#Japan #Tokyo #Waris #Work-Life Balance #employment regulations

Promoting Women's Employment through New Policies

As of June 24, 2025, the human resources service company Waris, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, will provide free employment regulation templates aimed at fostering environments where women can work comfortably. This initiative is in response to the recent amendments to the Child Care and Family Care Leave Law, which took effect in phases starting April 2025.

The templates are designed primarily for startups and small to medium enterprises, considering the challenges in the current labor market. By incorporating examples of institutional designs catering to various working styles, Waris aims to assist companies in becoming the preferred choice during a time of fierce competition for talent.

Addressing Key Challenges for Employers

Many companies face difficulties such as high turnover rates despite hiring efforts or a lack of attractive policies to draw applicants. With the expectations for a conducive work environment rising, particularly among young and female talent, offering flexible working conditions and promoting diversity have become crucial competitive advantages.

Waris has been actively working to actualize its vision of “Live Your Life” by providing career support for women and accumulating valuable know-how through supporting diverse working styles and consulting on introducing new systems for companies. This template aims to convey this knowledge back to society and foster environments that enhance work engagement in businesses.

Features of the Employment Regulation Template

The templates comply with the amendments to the Child Care and Family Care Leave Law, which includes:

• - Expanded measures to implement flexible working styles according to child ages.
• - Obligation to publicize the status of parental leave uptake and promotion of next-generation upbringing support measures.
• - Strengthening support systems for balancing work and caregiving to prevent resignation due to caregiving duties.

This latest guidance provides a universally applicable 'starting point' for the regulatory framework of employment, specifically tailored for the needs of startups and SMEs.

Implementing Human Capital Management

Beyond compliance with laws, demonstrating a commitment to valuing each employee increases a company's credibility and boosts employee engagement. The templates include policies such as:

• - Cross-Employment System: A flexible system for part-time employees that accommodates parenting, caregiving, and side jobs.
• - Flexible Work Hours and Remote Work: Options for a core time flexible schedule along with the possibility of remote work.
• - Family Special Leave: 2-3 days of paid special leave per year for caregiving, parenting, or family events.
• - Support for Childcare and Caregiving: Hourly leave, reduced hours until the end of elementary school.
• - Side Business System: A policy accommodating the growing demand for side jobs among startup employees.
• - Benefit Policies for Diverse Family Structures: Applicability of welfare borne by non-traditional family models.
• - Flexible Employment of Contract Employees: Ensuring fairness regardless of employment types.

How to Utilize the Templates

The implementation path is straightforward:
1. Explore how your company can adapt the downloaded template.
2. Engage in discussions between management and labor.
3. Consult with labor consultants or lawyers as needed.
4. Officially establish and report the employment regulations to the relevant labor office.

The document is crafted to be adaptable for various industries and sizes, so it serves as a great foundation.

Collaboration with Experts is Crucial

Consider the template a foundation. To ensure legal compliance and effective implementation, working with specialists will be a key component to success.

Feedback from Companies Using the Template

Local leaders are looking to leverage this support for regional revitalization. An example is the representative of RICH Co., Ltd, stating their intention to foster a more inclusive working culture in the Hokuriku area. This sentiment echoes Waris's goal to create workplaces reflective of modern employment needs.

Voices from Waris Team

The corporate leader at Waris emphasizes the importance of continuously adapting workplace regulations to inspire a dynamic culture where all team members thrive while embodying the company vision. They hope this template serves as a valuable resource for numerous organizations seeking to create a women-friendly work environment.

For more information or to download the free templates, visit Waris.