A new system to make it easier for men to take time off after their children are born will start in October.

On the 15th, a briefing session for companies was held in Tokyo.



How is "postpartum papa childcare leave"


different from conventional childcare leave?


Will the new system make it easier to take childcare leave?


I summarized it in detail.

Briefing sessions for companies in various places before the start of October

Before the "postpartum papa childcare leave" will start in October, a briefing session for companies was held at the Tokyo Labor Bureau on the 15th, and about 20 people including personnel managers participated.



A person in charge of human resources in his 30s who participated said, "There is still a low level of awareness among managers about having male employees take childcare leave. We want to raise awareness of the new system within the company and improve the rate of taking childcare leave." was

What kind of system is "postpartum papa childcare leave"?

To put it simply, it is a system that provides options so that men can flexibly take childcare leave after the birth of a child, such as dividing it into small portions.



This is a different system from the previous childcare leave, and you can take up to 4 weeks within 8 weeks after the child is born, and you can divide it into 2 times.

Also known as maternity leave for men.

How is it different from today's maternity leave?

In order to understand the purpose of this system, it is necessary to take into consideration the current childcare leave system.



In the first place, men can also take childcare leave for one year, but in principle, it cannot be divided.



For this reason, it has been pointed out that people who are working and find it difficult to rest for a long time have difficulty deciding when and how long to rest.



According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the period of childcare leave taken by men has been extended recently, but it is still not enough, with 51% of men taking less than two weeks last year.



Under these circumstances, at present, it is possible to take childcare leave again only if the childcare leave is completed within eight weeks after the child is born.



For example, the system has been designed so that it can be divided into two periods, such as the difficult period immediately after childbirth and the period when the wife returns to work.



However, when you want to take a break depends on your family circumstances and the work situation you have at the time.



This is why the system was introduced so that employees can take childcare leave more flexibly.

What are the details of the new system "Postpartum Papa Childcare Leave"?

This is a detailed system of "postpartum papa childcare leave".



・Up to 4 weeks can be taken within 8 weeks after the child is born.


・You can also divide it into two times.


・Application must be made at least 2 weeks prior to vacation.


・It is possible to work during the leave within the scope agreed in the labor-management agreement.

However, employers should not unilaterally demand that workers work.



In addition, along with the introduction of postpartum papa childcare leave, the system will be changed so that childcare leave itself can be taken flexibly, and it will be possible to take it in two installments.



This allows up to 4 finely chopped rests, 2 times within 8 weeks and 2 times after 8 weeks before the child is 1 year old.

What is the income during "postpartum papa childcare leave"?

Postpartum papa childcare leave is covered by the childcare leave benefits just like regular childcare leave, and if certain requirements are met, 67% of the salary will be paid and social insurance premiums will be exempted, so about 80% of the usual take home income will be covered. There is also a case.

Will the ratio of men taking childcare leave increase?

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 13.97% of men took childcare leave last year, the highest ever, but there is still a gap from the government's target of 30% by 2025.



In April this year, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare obliged companies to inform employees who told them of their pregnancy and childbirth that they would like to take childcare leave.



Furthermore, in April 2023, companies with more than 1,000 employees will be required to disclose the percentage of male employees taking childcare leave.



The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare hopes to boost the momentum of taking childcare leave and improve the acquisition rate through a series of system reforms.