Yeah, Japanese workplaces aren't noted for their commitment to quality-of-life measures. It wasn't until the late 90s that most workplaces banned smoking and, with the exception of many blue-collar workplaces, few have official breaks. In my experience, though, most employers are willing to honor these things, which are pretty clearly delineated in employment regulations. Unfortunately, many employers are unwilling to implement these things on their own. Rather, it's up to employees to speak up for their rights. Even then, there are many people in companies, schools, and government who will gripe openly or in private about how young people and others aren't willing to put in the effort (such as unpaid overtime or participation in nomiunication) that they had to. I always point out that with the dwindling numbers of young people and Japan's increasing reliance on outsiders for critical work, they don't have a lot of choice-either put up with people who have a different set of values or deal with a gradual demise into oblivion.
Actually my current job fits in the part-time job category even if I've been working in the same company for several years now. It seems that even part-time workers are eligible to get paid holidays and my company has never told me about that and of course has never given me paid leave... In my experience a lot of companies don't respect the law a hundred percent. I have my salary every month but I constantly have to check if it's correct. If you're in Japan for like 1 year maybe you don't care these small details but I'm here for the long run and it drives me crazy when companies don't do their jobs. On the other hand, some companies I've worked for as a part-time worker were very respectful, managing a real break time etc.
Yeah, Japanese workplaces aren't noted for their commitment to quality-of-life measures. It wasn't until the late 90s that most workplaces banned smoking and, with the exception of many blue-collar workplaces, few have official breaks. In my experience, though, most employers are willing to honor these things, which are pretty clearly delineated in employment regulations. Unfortunately, many employers are unwilling to implement these things on their own. Rather, it's up to employees to speak up for their rights. Even then, there are many people in companies, schools, and government who will gripe openly or in private about how young people and others aren't willing to put in the effort (such as unpaid overtime or participation in nomiunication) that they had to. I always point out that with the dwindling numbers of young people and Japan's increasing reliance on outsiders for critical work, they don't have a lot of choice-either put up with people who have a different set of values or deal with a gradual demise into oblivion.
Actually my current job fits in the part-time job category even if I've been working in the same company for several years now. It seems that even part-time workers are eligible to get paid holidays and my company has never told me about that and of course has never given me paid leave... In my experience a lot of companies don't respect the law a hundred percent. I have my salary every month but I constantly have to check if it's correct. If you're in Japan for like 1 year maybe you don't care these small details but I'm here for the long run and it drives me crazy when companies don't do their jobs. On the other hand, some companies I've worked for as a part-time worker were very respectful, managing a real break time etc.