> the third most common reason given was an “unfavorable atmosphere” in the workplace. The top reason was staff shortages and the second most common reason was that their company did not offer it.
If the company doesn't offer it, then they don't have a choice.
If they're short-staffed, that's (most likely) an atmosphere the company has created to keep labor costs low.
So the #2 reason shouldn't even be on the list, and #1 is essentially the same as #3. In other words, "unfavorable atmosphere" is the #1 reason for choosing not to take available paternity leave. This is no different from American companies that offer "unlimited" vacation time but create a toxic work culture where everyone feels guilty for using it.
Anecdotally, my female Japanese friend outright rejected the idea of going back to work after having a kid and said that lots of her friends feel the same way. There seems to be a strong cultural thing around women becoming stay-at-home mom's instead of rejoining the workforce.
I'm not going to comment on 'pressure', but I've noticed that companies with formal vacation policies seem to be better for women on mat leave because they can stack their accrued time on top of the mat leave policy.
Maternity leave refers to a specific employment benefit. We’re you genuinely confused or trying to make some other point? In the latter case, is it relevant to this thread?
If the company doesn't offer it, then they don't have a choice.
If they're short-staffed, that's (most likely) an atmosphere the company has created to keep labor costs low.
So the #2 reason shouldn't even be on the list, and #1 is essentially the same as #3. In other words, "unfavorable atmosphere" is the #1 reason for choosing not to take available paternity leave. This is no different from American companies that offer "unlimited" vacation time but create a toxic work culture where everyone feels guilty for using it.