Parental Leave Backlash: Over 60% of Korean Workers Face Negative Workplace Reactions

Despite government efforts to encourage parental leave, a significant majority of Korean workers face workplace backlash. A report by the Committee for Ageing and Population Policy and the Korea Institute of Public Finance found that 63.3% of employees who took parental leave experienced negative reactions from their employers or colleagues. This issue is particularly acute in private companies, where 70.1% reported such experiences, more than double the rate in the public sector (35%). The study surveyed 1,000 workers aged 25-49 nationwide, with 207 having taken parental leave. Concerns about reduced income (54.6%) and workplace pressure (44.9%) were major factors influencing the decision to take leave. Furthermore, upon returning to work, 59% of employees reported facing discrimination or disadvantages. These included disparities in salary and performance bonuses (30.1%), being excluded from key projects, or even being pressured to resign. Even the legally mandated 90-day maternity leave was not fully utilized by 39.1% of employees, and only 51.4% of eligible workers took paternity leave. These findings highlight a persistent gap between policy and practice regarding parental leave in South Korea, suggesting a need for stronger enforcement and cultural change within workplaces.