A Happier Home, for Me and My Family Ikumen Forum 2020
Sekisui House President Yoshihiro Nakai, talking about the results and benefits of the Ikumen Leave program, and its prospects
In September 2018, Sekisui House launched a special childcare-leave program called Ikumen Leave. It aims to encourage male employees, with a child or children under the age of three, take at least one month off work to focus on childcare. Additionally, we have set September 19 as Think About Childcare Leave Day, with the hope that having male employees take childcare leave will lead to a better society; and we have been holding the Ikumen Forum since 2019. The second Ikumen Forum 2020 was held online, with the theme of “A Happier Home, for Me and My Family.”
A Society Where Paternity Leave is Normal
Visible Benefits and Prospects of Ikumen Leave
Two years have passed since the launch of Ikumen Leave. As of October 31, 2020, there are 741 male employees who have taken one month or more of paternity leave for children aged up to 3 years old (the leave application cut off date is the day before the child’s third birthday). Since February 2019, the acquisition rate for Ikumen Leave has been 100%, and we have also received positive feedback on how communication has improved in the workplace. Other benefits of Ikumen Leave include being able to do an inventory of work to be done, and enjoying a more cooperative workplace. A survey of Ikumen Leave users revealed that 98.3% of respondents felt a sense of happiness in doing housework and raising their children; this was 19.9% higher than other men who had not taken childcare leave. Research also shows that happier employees are more creative and productive. These findings support how promoting the paternity leave program Ikumen Leave has benefits for the individual and their workplaces, as well as for the company and society.
The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has increased the time spent with family at home, and highlighted a range of issues such as communicating more with family and colleagues, balancing work with raising children, and men doing their fair share of the housework and childcare. Sekisui House held a lively panel discussion, where participants shared their views on raising the quality of paternity leave to realize a sustainable society.
Panelists:
Ms. Toshie Ikenaga, (former) Director-General, Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office
Mr. Eikei Suzuki, Governor of Mie Prefecture (online participation)
Ms. Renge Jibu, Journalist
Midori Ito, Executive Officer, Sekisui House, Ltd.
(The moderator was Mr. Tetsuya Ando, Founder and Representative Director of the NPO Fathering Japan)
Click this link for more information on Ikumen Leave initiatives, and the Ikumen White Paper 2020.
Ikumen White Paper 2020: A detailed look at the reality of paternity leave in Japan
Continuing on from 2019, in 2020 as well, Sekisui House conducted a nationwide survey of 9,400 men and women in their 20s to 50s, and who have young children up to elementary school age. The results showed a year-on-year rise in the usage rate and satisfaction level of paternity leave. It also revealed that promoting paternity leave boosts the company’s image and appraisal in society.
