A recent survey shows 70 per cent employees in Dongguan feel embarrassed to ask for family leave, worrying about losing their jobs, according to the Guangzhou Daily.
The survey conducted by job-hunting website, www. job5156.com, shows for many new citizens in Dongguan, a city in south China's Guangdong Province, family leave is what they want most out of all their welfare benefits.
Mr. Liang from northeast China has worked in Dongguan for 4 years, leaving behind his children and wife in his hometown. The company he works for allows family leave but for Liang, the holidays are "a luxury".
"It originally should be a good benefit. But when you are on holiday, your work all goes to other employees and when you come back, all that is waiting for you is your departure from the company." Liang complains.
Wang Qian, an advisor with the job-hunting site, said if companies offered welfare in a more sensitive way, they would be better at keeping talented and motivated employees.
Statistics show 53 percent of the respondents enjoy year-end bonuses every year and the most welcomed is living welfare, which includes housing subsidy, traveling, children's education benefits and the family leave.
