Childcare and Nursing care Support

Making the shorter working hours system for childcare more flexible

We believe that the main impediment to women’s success in the workplace is that housework and childcare are often biased in favor of women, leading to time, psychological and physical constraints. Considering that late working hours make it difficult for employees with children to continue working, we revised the system of shorter working hours for childcare in April 2023 to allow using this system until the child finishes the third year of junior high school. In addition, we expanded the prescribed working hours of the shorter working hours system for childcare from two patterns: 5 hours and 6 hours to six patterns from 5 hours to 7.5 hours (in 30-minute increments). This change will let employees choose their work style according to their personal circumstances. We want to link this change not only to support for balancing work with childcare, but also to the career development of women.

Encouraging men to take paternity leave

In order to support a balance between work and childcare regardless of sex, in April 2024 we extended the required number of leave days from 14 days to 28 days for “ikumen leave (special paid childcare leave for a maximum of 28 days).” In fiscal 2023, 103 persons (leave taking rate 96.3%) took an average of 14.7 days of leave.

We intend to create a work environment where employees, as part of their lifestyle, can enjoy both work and childcare regardless of their gender.

The Company has also enhanced measures to support employees taking care of their families. Under the system of nursing care leave and shorter working hours introduced in 1994, nursing care leave can be used for up to one year per person requiring family care, and there is no time limitation for shortened working hours for nursing care. The system is designed to help employees continue their careers while fulfilling their family responsibilities, care needs are very complex and diverse, so the use of leave or shorter working hours alone is not sufficient support.

Making the shorter working hours system for nursing care more flexible

In January 2024 we expanded the prescribed working hours of the shorter working hours system for nursing care from two patterns: 5 hours and 6 hours to six patterns from 5 hours to 7.5 hours (in 30-minute increments).

Launch of a nursing care consultation desk

In the future, the number of employees who work while providing nursing care to family members is expected to rise.

To support these employees providing nursing care and prevent them from leaving the company due to their obligations for nursing, on March 1, 2022 the Joshin Group launched the nursing care consultation desk, which is available for all employees directly employed by the Group. We joined a nursing insurance program as a joint labor-management project, and the consultation desk is available for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.