Japan Press Weekly

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2015 December 16 - 22 [LABOR]

High school students facing unjust practices by prospective employers during job-hunting activities

A recent survey by teachers’ unions has found that high school students are facing an increased number of illegal or unjust practices by companies during their job-hunting activities.

The All Japan Teachers and Staff Union (Zenkyo) and the National Federation of Private School Teachers and Staff Union (Shikyoren) on December 18 released the results of a survey on high school students’ job-hunting situation. According to the survey of around 24,000 employment-seeking senior students in 423 high schools in 27 prefectures, 79% of them succeeded in finding a job as of the end of October.

The number of illegal or inappropriate acts by companies in their recruitment activities and job interviews jumped to 265 from 57 in the previous year. These acts include questions asked of job applicants that violate their human rights. For example, some respondents said that they were asked if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend.

In relation to the recruiting activities of the Self-Defense Forces, 24 violations of the SDF ethical code were reported in nine prefectures, up from 13 in 12 prefectures. In some cases, SDF recruiters directly visited students’ homes or called them on the phone over the head of schools.

The two unions have been requesting that the Labor Ministry instruct recruiting companies to comply with relevant regulations and take measures to prevent invasions of privacy.


Past related articles:
> Companies often ask job-hunting senior high students rude questions [May 9, 2015]
> SDF desperately trying to recruit high school students [December 23, 2014]