Overtime Work Measures in Japan

Managing Overtime & Excessive Working Employees in Japan

General Actions against Overtime and Excessive Working Hours

Company Doctor Consultations with Employees with Overtime Working Hours

Overtime Work Measures in Japan

 Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare takes overtime seriously and recently, the control of the labor standards inspection office is getting strict in Japan.

 Employers are required to monitor track of employee’s working hours because the level of tiredness is commonly estimated by overtime work hours.

 Relationship between overtime work hours and brain / heart disease;
　　　　 >100 hrs, within 1 month →Strong relationship!!
　　　　 >80 hrs, within 2-6 months →Strong relationship
　　　　 >45 hrs →Relationship exists
　　　　 <45hrs, within 6months →Weak relationship

 It is the company’s responsibility to acknowledge employees’ health situation and excessive working hours.

Managing Overtime & Excessive Working Employees in Japan

 On an employee request bases, company must give company doctor’s consultations to employees who’s overtime working hours exceed 100 hours per month and show signs of fatigue.
 Also, for employees who’s average overtime working hours are 80 to 100 hours (in past 2 to 6 months), company must try to give company doctor’s consultations on an employee request bases (努力義務).
 Company doctors will provide consultation and recommendation report to employers and the record must be kept for 5 years.
 Employers must make actions when recommended by company doctor.
　　 e.g. Working hour limitations, Replacement, Report to Hygiene Committee Meeting.

General Actions against Overtime and Excessive Working Hours

 Overtime work managements.
　　　　 <45 hrs a month.
　　　　 Time card, online time management application.
 Annual vacation.
 Carrying out annual health check-up and its follow up.
 Asking for a doctor’s opinion for a person with abnormal findings and act.
 Carrying out health check-up semiannually for employees with late-shift work.
 Working hour limitations.

Company Doctor Consultations with Employees with Overtime Working Hours

Company doctor would;

1. Analyze data of his/her periodic health check-up report and search for signs of lifestyle diseases and abnormal readings.

2. Check whether an employee has a high chance of developing depression.
　　　　 A loss of interest or pleasure?
　　　　 A feeling of depression?
　　　　 If Both answers are “Yes.”⇒ Sensitivity for depression is 90%.

3. Ask about his/her ;
　　　　 Appetite
　　　　 Body weigh
　　　　 Mental statement
　　　　 Tiredness
　　　　 Responsibility
　　　　 Desire to suicide
　　　　 Decrease in thought and concentration
　　　　 Sleeping patterns