40% of men in Japan feel awkward at work after taking paternity leave: survey

The headline implies that at least 40% of men in Japan have taken paternity leave, which would be incorrect.

For the sake of accuracy, it should read, "40% of men who have taken paternity leave in Japan feel awkward after returning to work."

Basically most salaryman won't comfortable being different with their peers. Taking paternity leave will make them different compared with their peers. That if they lucky enough didn't get demotion after they went back from paternity leave.

https://www.reuters.com/article/world/japan-parental-leave-case-puts-spotlight-on-workers-rights-idUSKCN1VV0QD/

However Japan Govt and Japan Inc still complaining about population decline every year, what have they done so far?

This survey basically confirms nothing much. Japanese people often imagine that others think badly of them - it is part of life and the reason for diffidence and being mostly unthreatening. If you give them any reason for feeling guilty, it will be magnified in their mind, no matter what others think in reality. Even having a few days off for sickness can induce guilt. I am surprised it is only 40% actually. That is almost a positive.

For the sake of accuracy, it should read, "40% of men who have taken paternity leave in Japan feel awkward after returning to work."

For accuracy it should read that 40% of the men who participated in the survey felt awkward.

according to the survey by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co of 550 married men with children up to 6 years old.

Forget feeling bleeding awkward lads. Just do it. Once it’s the norm you’ll have done the whole country a massive favor. Breaking the slave mentality for one. Be bold Daddio!

Yeah, I don’t think it’s as simple as ‘just do it lads’.

This headline is so sad. It just goes to show how petty and mean Japanese can be to each other. Instead of feeling happiness or respect for someone who has had a baby and wants time off to help his wife, he is faced with disdain and anger for not being there for the company/co-workers. Hire a damn temp to help out if there is such a work load, and let people live their lives without the constant fear of what their colleagues think and feel.

""Of the 41.5 percent who felt uncomfortable upon their return, 23.9 percent said they felt "a little awkward," while 16.0 percent said they felt "awkward" and the remaining 1.6 percent felt "very awkward.""

Of course they feel awkward, bcz. of the pressure they endure after returning to work, they probably end up working lots of overtime without pay so they can pay back the Masters.

This is why they should just look for a better job or jus start their own business.

I guess I just got lucky with my place of employment (a private high school in northern rural Tohoku). People take time off all the time as they see fit and no one bats an eye. Most of the time we don't even know the reason for someone taking time off. No one asks. Just work around it, change a few class times, and move on.

This survey was about the perceived awkwardness the new father's felt.

I'd be curious to see the results of an (honestly answered) survey that their workmates answered. I think that would be beneficial.

Perceived vs actual

I know this is not strictly the same, but relates to taking time off work, so hear me out, mods.

Just last Friday, I had to listen to a complaint from a JTE at one of my primary schools. This JTE’s complaint was about a HRT taking time off (Mon-Thu) because of a cold/flu etc. and having to cover for them. (She normally has 6 classes of English a week, that’s it). I wanted to say, “Woe is me,” but instead I reminded her that “Perhaps since Covid, HRTs shouldn’t take risks with their students health?” “He should be here,” was the stern reply, ending that conversation.

So, I can well imagine many more than 40% of men feeling uncomfortable after they return to work. Their colleagues moaning and talking behind their backs.

Dinosaur society here believes raising a child is womans work.

Oh wow I didn’t even know men take paternity leaves here, I’ve seen women take a 2 year paid maternity leave and thought that was very generous..!

It's part of a bigger issue of Japanese culture. Despite importing the Western idea of rights, the idea that they may only be used to the extent they do not bother others is too heavily emphasized, while the idea that people have a duty to suffer other people exercising their legitimate rights is not well ingrained. When the latter is properly ingrained, it won't even feel like suffering. But it isn't so instead of people thinking "I want my paternity leave too at my time, so I'd happily accept yours" it becomes "We both don't take paternity leave and suffer."

It goes beyond leave and overtime at the office. A similar mentality affects everything from Halloween parties to even playing piano in the privacy of your home. I strongly advocate change.

Just being mischievous, did the survey investigate if they felt awkward at sharing the responsibility for changing the diapers after the mama had done the feeding bit. I did, even though no paternity leave

Akwark for what? This Galapagost medieval mentality has to change. It's all in the hands of younger generation. If a person wants to take holiday or paternity/maternity leave is 110% no problem, since he deserves that. That's why there are Labor laws.

If the company cannot provide replacement is 200% company's fault, not of the employee. So the employer should NEVER be made responsible or blamed for increase of work or burden the other coworkers.

dunnot u'stand galapost?, medieval nah, I did it 24yrs ago as a manager responsible for regional businesses, no paternity leave, one of the moments of comedy and much shared laughter in my life, and be aware I declared mischief!

addition; it was a first born

Oh wow I didn’t even know men take paternity leaves here, I’ve seen women take a 2 year paid maternity leave and thought that was very generous..!

It’s hugely generous! And many times I’ve seen women “come back” to the workforce only to quit a couple months later. Financially, it’s a huge drain on the company. It’s not fair and it is one source of resentment felt by their coworkers - a just feeling.

This headline is so sad. It just goes to show how petty and mean Japanese can be to each other. Instead of feeling happiness or respect for someone who has had a baby and wants time off to help his wife, he is faced with disdain and anger for not being there for the company/co-workers. Hire a damn temp to help out if there is such a work load, and let people live their lives without the constant fear of what their colleagues think and feel.

Reason #432234 I went part → fully self-employed, I know many japanese who don't like to take part in the "soshiki" either but they have no choice. "Maternity harassment" and other surreal stuff.

You couldn't pay me enough to go anywhere near a 100% japanese work environment ever again.

Maybe for a couple of days or even a full week of the month as I usually do as a service provider.

But being part of the company and get treated like a soulless bolt? Get out of here!