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Of all places, that this is coming from Japan is astounding. The culture of "company man" in Japan is notorious for essentially absorbing and erasing the line b
by kumarvvr 5y ago
Of all places, that this is coming from Japan is astounding. The culture of "company man" in Japan is notorious for essentially absorbing and erasing the line between family life and company life for an employee.
There are horror stories floating around on the internet that explain how many stay in office, often later than their boss, just to look like they are working hard.
And I have experienced it first hand. Went to Mitsubishi factory in Takasago on a company visit. I asked the employees there, why do you stay late, and they answered, everyone has to stay late.
I genuinely believe that an alternative to the 4-day week, is to allow employees to switch off their work emails and phone calls on Friday evening. No use in having a 4 day week, when your mind-share is extended to a 6 day week.
- MattGaiser 5y ago> There are horror stories floating around on the internet that explain how many stay in office, often later than their boss, just to look like they are working hard. The horror story there is in how late that takes them to in many cases. A friend spent a year in Japan. Leaving by 8 was apparently a good day.
- etempleton 5y agoIt does seem like Japan starts their day a bit later than the US. Perhaps more similar to some businesses in New York where you might roll into the office between 10 and 11, but then stay until 8 or 9 pm. Still a very long day. It is so ingrained in their work culture that closing the office one additional day a week may be the only way to give some time back to employees.
- SilverRed 5y agoI have heard that this is somewhat offset by rolling up a lot of social/etc time in to work. So they will have dinner at work with the other employees. Still horrible but it helps to understand how they even manage to live while working that long.
- erikerikson 5y agoThere was a recent study at Microsoft Japan if I recall correctly. There have been rigorous studies throughout the works for some time before that.