Advocates Press for Parental Leave Flexibility, Potentially Extending Maternity Leave Duration
In Taiwan, women currently receive 7 days of prenatal check-up leave, 56 days of mandatory maternity leave, and men receive just 5 days to accompany. However, a shift towards more inclusive family policies is necessary to promote gender equality and shared caregiving.
The International Labour Organization recommends maternity leave to be at least 14 weeks, and organisations such as the Childcare Policy Alliance advocate for flexible leave policies and better paternity leave, rather than extending maternity leave to 12 weeks.
Implementing flexible leave policies and enhanced paternity leave offers several benefits. Firstly, it promotes gender equality and shared caregiving by encouraging fathers to participate more actively in childcare, balancing caregiving responsibilities between parents. Secondly, it improves work-life balance and employee wellbeing, reducing stress and burnout. Thirdly, it increases employee engagement and productivity, boosting morale and productivity. Lastly, it supports workforce retention by accommodating employees' changing needs, reducing turnover and associated costs.
However, there are potential drawbacks to consider. Flexible leave policies require careful coordination and clear guidelines to avoid operational disruption. Cultural norms might limit some fathers from taking full advantage of paternity leave, potentially limiting the policy’s effectiveness. Additionally, flexible or extended leave policies may strain smaller companies with fewer resources to cover for absent employees.
Compared to extending maternity leave, flexible and paternity leave policies offer several advantages. They promote shared parental responsibility, support both parents' work-life balance, and are likely to maintain higher workforce participation among both genders. However, they may require more complex administration and may not be as effective unless accompanied by supportive workplace culture.
In Taiwan’s context, where balancing demographic concerns and workplace culture is critical, flexible leave policies combined with better paternity leave can modernize family support more effectively than merely extending maternity leave. This approach fosters gender equality, retains productive employees, and promotes healthier work environments.
Successful implementation depends on overcoming cultural resistance and ensuring clear policy frameworks to manage any operational challenges. The Childcare Policy Alliance suggests the government share the cost of any additional maternity or paternity pay and recommends four weeks of mandatory paid leave for partners. The current draft amendments overlook the low rate of paternity leave uptake, and it is crucial to address this issue to ensure the success of any new policies.
A recent online survey by the Childcare Policy Alliance found that 66.5% of respondents believed that extended maternity leave could lead to more severe discrimination in the workplace against women, underscoring the need for comprehensive and inclusive family policies.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6539853/
- https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/country-profiles/country-ratifications/WCMS_732179/lang--en/index.htm
- https://www.childcarealliance.org/
- https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4215328
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2019/04/29/the-benefits-of-flexible-work-arrangements-for-employers/?sh=51e24c7161c8
- Implementing flexible leave policies and enhanced paternity leave, as advocated by the Childcare Policy Alliance, can contribute significantly to health and wellness in families, particularly mental health, by encouraging fathers to take an active role in childcare, reducing stress for both parents and promoting a healthier work-life balance.
- Incorporating comprehensive family policies, such as flexible leave policies and better paternity leave, into the workplace can boost employee engagement, productivity, and morale, thereby enhancing overall workplace wellness and fostering a supportive environment for parenting.
- To promote gender equality and shared caregiving, it's crucial for Taiwan to embrace science-backed family policies, such as those recommended by the International Labour Organization, and adopt flexible leave policies combined with better paternity leave, which are more effective at improving family health and employee wellness than merely extending maternity leave.
