Support during childcare period, etc.
An overview of childcare support systems at Hokkaido University
Established in July 2014 by the Welfare and Labor Relations Office, Personnel Division, General Affairs and Planning Department."Outline of Childcare Support Systems at Hokkaido University" (PDF, 11 pages).
table of contents
A.Childcare support system and availability period
Two.Restrictions on overtime work for pregnant and postpartum women, etc.
Three.special holidays
Four.Childcare leave, etc.
XNUMX.Social insurance, etc.
XNUMX.Other Information
Childcare, elder care...life is full of unexpected events—creating systems that allow for flexible responses when they occur.
The lifestyles of female researchers often change drastically with pregnancy and childbirth, shifting from their single days or their lives with a partner. While they rejoice at the arrival of a baby, adapting to their new life requires significant mental and physical effort. Caregiving needs can also suddenly fall not only on parents but also on partners. Hokkaido University offers various systems, such as special leave and partial leave (reduced working hours) related to childbirth, childcare, and caregiving, but the number of female researchers utilizing these systems is currently very low. Reasons for this include the difficulty of taking leave amidst fierce research and career advancement competition, the difficulty of finding replacements for work during leave, and the fact that the systems themselves do not match the actual work situation and needs, or are difficult to obtain.
To improve this situation, the Promotion Office will listen to and incorporate the voices of female researchers, their partners, and families, and aim to revise the current system and expand its convenience. We will consider creating a system that can flexibly respond to the need for leave that may arise unexpectedly due to the child's developmental stage or the parent's aging. Not only for researchers, but also for women in general, there is a second peak in leaving the profession when the first child starts elementary school, following the peak at the birth of the first child, so we will also consider and promote childcare support necessary during the compulsory education period of elementary and junior high school, which is not adequately addressed by the current system.
For example, we do the following activities.
- To ensure that Hokkaido University researchers, students, and international students do not have to worry about the issue of childcare enrollment, in addition to the Sapporo City-approved childcare center "Kodomo no Sono" and the Hokkaido University Hospital childcare center "Poplar" located on the Sapporo campus, there is also a childcare centerTogetherWe are working with relevant departments to improve the childcare environment, including establishing a new facility.
- Support for research assistants during maternity leave, childcare leave, etc.
- Improving childcare conditions around the Hakodate campus and remote research facilities.
- Understanding the needs for care during summer and winter breaks for elementary and junior high school students, as well as during illness, and developing support measures.
- Needs assessment regarding childcare for foreign researchers and international students,Nursery school accompaniment and interpretation support
- Rental of temporary rest sets for pregnant women and those taking care of their children.
