376 日本の有給(paid leave)について😨 #日本語ポッドキャスト

Summary

In this podcast episode, Leila discusses the challenges of working in Japan, focusing on long hours, low pay, and limited vacation days. She compares Japan's paid leave system to that of Australia, highlighting the strain of using paid leave for illness. Leila also shares personal experiences of her boyfriend, an English teacher in Japan, and how he faced pressure to use his leave when sick. The episode touches on high living costs in cities like Tokyo and the difficulty of saving money despite long work hours. Ultimately, Leila emphasizes the importance of family and personal life over work, expressing her preference for a more flexible work culture seen in other countries.

Takeaways

• 😀 Japanese work culture often involves long overtime hours, low salaries, and limited vacation days.
• 😀 The speaker’s boyfriend, who works as an English teacher in Japan, shares his experience of the long hours and limited rest days that teachers face.
• 😀 In Japan, employees receive up to 20 paid vacation days (known as 'yūkyū'), but this amount may be higher in other countries, such as Australia.
• 😀 The use of paid leave ('yūkyū') for illness, such as catching a cold, is common in Japan, which can make it difficult for employees to take sick leave without using their vacation days.
• 😀 The speaker was surprised to learn that employees must use their paid leave when sick, even if they are too ill to work, such as having a cold.
• 😀 Many Japanese workers, especially teachers, are often hesitant to take sick leave, even when they are unwell, to avoid using their paid vacation days.
• 😀 The speaker’s boyfriend caught COVID-19 from a colleague who came to work sick, highlighting the issue of workers continuing to work when unwell.
• 😀 The Japanese system requires teachers to use paid leave ('yūkyū') even when they are diagnosed with COVID-19, which can create additional stress for employees.
• 😀 Many workers in Japan face the challenge of working long hours, with overtime being common and leaving employees with little time for personal life.
• 😀 High living costs in cities like Tokyo can result in young workers earning less than they need, with salaries often insufficient to cover rent and daily expenses, especially when working overtime.

Q & A

What is the speaker's opinion on the work culture in Japan?

The speaker feels that Japan's work culture is very demanding, with long working hours, low salaries, and limited vacation days. They highlight the challenges faced by workers, particularly teachers, in Japan.

How does the speaker compare the paid leave (有休) system in Japan and Australia?

In Japan, the maximum paid leave (有休) is typically around 20 days per year. However, the speaker's partner, living in Australia, receives 30 days of paid leave. The speaker finds this difference significant, as it shows that Australian workers have more paid time off.

What did the speaker find surprising about using paid leave for sickness in Japan?

The speaker was surprised to learn that in Japan, employees have to use their paid leave days (有休) when they are sick, such as catching a cold, instead of having separate sick leave days. They find this practice unusual and believes it should be changed.

How does the speaker describe the situation when their partner got sick?

When the speaker's partner caught a cold, they were told to take a few days off from work. However, they were required to use their paid leave for sickness, which the speaker found confusing and unreasonable.

What happened when the speaker's partner contracted COVID-19?

When the speaker's partner got COVID-19, they were told to rest for a week. They were initially concerned about having to use paid leave, but because of their unique work contract, they did not have to use paid leave. The speaker contrasts this with other teachers who had to use their paid leave.

What is the speaker's perspective on overtime work in Japan?

The speaker acknowledges that overtime is very common in Japan, with many people working additional hours each day. They mention that working two extra hours daily is considered normal, and workers often return home late, sometimes around 8 or 9 PM.

How does the speaker describe the salary situation for young workers in Japan?

The speaker explains that many young workers in Japan, especially those working in Tokyo, face high living costs, including expensive rent. Despite this, their salaries are not enough to cover their expenses, and they are often unable to save money due to the cost of living and regular overtime.

What is the speaker's stance on working in a Japanese company?

The speaker explicitly states that they prefer not to work in a Japanese company due to the demanding work culture, including long hours, limited paid leave, and low salaries. They value personal time and family life over the traditional Japanese work environment.

How does the speaker view the differences between working in Japan and working in Australia?

The speaker observes that work culture in Australia seems more relaxed and worker-friendly compared to Japan. Their partner's family in Australia enjoys more paid leave and has a better work-life balance. This comparison makes the speaker feel that Japan's work culture is outdated and difficult.

What does the speaker think about the possibility of improving work conditions in Japan?

The speaker expresses hope that the work conditions in Japan, particularly the use of paid leave for sickness and the long working hours, could improve. They believe that changing these practices would benefit workers and make Japan's work culture more sustainable.