What is the current state of paternity leave for men at SUNNY SIDE UP? A member who actually took paternity leave shares the “real” experience during leave and what they want to work on next.

Hello! I’m Tamura from the General Affairs & HR Department at SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP.
This may be sudden, but do you know what day tomorrow, November 19, is?

In fact, it is a rare day when “Good Parenting Day” and “International Men’s Day (*1)” coincide.

(*1) What is International Men’s Day?
A commemorative day said to have started in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999, honoring men around the world who promote gender equality.

Many of you may be wondering what paternity leave is like for male members at SUNNY SIDE UP.

With that in mind, we interviewed a male member who took one month of paternity leave starting in September. As a father of two, he shared the “real” insights he gained precisely because he took paternity leave.

[Member Profile]

Corporate Division / General Affairs HR Department / Talent Development Group Ryoto Inaoka

—First, could you tell us about your background?

After graduating from university, I joined a manufacturer and worked in sales. However, I became interested in developing people and creating environments where people can grow, and I wanted to support companies that value “people,” so I changed jobs to a talent development consulting firm. It was very rewarding, but whenever clients said, “You don’t have HR experience, do you?” I felt frustrated, wondering whether I was truly able to help them in a meaningful way. So I decided that one day I wanted to work on talent development within an operating company, and through a fortunate connection, I joined SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP.

—Your career in HR started at our company. What kind of work are you doing now?

For the entire group, I am involved end-to-end—from building education systems and creating training curricula to actually delivering the training myself. In addition, I handle a wide range of tasks, including work related to members’ mental health care.

—What prompted you to decide to take paternity leave?

(At my previous job) when my first child was born, I was hardly able to participate in childcare. As my child grew, my regret about not being there to witness that growth only increased. I had decided that if we were blessed with a second child someday, I would take paternity leave and focus on supporting my wife and raising our children.

—How did you spend your time during your leave?

I took one month, and I spent a lot of time not only on childcare but also on household chores in general.
Also, the amount of time my wife and I spent together increased significantly. She works full-time, and it had been a long time since we had even eaten lunch together, so we were able to take time to talk in depth about the future, our family, and work.

—Your wife must have been happy to be able to spend relaxed time together as a family, too.

It seems my wife did not think I would be able to take paternity leave in the first place. So it was a pleasant surprise, and she told me, “I was truly grateful that someone was by my side to support me after childbirth.” Every day I faced household chores and childcare, but even so, work was always in the back of my mind (laughs).

—Looking back on your paternity leave, were there any insights you gained?

It became an opportunity to review and organize my own work. About six months in advance, I told my manager and team members that I intended to take paternity leave and proceeded with handovers, and it was a good chance to understand what kinds of tasks take how much time and effort.

Another thing is that my motivation for work increased significantly. Having a block of time allowed me to think a lot about the work I want to challenge myself with after returning and new plans, and I think it also made me feel renewed gratitude toward the members and the company that supported me in being able to take paternity leave.

—Was there anything you felt anxious about?

Being cut off from information from the workplace. Of course, I took leave to focus on childcare and housework, but I felt anxious about not receiving any work-related information at all and losing communication with members. Some members may want to completely step away from work, but I think it varies from person to person. If, in the future, there are members who take paternity leave and feel the same kind of anxiety, I believe it is important to share information in moderation.

—How do you think you can apply this experience to your work going forward?

By actually taking paternity leave this time, I realized not only how challenging handovers can be, but also the benefits, areas for improvement, and issues. With the “postnatal paternity leave (*2)” system also having been implemented on October 1 this year, I feel it is my mission—as someone who actually took paternity leave—to make good use of it and communicate it effectively.

(*2) What is postnatal paternity leave (officially, childcare leave at the time of birth)?
A new system established in October 2022, separate from the conventional “childcare leave” system. The eligible period is “within 8 weeks after the child’s birth,” and the maximum number of days that can be taken is “up to 4 weeks (28 days).” In principle, the application deadline is “by two weeks before the start of leave.” It can also be taken in two separate parts, but it is necessary to notify the company in advance as a set.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_27491.html

—What do you think should be done to make it a system that more people can use?

I think everyone has different ways of thinking about and feeling about paternity leave. That is why I believe it is important to create places and opportunities to talk regularly about childcare and the future, and to have a trigger for sharing each other’s values. As the first step, I want everyone to know what I experienced. I would be happy if this article becomes a conversation starter for you. If there are members who are unsure whether to take paternity leave, please feel free to reach out!

—Paternity leave can be taken in separate parts, right?

That’s right. Because it can be taken in separate parts to fit an individual’s schedule, it is possible to take a few days when work is relatively calm, and then take it again during another period. I think some people may not even know about this system, so I believe it is important to communicate that as well.

—Finally, a few words

For those who feel hesitant about taking a long period off, I think it is fine to take just a few days. What my wife told me—“Even if it’s just one day or one hour, I was happy that you wanted to face our child and decided to take time off for that”—still stays with me. If you think you might be able to take a few days off, I would definitely encourage you to consider using it.

[Comment from an HR Department Member]

As in this case, it was also an insight to learn that when taking a substantial period of leave, some people say they feel anxious if they become completely disconnected from the workplace. While fully focusing on childcare during leave, it may also be necessary to maintain an appropriate level of connection with the workplace. Going forward, we would like to continue listening to a variety of opinions and remain a company where paternity leave can be used and managed effectively.

How was it? We plan to continue proactively sharing the company’s initiatives, so please look forward to more!