Workplaces Pressure Employees to Resign Due to Pregnancy or Use of Maternity Leave. (Image courtesy of Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Korea Bizwire) – A female worker, identified only as A, was asked by her employer to submit a letter of resignation after she informed them about her pregnancy. She initially cited pregnancy as the reason for her resignation, but the company asked her to change it to a voluntary resignation.
A public sector worker, identified as B, applied for a reduction in work hours for childcare leave but was informed by a manager that it was not possible since she was not a public servant.
Another female worker, identified as C, returned to her job after taking maternity leave but was placed on a waiting list because another worker had been assigned to her position.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Monday, a total of 220 reports, submitted both online and offline, were received through the Maternity Protection Report Center, which was established in April, regarding workplaces that violated maternity protection measures, including childcare leave and maternity leave, over the past six months.
In 203 out of the 220 cases, measures such as administrative instructions and workplace supervision were completed, while fact-finding investigations are ongoing for 17 cases.
In cases where the workplace names were not disclosed, the ministry provided guidance on regulations and procedures for redress.
Among the reports concerning violations of maternity protection measures, those related to childcare leave accounted for the largest share, totaling 90 cases or 40.9 percent of the total. These included reports of unfair treatment for the use of childcare leave (47 cases) and the rejection of approval or hindrance of the use of childcare leave (36 cases).
There were instances where workplaces pressured employees to resign after taking childcare leave or recommended employees return after resigning to extend the childcare leave period.
Reports related to the reduction of work hours during the childcare period numbered 38 cases (17.3 percent), and reports related to maternity leave amounted to 20 cases (9.1 percent).
The Ministry of Employment and Labor also noted that legal action had been taken against employers that refused to grant maternity leave.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
