On the 8th of "International Women's Day" set by the United Nations, a seminar on gender equality was held in Tokyo, and examples of companies promoting the creation of comfortable workplaces for both men and women were announced.

According to the evaluation of women's workability released by the British economic magazine "Economist" on the 7th, Japan is ranked 28th out of 29 countries and the second lowest from the bottom.



Under these circumstances, a general incorporated association that promotes efforts for the active participation of women held a seminar in Tokyo in conjunction with "International Women's Day", and about 1,600 people participated at the venue and online.



At the seminar, persons in charge of four companies promoting gender equality and creating a comfortable working environment for both men and women took the stage and announced efforts to improve the ratio of female managers and the rate of male employees taking childcare leave.



The person in charge of the company who made the announcement complained, "In order for women to play an active role, it is necessary to change the working styles of all employees, including men."

Established an online specialized department that makes it easy to balance life events and work

At Kose, a major cosmetics manufacturer, one of the companies that announced in-house efforts to create a comfortable working environment for female employees, a new department with a work style that makes it easy to balance work with life events such as childbirth and childcare has been newly created. It was launched.



In this company, about half of the employees are in charge of customer service and sales at the store, and most of them are women.



With the spread of corona infection, in September of last year, we set up a new specialized department to explain cosmetics online and receive consultations on makeup methods, in addition to the existing over-the-counter sales. ..



Until now, the end time of work was not fixed, such as sudden overtime due to the congestion of the store, but in the new department, customer consultation will be completely reserved so that the working hours will be clear. did.



A sales staff member in his 40s, who has two daughters of elementary school students, said, "Working at the store sometimes caused me to leave work at different times because I couldn't see the time. I am grateful for raising children because I can work. "



In addition, the person in charge of promoting gender equality said, "Since many sales staff retire due to marriage or childbirth, we will create an environment where staff with limited time can continue working and create a company that can play an active role regardless of gender. I want to aim. "

A letter signed by the president to promote childcare leave

On the other hand, at the major general contractor "Shimizu Corporation", where more than 80% of all employees are male, the president sends a letter to male employees who have children to encourage them to take childcare leave in order to promote their participation in childcare. It is said that the rate of male employees taking childcare leave has increased significantly as a result of these efforts.



In this company, where more than 80% of all employees are men, few men take childcare leave before starting the initiative, and the person in charge said, "The construction industry is mainly male, and there is a strong awareness of gender roles. There were many views that "it is natural for women to take childcare leave."



In order to create a culture where it is natural for both men and women to participate in childcare and housework, the president started an initiative to send a letter to male employees who had children with a handwritten signature to encourage them to take childcare leave. I did.



He also sent a letter to his boss to help his subordinates understand how to take leave, creating a work environment that makes it easy to take leave.



In addition, the childcare leave system, which was previously unpaid, has been reformed to be paid for up to four weeks from October last year, and the boss meets with subordinates who wish to take leave and returns. We have enhanced the support system, such as relieving anxiety later.



As a result, the rate of male employees taking childcare leave was 6.3% in 2019, but it was 18.5% for those who started the initiative by letter, and 41.7% as of February after the institutional reform. It means that the number has increased rapidly.



The person in charge said, "Since each person has their own way of thinking about the period and timing of taking leave and their family, it is important not only to introduce the system but also to grasp the needs of employees in detail."