Pressure on Japan’s workers due to recession

For the past years, Japan’s long-suffering workers were slightly appearing to be better. Though some salary men still work into the evening and are expected to drink with their bosses after working time. But at the request of the government, employers are now doing measures to ease workloads. Recent situations suggest Japan’s judiciary is all willing to defend employees who sue companies which is now a trend that can develop a better balance between a worker’s private life and job demands.

At automotive supplier Denso, a 44 year old engineer is one recent beneficiary. A court in Nagoya awarded the engineer a $15,000 payment on October 30,2008 due to his depression that was caused by excessive demands at work. He had been working 14-15 hours a day at Toyota where he was helping develop diesel engine technology.

But when he went back to Denso and took a six months leave to relax from overwork he was demoted upon returning to the company.

"It was important that the court recognized that the companies didn't give enough consideration to the working environment," says the man, who still works at the automotive supplier.

Both Toyota and Denso said that while they don't entirely agree with the verdict, they won't appeal the decision.

Other cases of illegal tactics

A Tokyo court last year ruled that the McDonald’s in Japan used illegal measures to avoid paying overtime to its workers. The court found evidence that the fast-food chain created phony management positions to avoid paying overtime, which regular workers but not managers are entitled to receive.

After the ruling, McDonalds’ and other chains said they will make the necessary changes. A spokesman for McDonald's in Tokyo declined to comment on whether the changes are yet in place, but says the company is taking a "proactive stance" on improving the work-life balance.