November 2023

This one goes out to all of the hard-working fathers in China! Let’s take a look at general paternal leave and benefits for working dads across China. (in case you’d like to know about the moms as well, here’s out companion piece on Maternity Leave in China..! Some other related benefits you may want to learn about are Marriage Leave in China & Childcare and Elderly Care Work Leave in China.) Paternity Leave in China All provinces of China support paid paternity leave. The amount of time for paid paternity leave ranges from 10 to 30 days. According to a 2023 report from INLPR (the International Network on Leave Policies and Research), paternal leave policy is as follows: National Policy: None. There is no statutory requirement for paternal leave on the national level. Province Level: Supported in all provinces. Paternity leave policies are generally the responsibility of individual provinces, and the exact amount of time varies across the country: 10 days: Shanghai. 15 days: Beijing.* 20 days: Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Hunan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi (conditional). 25 days: Ningxia, Jilin. 30 days: Yunnan, Gansu, Henan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Tibet. *Bonus! In Bejing and other select provinces, you can trade extended maternity leave days for more paternity leave days with your spouse! From Bejing.gov:  “Transfer of a female employee’s extended maternity leave to her husband: In the event that a female employee wishes to shorten the extended maternity leave to which she is entitled, her husband’s paternity leave may be extended accordingly, provided that the couple’s employers agree with such transfer. It is advisable that employers improve their leave management systems in ways that allow for such transfer against the proofs issued by a couple’s employers.” – Regulations of Beijing Municipality on Population and Family Planning Close the Wechat down for a few days dad – childcare leave is offered all across China! Is Paternity Leave Paid in China? Yes! Paternity leave mandated by the provincial-level government (listed above) is be paid at 100% of salary. When Should a Working Father take Paternity Leave in China? There is no legal requirement as to when the Paternity leave should be taken. Companies are encouraged to consider fertility policies and keep records of leave. Working Fathers-to-be may want to check with their employer in advance to prepare a plan for paternity leave. Paternity Leave – Enjoy it when needed (within reason)! Annual Parental Leave in China Another Good-to-know Benefit for New Working Fathers Parental leave in China is a relatively recent benefit.  In 2019, a government entity related to Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Development of Infant Care Services under 3 years old, encouraged all provinces of China to explore parental leave. In 2021, parental leave was officially added to The Population and Family Planning Law of the People’s Republic of China. Parental leave is provided in China, and ranges from 5 days (in places like Beijing and Shanghai) to 30 days (in Shaanxi province). A majority of provinces provide 10 days of parental leave. Here are some exceptions: 5 days: Beijing, Shanghai. 15 days: Shanxi, Gansu, Qinghai. 30 days: Shaanxi. Only Promoted (no set government policy): Jilin, Jiangsu. Give them paid leave, and the China-based working fathers shall rejoice! When is Parental Leave Taken in China? Parental leave is taken after maternity and paternity leave. It is generally provided annually for the first several years of the child’s life (following the child’s birthday as a calendar). Here’s an example of the policy laid out in Beijing (from Beijing.gov):  For every full year of a child’s life, either of his/her parents shall be entitled to a parental leave of five business days until he/she has reached three years of age. In the event that an employee fails to take his/her annual parental leave, the parental leave will not be carried over to the next year. For instance, if a child is born on June 1, 2021, either of his/her parents shall be entitled to a parental leave of 5 business days in each of the following periods: June 1, 2021-May 31, 2022, June 1, 2022-May 31, 2023, and June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024.   Is Parental Leave Paid in China? Yes. Parental leave mandated by provincial-level governments (listed above) is paid at 100% of salary. Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget!  The TeamedUp China Super-Recruiters are on the scene!  Our China Recruiter Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese job platforms such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, and Liepin. Contact Us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch Let’s find your next great China-based team member today.  References & Further Reading: Beijing.Gov: https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/lawsandpolicies/202112/t20211223_2570599.html Leave Network: https://www.leavenetwork.org/fileadmin/user_upload/k_leavenetwork/annual_reviews/2023/Blum_etal_LPRN_full_report_2023.pdf ROEDL: https://www.roedl.com/insights/china-special-leave-maternity-parental-paternity-nursing-family-planning

A New Era of Jobs in China Let’s start with some fun context. China is the world’s 2nd biggest economy and the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter by a longshot. It is also the world’s fastest-growing consumer market and second-largest importer of goods [China economy]. The country is a peer to only the United States in terms of global economic importance. China also has a HUGE and skilled workforce. Having a great cohort of reliable staff in China is important for all types of businesses all over the world. Companies outsource jobs to China of all types. Here are 11 positions that can add the most impact when China-based in the modern era.  