INTRODUCTION

Hello there! I am Asami Minei and I am a DX engineer at GA technologies' AI Strategy Center (AISC). 

In this article, we'd like to focus on Samantha, a second-year newcomer who is making strides in our DX team, and delve into her experience with maternity and parental leave.

At AISC, we have a diverse team with members from various backgrounds. Samantha, hailing from the Philippines, faced her own set of uncertainties when it came to taking maternity and parental leave. How did the company support her during this time?

Let's dive into the interview to find out.

MATERNITY/ PARENTAL LEAVE EXPERIENCE

ASAMI: Can you tell us a little bit about your tasks at AISC?

SAMANTHA: I mainly work on image processing projects under the research and development team, and now in the digital transformation team.

ASAMI: What was your maternity/parental leave experience like and how did the process go?

SAMANTHA: I took maternity leave from December 2022 to March 2023, for about three months. Maternity leave (pre and postnatal leave) according to the Labor Standards Act is determined by the number of days available for pre and postnatal leave. Pre-natal leave starts six weeks before the expected date of childbirth, and post-natal leave starts eight weeks after childbirth. In my case, I took the maximum number of days available.

The process for taking maternity leave was quite easy, the labor office did all the work. I have set a meeting with the labor office regarding my intent to take maternity leave. 

During the meeting, they discussed all the information regarding maternity leave like when is the last day that I can work and how long will it be. In my case, December 18, 2022 was supposed to be the start of my maternity leave since my estimated delivery date was January 20, and was supposed to end on March 25, 2023. 

I planned to give birth in the Philippines then to have a proper support system so I went home to the Philippines ahead of the start of my maternity leave. After my check up with the doctor, my due date was changed to January 26, 2023, so I requested to have my maternity leave start on December 28 since I can still work, especially since I will be working remotely.

Honestly, I barely did anything during the application for maternity leave, it was very smooth.

When the supposed end of my maternity leave was nearing, I consulted Inamoto-san (head of AISC) regarding my situation. While in the Philippines, we were applying for my husband and son’s dependent visas in order to be able to come with me to Japan. I was advised by Inamoto-san to take childcare leave for the meantime while waiting for their visas, and since I was still exclusively breastfeeding my son back then. 

Taking Inamoto-san’s advice, I told the labor office that I will be taking a childcare leave until around June, but it was extended until the 1st week of September since we still needed time to settle moving to Japan, and finding my son a nursery school. So in total, my childcare leave was from March 25 - September 6, 2023. The process was very smooth as well, I just told them that I will be taking a childcare leave, and they did all the work. 

ASAMI: How was your experience during your leave?

SAMANTHA：My whole pregnancy was very sensitive from the start, and I got hospitalized quite a few times due to early labor so I was really forbidden to do anything tiresome. 

So during the last few weeks of my pregnancy and first few weeks of my maternity leave, I was really bored. I am not used to doing nothing, so I kept finding things I could do. I usually go to my parents-in-law’s house to just have a chit chat, or eat with them since their house is very near our own house. My husband was working back then as well, so I’m just with our house helper and our dogs, so I was really bored. 

When I gave birth, it was very painful since I had an emergency cesarean delivery, so I was hospitalized for about 3 days. During my maternity and childcare leave, I was actually really fortunate to have the support of my parents-in-law, and my family in the Philippines. I had help and support from them every step of the way. There are things that I did not know yet as a first time mom, so I kept asking for advice on what I should do in different types of situations with my son. 

We were advised by our pediatrician that exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is highly recommended for my son’s immune system, so I really did my best to do this until I came back to work. 

I was a very hands-on mom and did everything. There were times when I felt really tired and there were a lot of sleepless nights but everything was really worth it,  when I saw my son. It was like all my worries and fatigue magically disappears when I see my son’s smiling face.

CONCERNS

ASAMI：Did you have any concerns about your leave?

SAMANTHA: Honestly, I had a lot of worries. We were moving as a family to Japan, so I had worries that I might not be able to find a nursery school as soon as possible since I heard that it was quite hard to get into nursery school. 

I was worried as well with my husband since he is not used to life in Japan, and doesn’t speak nor understand Japanese yet. Up until now, I still am worried about my family’s adjustment to life here in Japan. 

I am worried as well that I might not be able to attend to my son’s needs properly since I am working. I am a very career-oriented person, and I do not like the feeling of not being able to perform my best at work. I had to accept the fact that there are things that I cannot do for the meantime since I have a child.

It was really hard for me since I wanted to accomplish a lot of things, and I felt like I was not able to do work the way I wanted to, which made me restless and frustrated. I am not blaming my son for what I am feeling, but I felt like I was not enough to do everything I needed to do. 

Honestly, I am still trying to find the correct balance between work and personal life. Though I think, I can safely say that I’m trying my best to find that balance, and working towards reaching my own career goals while raising my son. 

ASAMI: How did GA help you achieve a work-life balance?

SAMANTHA: Honestly, GA is very caring towards its workers. Inamoto-san was also very supportive and helped me adjust to the workplace again. There were times when I felt really frustrated about not being able to work the way I want to, and Inamoto-san was there to give advice and to guide me.

My request to have shortened office hours, and extended remote working hours was also approved by Inamoto-san since I have to fetch my son from nursery school. I am really thankful for that since I think I can still work while being a full-time and hands-on mother. The members also gave my son a diaper cake, which he really enjoyed since he loves toys and some of them even had bells inside. 

Overall, I am proud to say that GA is taking care of their workers well by adapting to the situation of the workers, while simultaneously working towards the goal of the company.

PERSPECTIVES

ASAMI: What do you consider important for achieving a work-life balance?

SAMANTHA: I think it is important to have a flexible working environment. Since my son is still very young, there are unexpected accidents that may occur like contracting a virus, or getting sick. I

think it is also different for a mother and a father when it comes to finding the balance between work and raising a child. Usually, a mother takes on bigger responsibilities when it comes to childcare. I think especially in my case since when my son gets sick, I usually have to be the one to bring him to the doctor since my husband cannot communicate yet in Japanese to explain to the doctor my son’s situation.

My husband also just started working and he doesn’t have any leave yet. In this aspect, I am really thankful to Inamoto-san and GA for letting me still be a hands-on mother while working.

ASAMI: Have there been any changes in your perspective regarding work?

SAMANTHA: I think yes, having a child really changes your perspective in life. After a rough or tiring day at work, I always look forward to seeing my son at the end of day and recharge.

It also made me work harder to provide better for the future of my son. Before, I was just really working hard to achieve everything I want for myself, and my career. Everything I do now is not for myself nor my husband alone, it is now for the future of my son. 

ASAMI: Lastly, do you have any advice regarding child leave to share with us?

SAMANTHA: Do not be afraid of taking childcare leave because those vulnerable moments with your child are very important. It enhances your relationship with your son and family, and gives you the joy of seeing your child grow up beautifully.

I know that Japanese people tend to be workaholics, and sometimes have little time for themselves, but family is more important. Taking time to be with your family does not make you less of a good worker, but it actually makes you better since it gives you a different perspective and refreshed mind.

TO WRAP UP

Thank you very much for reading this interview. Through Samantha's experience of taking maternity/childcare leave, I hope you gained some insight into the working environment and childcare leave system at GA. 

We will continue to provide information about working and activities at AISC, so please stay tuned for more articles!