Reasons why more people are likely to take childcare leave from April 2025 and how companies should respond

Reasons why more people are likely to take childcare leave from April 2025

Laws related to employment insurance and childcare leave often change in April.
Amendments are already scheduled for April 2025 (Reiwa 7).
Among these, there are changes that will increase the number of people taking childcare leave in the future, so I have summarized the reasons for this and what companies should prepare.

Details of the amendments (from April 2025 (Reiwa 7))

1. Increase in childcare leave benefits
From April 2025, if both the employee (who is covered by employment insurance) and their spouse take at least 14 days of childcare leave within the first 8 weeks after the child's birth, the amount of childcare leave benefits received will change.
In addition to the current 67% of the pre-leave salary, an additional 13% can be received as a post-birth leave support benefit.
This means that 80% of the salary can be received.
Since approximately 15% is deducted for social insurance premiums and about 5-10% for income tax when working normally, this 80% means that one can receive a salary at almost the same level.

While it was previously a choice for the individual to take it or not, it is expected that there will be more cases where the spouse asks them to take it.
As a result, I think more people will say, "I'll take leave because my family asked me to," or "I have to take it because I was asked to."

2. Benefits for reduced working hours
Additionally, a 10% benefit is planned for those who work reduced hours while their child is under two years old.
This is often helpful, but the reason many people with children under three do not currently choose reduced working hours is often not because of income, but because they would no longer be able to apply for daycare.
Therefore, I think it is still too early for the number of people taking reduced working hours to increase.

What companies should prepare

1. Create a system where childcare leave is the norm
Interest in taking childcare leave is also increasing socially.
I believe we are moving toward a society where it is taken for granted that both men and women take childcare leave. It is necessary for companies to prepare with that premise in mind.

2. Publish model cases for leave duration
When I listen to male employees whose spouses are expecting, I often hear that they want to take childcare leave but don't know how long they should take.
They say that although they have a desire to actively participate in child-rearing for a certain period, they feel anxious about whether they will be able to return if they take a long break from work.
Therefore, what I can do as a person in charge is to share examples of how others have taken leave and recommend that they consider taking a similar period.
The two to three months after childbirth are physically difficult for the woman who gave birth, and I think it is very important for the spouse to be able to participate in child-rearing during this period. I believe that if we can show such example periods, it will be easier for employees to take childcare leave.

Summary

Laws regarding childcare leave are being amended year by year.
I feel that those in charge are required to change how they explain things to employees depending on when they take leave, and that it is becoming increasingly important for those in charge to keep up with information.
As for obtaining information, I think checking with the contracted labor and social security attorney or tax accountant is the shortest path, but I feel that how the company incorporates that depends on the company's and the person in charge's feelings toward the employees taking childcare leave.
I hope this note can also be a support for such people.

Thank you for reading.
I am in charge of HR and labor management at a startup with about 100 employees.
My goal is to assist the back office of those who aim to permeate their business into society.
To that end, I aim to share information that is even a little bit useful in this note!