January 27, 2016
The Japan Federation of National Public Service Employees’ Unions (Kokko-Roren) in its survey published on January 26 revealed that a government-introduced system to force government workers to start work earlier was not effective in reducing overtime.
The Abe government implemented the system for one month from July 2015 under the pretext that to arrive at office earlier will enable government employees to go home earlier and spend more time with their families. Kokko-Roren conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the effects of this system.
According to the survey, more than 70% of the respondents answered that the introduction of the early shift system had no effect in decreasing overtime. Regarding the operation of daily work, nearly 80% said that the system had no effect while 14% said that it had adverse effects. Four in five respondents replied that the system did not make it either easier or harder for them to take days off.
Concerning downsides of the early shift system, respondents said, “I had to leave home earlier so that caused inconveniences to my family”, “I had difficulties in commuting”, “I felt tired and less productive at work”, and “My health condition deteriorated.”
Kokko-Roren has opposed the system and argued that measures to drastically lighten workloads, such as an increase in the number of staff, are what is needed to reduce overwork.
The Abe government implemented the system for one month from July 2015 under the pretext that to arrive at office earlier will enable government employees to go home earlier and spend more time with their families. Kokko-Roren conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the effects of this system.
According to the survey, more than 70% of the respondents answered that the introduction of the early shift system had no effect in decreasing overtime. Regarding the operation of daily work, nearly 80% said that the system had no effect while 14% said that it had adverse effects. Four in five respondents replied that the system did not make it either easier or harder for them to take days off.
Concerning downsides of the early shift system, respondents said, “I had to leave home earlier so that caused inconveniences to my family”, “I had difficulties in commuting”, “I felt tired and less productive at work”, and “My health condition deteriorated.”
Kokko-Roren has opposed the system and argued that measures to drastically lighten workloads, such as an increase in the number of staff, are what is needed to reduce overwork.
