Parental leave out of reach for SMEs

[Anchor]

The systems such as childbirth incentives and parental leave are still distant stories for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Many employees in SMEs are still voicing that they cannot freely use parental leave.

Reporter Jo Eun-ae has the details.

[Report]

Yoo Dong-hoon, who works at a software development company, returned to work after fully utilizing the legal parental leave period of one year.

[Yoo Dong-hoon/Used parental leave for 1 year: "I was very worried before using it. I wondered if it would be okay to take it. I felt sorry for my team members since I am a team leader."]

Among the 160 employees at this company, more than 10 have taken parental leave in the past five years.

This was thanks to the company atmosphere.

[Lee Seung-hyun/Used parental leave for 3 months: "The overall atmosphere among colleagues is supportive, and there is a feeling that I can do a little more."]

[Kim Byeong-soo/CEO: "(If an employee leaves) because we couldn't offer a short period of parental leave, it would result in more loss than gain for the company."]

However, the situation is different for many SMEs.

"Even if needed, I cannot use parental leave at all."

22% of employees working in companies with fewer than 10 people responded this way, showing a significant difference compared to the mere 2% in large companies, where the use of parental leave was less restricted.

The most cited reason was 'increased workload for colleagues.'

[Mr. Kim/SME worker: "When someone goes on parental leave and there are personnel changes, during gatherings, they make jokes like, 'That's why we used to say we wouldn't hire women,' with a nuance of humor."]

Four out of five workers are in SMEs.

Although the parental leave rate in SMEs has been gradually increasing each year, more support and a change in perception seem necessary.

KBS News, Jo Eun-ae.