TOKYO –
A survey of more than 20,000 full-time employees in Japan has revealed a significant gap between actual and preferred overtime hours, with workers averaging 23.8 hours of overtime a month compared with an ideal of 14.1 hours, a difference of 9.7 hours.
The findings, released by recruitment and employment services company Mynavi, come two months after authorities revised their uniform guidance aimed at keeping monthly overtime within 45 hours, raising questions about whether businesses can reduce working hours while maintaining growth.
The survey, conducted among full-time employees in their 20s through 50s, found that 78.1% reported working overtime.
The most common response for monthly overtime was between one and five hours, although 19.4% of respondents said they worked 31 hours or more each month, highlighting substantial differences in working conditions.
Despite the gap between actual and preferred working hours, 48.3% of respondents said they were satisfied with their current overtime arrangements.
When asked whether overtime hours influenced their willingness to change jobs, 54.0% said there was no relationship between the two, suggesting that factors beyond working hours play an important role in employment decisions.
The survey also examined efforts by employers to reduce overtime, finding that 79.9% of companies reported having measures in place to cut excessive working hours.
The results highlight the continuing challenge facing Japanese businesses as they seek to improve working conditions and employee satisfaction while sustaining productivity and corporate growth.
Source: FNN
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: newsonjapan.com
