest cases, and legal reformsWe hope you will use it to update your information regarding parental leave.

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Various initiatives to promote paternity leave for men

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has announced the following regarding its efforts to promote paternity leave for men:Ikumen Corporate Award" was established to award the prize (the event will be suspended in 2021 due to legal changes).
Let's take a look at some of the latest examples of promoting parental leave from the 2020 Ikumen Corporate Awards.

Ikumen Project

Establishing a unique paid leave and childcare leave system to promote childcare leave for men

There are cases where companies that promote childcare leave for men have established internal regulations that go beyond the statutory leave system.
Even if parental leave is available, it can be hesitant to take full advantage of it.
It may be that parental leave will only become widespread once some generous provisions are in place.
For example, Sekisui House Ltd. provides a childcare leave system of at least one month for all eligible male employees, and has set the available period at three years, significantly longer than the legal requirement.
In addition, the company clearly states that a leave of absence of one month or less will not affect the calculation of promotions, bonuses, or retirement benefits, demonstrating its thoroughness.

Information from management and a company environment that makes it easy to take parental leave

Although many employees are understanding about taking parental leave,My boss doesn't understandThis is a common situation.
This may be because your boss is also uneasy about making you take parental leave somewhere.
To encourage men to take parental leave, clear messages and information from management are essential.
At Sojitz Corporation, all department managers declare their support for the "Sojitz Ikuboss Declaration" at department manager meetings, removing the psychological barriers to men taking parental leave.
We are also using a variety of methods to foster a corporate environment that makes it easy to take parental leave, including training for section managers, using the company intranet, and distributing letters and a handbook on balancing work and childcare to male employees who have had children.

Creating unique tools and holding study sessions on parental leave

Some companies are using their own apps and system tools to increase employee interest in parental leave.
Full-scale apps and systems may be difficult for only large companies to implement, but measures such as distributing Excel calculation tools are something that even small and medium-sized companies can emulate.
Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. provides a system that allows the whole family, including parents and grandparents, to be involved in child-rearing through its "Cope" app, which makes parenting fun.
In addition, we provide many opportunities for men to become involved in childcare, such as requiring them to take one month of paid leave by the time the baby is six months old and holding online classes on topics such as formula preparation and child-rearing.
In addition, Giken Seisakusho Co., Ltd. has created and distributed to employees a simple simulation tool for childcare leave benefits to reduce anxiety about income. This tool has been well received because it allows employees to easily input information and see how their income will change during childcare leave.

summary

In 2021, the Childcare and Family Care Leave Act was revised and will be gradually implemented from April 2022.
The environment will likely become more favorable for men to take parental leave in the future, as it will become easier to take parental leave in installments and the period and deadlines for taking parental leave, especially immediately after giving birth, will become more relaxed.
Paternity leave for menImprove work-life balance and QOLIt is also an important element in this respect.
Promoting parental leave for male employees is expected to have positive effects not only for employees and their families, but also for the company.
In companies that have actually implemented it, there are cases where employees' work has become more visible, leading to improvements in work processes, as well as improved management skills for managers and team leaders.
Why not take this opportunity to find out what your company's parental leave policy is like?