For each position, we’ll cover a general Job Description, the China-specific attributes that add value, as well as a TL;DR summary of the job category as it relates to China. Having a great cohort of reliable staff in China is important for all types of businesses, all over the world. Table of Contents: High-Impact China-based Jobs Sourcing Specialist Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE) Digital Marketer Marketing Manager Professional / Virtual Assistant Software Developer Key Account Executive Customer Service Representative Sales Representative Business Development Manager Accountant 1) Sourcing Specialist / Sourcing Manager Sourcing Specialist: Job Description A sourcing specialist, often referred to as a procurement specialist or a sourcing manager, is a professional responsible for identifying and procuring goods, materials, or services for a company. They play a crucial role in the supply chain and procurement process, helping businesses obtain the necessary resources efficiently and cost-effectively. Sourcing Specialist: China-Specific Attributes In the context of China, a sourcing specialist focuses on sourcing products, components, or services from Chinese suppliers and manufacturers. There are several reasons why a company might choose to hire a sourcing specialist in China: Local Supply Chain Support: A sourcing specialist in China can tap into China’s vast local logistics network to find suitable suppliers and negotiate favorable terms. Cost savings: China is often associated with competitive manufacturing costs, and the country’s supply chain technologies are only getting better at a brisk pace. A sourcing specialist can help identify cost-effective suppliers and negotiate prices to maximize cost savings. Local expertise: A sourcing specialist in China possesses local market knowledge, understanding of regulations, and cultural insights that can be invaluable when navigating the Chinese business environment. They can help ensure compliance with local laws and regulations and establish strong relationships with Chinese suppliers. Quality control: Ensuring product quality is crucial for businesses, and a sourcing specialist can help implement quality control measures and inspections at various stages of the supply chain to maintain product quality standards. Supplier relationship management: Establishing and maintaining good relationships with Chinese suppliers is essential for long-term success. A sourcing specialist can work on building and managing these relationships to ensure a reliable and efficient supply chain. Language and communication: A sourcing specialist in China can bridge the language and communication gap that may exist between a foreign company and Chinese suppliers. Effective communication is crucial for a successful partnership. Risk management: They can help identify and mitigate risks, such as supply chain disruptions, quality issues, or changes in local regulations that may affect the company’s operations in China. Streamlined logistics and shipping: Sourcing specialists often have experience in logistics and can assist with the efficient movement of goods from China to their final destination, including handling customs and import/export documentation. China Sourcing Specialist: Summary In summary, a sourcing specialist in China helps companies streamline their procurement processes, reduce costs, ensure quality, and navigate the complexities of the Chinese market. They are valuable assets for companies looking to source products or services from China and establish successful business relationships with Chinese suppliers. 2) Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE) Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE): Job Description A Sourcing Engineer, also known as a Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE), is a professional who plays a critical role in the procurement and supply chain management process. They focus on ensuring the quality and reliability of products or components sourced from various suppliers, often with an emphasis on engineering and technical expertise.  Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE): China-Specific Attributes Here’s why a company might hire a Sourcing Engineer, particularly in China: Quality assurance: Sourcing Engineers are responsible for evaluating and ensuring the quality of components or products sourced from suppliers. They conduct inspections, quality audits, and testing to make sure that the goods meet the required specifications and standards. This is particularly important in industries where product quality is a priority, such as automotive, electronics, and aerospace. Technical expertise: Sourcing Engineers often have a strong background in engineering or a related technical field. Their technical knowledge allows them to understand the intricate details of products and materials, ensuring they meet the company’s technical requirements and specifications. Supplier qualification: Sourcing Engineers assess and qualify potential suppliers based on their technical capabilities, production processes, and quality control systems. They help the company select suppliers with the necessary technical capabilities to meet its specific needs. Process improvement: Sourcing Engineers work on process improvement with suppliers to optimize manufacturing and quality control processes. They may suggest changes to enhance product quality, reduce defects, and improve production efficiency. Risk management: They identify and mitigate risks related to product quality and supply chain disruptions. By addressing potential issues early in the sourcing process, Sourcing Engineers help reduce the likelihood of defects and production delays. Supplier relationship management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers is crucial. Sourcing Engineers work closely with suppliers to foster collaboration and understanding, ensuring that both parties are aligned on quality and technical requirements. Communication and translation: They facilitate effective communication between the company and Chinese suppliers, bridging language and cultural differences. This is particularly important when discussing technical specifications and quality requirements. Cost-effective sourcing: Sourcing Engineers may also focus on finding cost-effective solutions while maintaining product quality. They often negotiate pricing with suppliers to achieve the best balance between cost and quality. Compliance with regulations: They ensure that products sourced from China comply