HR managers braced for golden baby gloom

The predicted baby boom in the Chinese Year of the Golden Pig is causing headaches for human resources managers.

They expect to be confronted with a staffing shortage, according to a recent survey.

ChinaHR.com, one of the country's leading Web-based headhunters, asked 865 HR managers nationwide about their attitude towards the projected maternity leave peak.

According to the traditional calendar, the next lunar year is the Year of the Golden Pig, which only comes once every 60 years.

Babies born in this year, which starts on February 18, are believed to be destined for good fortune and a happy life.

More than 43 percent of HR managers surveyed said they are worried about a shortage of hands brought about by the pregnancy rush.

Respondents who are concerned about possible labor cost increases accounted for 22.3 percent.

"We have to find temporary staff to replace vacancies left by pregnant colleagues," said Zhang Qian, HR manager of a local French food company. "That will push up the company's economic costs, and cause much management trouble."

The country's labor laws state that women employees should have a maternity leave of at least 90 days. Employers are banned from arranging overtime work, night shift or demanding jobs for pregnant staff.

The survey said 47 percent of HR managers considered pregnant staff to have limited energy, and be unable to accomplish the same tasks as others.

Some male employees whose wives are pregnant are also unable to concentrate on their jobs, the HR managers said.

Peng Dongling, a senior specialist at ChinaHR.com, said it's normal for pregnancy to have a negative impact on one's work efficiency. "Employers must take proactive measures."

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