One aspect of the Japanese work environment that is interesting to me is the constant need to do overtime work. Now, I know not all companies in Japan have overtime standards, but there are many that do. A friend of mine told me about how some companies have a reputation for having long overtime hours and that people generally work hard at these firms. The term he used was burakku kigyo, which translates to “black companies”, and how he was concerned about getting hired at one of these places.
As an American, this is a shock to me. Now, there are cases in the US where people work overtime. Additionally, there are jobs that require high levels of time and energy. However, these jobs are generally paid very well and overtime services are paid for. I was completely shocked when I heard that some people work for long hours, only to get very little pay (or sometimes no pay at all). I do not think sabisu zangyou would work in America, as people would complain and protest to get the rules changed. This is an interesting aspect of worklife in Japan.
Questions:
1) Do you have any friends and/ or family that work long hours? How long do they work?
2) Have you ever worked overtime? If so, how long?
3) What is the difference between overtime and paid overtime?
4) Why do you think companies have overtime standards?
5) If you were president of your company, would you have employees work overtime? Why or why not?
Key Words and Phrases:
is interesting to me / overtime / reputation
the term / pay / would work
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