09-10-2024
Japan’s work culture demands a twelve-hour work day as the "bare minimum." (CNN) That same work culture discourages leaving work any earlier, taking time off, or trying to quit a job that makes you sick. Some bosses will rip up resignation letters multiple times and harass employees to stay (or won't let them resign). Some bosses will go to their employees' apartments and incessantly ring their doorbells to stop them from leaving. One person said their boss dragged them to a temple in Kyoto because "they were cursed."
To protect workers, the government began publishing a list of the worst offenders, hopefully interfering with these employers' ability to hire. So far, more than 370 companies have made that list. Japan also has labor laws in place to protect workers and give them the right to resign. However, the work culture may make that difficult. A female worker interviewed by CNN said she hired a resignation agency to help her leave her job. This industry has existed in Japan for some time but became much more popular after the COVID-19 pandemic. Working from home gave Japanese workers enough time to see that they wanted change. One agency told CNN it received as many as 11,000 inquiries from potential clients over the last year.
With an aging population, younger workers are seeking these resignation services. Historically, Japanese employees remained with the same employers for very long periods. The younger generation is less willing to just go along like older generations but wants to avoid confrontation. The agencies describe workers reaching out in tears, asking for permission to resign. For 22,000 yen (about $150), these agencies offer to help employees give their resignation, negotiate with employers, and refer clients to attorneys if legal disputes arise. One agency spokesperson said he hoped that quitting would become easier and his job would no longer be necessary.