Contact us: Info@intXel.com

Japan's Dirty Secret to Productivity

Okay, so the answer isn't really a secret: you work your workers (sometime quite literally) to death.  After all, what other country has a word for "death from overwork" (karoshi) and is considering legislation to force workers to take at least five paid work days a year?

It's not that they don't get paid leave, it's that they don't take it.  A survey by the Ministry of Labor showed that most worker take less than half their allotted vacation time, and another survey showed that one in six didn't take any at all.

So what will happen if they are forced to take leave?  Will productivity fall?  My guess is that those workers will work even later than normal on other days to make up for it.

What do you think?

Diana Rowland Other articles on Japan

Comments (9)

Steve
  2. #1
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Japanese manufacturing and logistics, as well as public transportation are all among the most efficient in the world.
Office work is ranked 26th in efficiency among the industrialized nations.

Steve
  1. Share
  2. 0
Steve
  2. #2
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Japanese office workers and their managers are more concerned with group bonding politics interpersonal dynamics and the like than about accomplishing tasks in an efficient manner. Read "The Enigma of Japanese Power" to understand the political...

Japanese office workers and their managers are more concerned with group bonding politics interpersonal dynamics and the like than about accomplishing tasks in an efficient manner. Read "The Enigma of Japanese Power" to understand the political aspects.

Read More
Steve
  1. Share
  2. 0
Diana
  2. #3
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Great book.

Diana
  1. Share
  2. 0
nba 2k16
  2. #32
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

It's actually a cool and helpful piece of information.
I am glad that you simply shared this useful info with us.
Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

nba 2k16
  1. Share
  2. 0
house
  2. #59
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Exceptional post but I was wondering if you could write a litte moee on this topic?
I'd be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.

house
  1. Share
  2. 0
testing center
  2. #92
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

This website was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me.
Kudos!

testing center
  1. Share
  2. 0
woman matches
  2. #101
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Wow! Thank you! I continuously needed to write on my site something like that.

Can I take a fragment of your post to my blog?

woman matches
  1. Share
  2. 0
thesaurus
  2. #110
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Keep on writing, great job!

thesaurus
  1. Share
  2. 0
www.rstc.co.id
  2. #217
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Good sitе! I really love how it is simple on my eyes and the data
are well written. I'm wondеring how I could be notified wһen a new
post has been made. I've subscribeⅾ to yoᥙr RSS feеd
which must do the trick! Have a great day!

www.rstc.co.id
  1. Share
  2. 0
There are no comments posted here yet

Leave your comments

  1. Posting comment as a guest.
Background
Attachments (0 / 3)
Share Your Location

About Us

Rowland & Associates is a premier cross-cultural consulting firm, providing essential international business skills since 1985. Our passion is bringing intercultural business success through heightened insight and agility. We believe that bold steps with exceptional preparation can create dynamic solutions.

Read more...

Services Offered

Globalization has made cross-border business deals more common than ever. But, every day, deals are jeopardized or lost when foreign associates are offended by Americans unaware of other countries' customs, culture or manner. while traveling, meeting a foreigner here or communicating on the...

Read more...

CultureCorner

Our CultureCorner offers a wide variety of information through articles, tips, quizzes, and titbits in addition to monthly Business Holidays in different countries. Access various types of information by clicking on your theme of choice.

Read more...
×
global competence cover

Sign up for our Infoletter and download for free:

Global Competence: A White Paper

 

Click here to download the white paper