"There are six people in this section, and two are pregnant and
expecting to give birth in July," said Zhang Jin, a human resources
manager of a Beijing website company as he scratched his head. "And
summer is always our busiest time of year."
According to an AC Neilson report, more Chinese people tied the
knot in 2006 than in any other year over the last two decades. A
baby boom in this Year of the Golden Pig is sure to follow.
Another survey by the website "China Talent" shows that 66
percent Chinese companies are not prepared for the sudden loss of
employees.
The web survey said that more than half of the women of
child-bearing age said they prefer to have a baby this year, as
Chinese astrology says people born during the year of the pig are
polite, honest, hardworking, loyal and lucky.
"According to Chinese law, a new mother is entitled to a 90-day
maternity leave, plus hospital visits before the birth,
breast-feeding leave and other days off. A new mother may be away
from her job for more than half a year, which will put our company
under great pressure," Zhang Jin said.
Around 43 percent of human resources managers surveyed said that
the baby boom will be their biggest challenge this year. To make
the matter worse, about 10 percent of new mothers say they have
considered quitting their jobs after giving birth.
Zhu Weiwei, a manager with a public relations company in
Beijing, said that most companies worked out this year's plans late
last year. "Now suddenly so many staff have told me they are going
to have babies at the same time. I'm totally unprepared."
"I don't think other people will be taking vacations this year,"
she said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2007)