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Around 40 percent of men in Japan feel awkward when they return to work after taking paternity leave, with many concerned about the increased burden on colleagues, a recent private-sector survey shows.
Respondents urged companies to cover staffing shortages and provide benefits for co-workers so employees can take paternity leave without hesitation, according to the survey by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co of 550 married men with children up to 6 years old.
Of the respondents, 33.4 percent took paternity leave for an average of 42 days. 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."
Asked about measures that would help men return to work without feeling awkward, 24.7 percent said companies should hire people to cover for their absence, while support allowances for colleagues and making paternity leave mandatory were both cited by 23.4 percent.
By size of company, 51.6 percent of men working in entities with 1,001 or more employees took paternity leave, compared with 26.2 percent in those with 1,000 or fewer.
"The effect of one person taking leave in a small or medium-sized firm is far greater than in a large company," said Yuichi Kodama, chief economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute.
"Public and private companies need to work together to reform workplace culture and work style," he added.
The survey was conducted online on Sept 4 and 5.
In fiscal 2023, a record 30.1 percent of employees took paternity leave, up 13.0 percentage points from the previous year, according to a government survey, as companies have been obliged since April 2022 to inform workers of the system and confirm whether they intend to use it.
© KYODO
9 Comments
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garypen
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."
sakurasuki
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?
Moonraker
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.
Yubaru
For accuracy it should read that 40% of the men who participated in the survey felt awkward.
Ricky Kaminski13
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!
Newgirlintown
Yeah, I don’t think it’s as simple as ‘just do it lads’.
MarkX
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.
WoodyLee
""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.
YeahRight
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.