RECRUIT

Both of you are currently managers at our company, overseeing subordinates, and at home, you are also parents with children. What is your daily life like?

I work at the Niigata Construction Office and hold the position of Chief of the Engineering Department. I got married at the age of 35, and now I live in Niigata City with my wife and two children, aged 4 and 2.

I work as the land acquisition manager at the Saitama Construction Office. I got married in my sixth year with the company and gave birth at the age of 30. We are currently a family of three. I took a total of 1 year and 8 months of maternity and childcare leave.

Our company allows employees to take parental leave for up to three years, but SK returned to work after 1 year and 8 months. Did HI also take parental leave when her child was born?

Yes. With my first child, my boss asked me, "Aren't you going to take parental leave?" and I took it without much thought. I also took three days of spousal paternity leave, which I could use to be present at the birth. I was worried that I might be missing work, but those around me told me, "We'll cover for you and share information afterward, so it's okay!" With my second child, I couldn't be present at the birth due to the pandemic, but I took parental leave just like with my first child.

Many people are concerned about handing over their work when going on maternity or childcare leave. How did you handle that, SK?

Because I informed my supervisor early, they were able to carefully consider who would take over my duties and how. I think I was able to go on maternity leave smoothly with plenty of time to spare. At the time, I was working at Regional Head Office and my work was basically desk-based, so I was able to continue working without overexerting myself during my pregnancy.

I only took about a week of maternity leave, so I wasn't away from work for that long, but how was it for you, SK, taking nearly two years off? Did you have any anxieties, especially regarding returning to work?

Yes, I was worried about whether I could properly balance work and family life. In reality, when I returned to work, the members of my department and the work situation had changed considerably in the two years I had been away, and I was getting a lot of calls from the daycare center, so it was tough at first. But, I was initially given the tasks I had been in charge of, so I was able to gradually get back into the swing of things.

SK, I understand you're currently on partial leave because your children are young. Is there an atmosphere at your workplace where you can leave on time without feeling obligated to do so?

My boss asks me, "Aren't you going home yet?", and my subordinates avoid scheduling meetings after the evening, so I'm able to leave work on time thanks to the support of those around me. There are days when I feel guilty about leaving early depending on the situation, but I accept that and dedicate the evenings to my family.

Speaking of support, having company housing is a huge plus. In company housing, most of your neighbors are employees' families, which gives you a different level of security. You can consult with others if something comes up, and I think everyone cooperates in raising their children. Also, even if you move due to a transfer, it's easier to make friends with other dads and moms if you live in company housing, which is a great help.

It seems both of you have managed to balance work and childcare well, making use of company policies and other resources. I'm curious whether other employees are also able to balance work and childcare, and whether all supervisors understand the difficulties of pregnancy and childbirth.

In my experience, my supervisor changed before and after my maternity/childcare leave, but both supervisors were considerate of my pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. Thanks to them, I was able to talk to them about anything.

Even male employees might find it difficult to speak up if they've just transferred to a new department and haven't yet established easy-to-talk-to relationships with those around them.

That's certainly true. We want to create an environment where it's normal for men to take paternity leave when their children are born. To create an environment where it's easier for men to take paternity leave, it's important that supervisors start by encouraging them.

I never even considered taking paternity leave until my boss suggested it. But after taking it, I truly understood how difficult raising children is. It strengthened my sense of responsibility to raise these children together with my wife, and my gratitude towards her grew even stronger. I'm now encouraging my subordinates, whose children are due soon, to take paternity leave as well.

That's wonderful! By the way, besides maternity and childcare leave, do you also take time off for your family on a regular basis?

Yes. I recently took time off to celebrate my child's birthday. In addition to paid leave, there are many other types of leave available, such as special summer leave and special leave to promote reduced working hours, so many people take long vacations by combining them with Obon or Golden Week.

I also took time off for my wife's birthday and went to a hot spring resort with my family. The company as a whole has an environment where it's easy to take time off, so although I make arrangements in advance, I can take time off without hesitation.

Some people take time off to attend their children's entrance or graduation ceremonies, or to support them at their club activities. I get the impression that many people value their families.

Like SK said, I also make good use of my vacation time and often relax. When I go back to my parents' home with my family, they are happy to see their grandchildren.

Thank you both very much. I think this roundtable discussion will have given job-seeking students a more realistic picture of what it's like to work after a change in life stage. Finally, could you both please give us a brief message?

Our company operates in a wide area, providing an environment where you can grow by being involved in various businesses. At the same time, it's easy to take time off, allowing you to prioritize your family. We hope you'll consider our company if you imagine how you want to work 10 or 20 years from now. We have many systems in place to help you achieve work-life balance!

When you're job hunting, it's important to choose a company where you can do the work you want and are interested in, but it's equally important to consider whether you can work there long-term and feel secure, taking into account your life events. I'm rooting for you to find a company that suits your own values!