Japanese Workers Sensitive To Job Relocations

An increasing proportion of Japanese workers expect their employers to be significantly more sensitive in organizing job relocations and wish to avoid being transferred out of their offices.

Photo Insert: When asked why employees want employers to be more considerate of relocations, most companies mentioned their employees have working spouses or must care for elderly parents or small children.

According to the poll, this was the situation at almost 60% of Japan's top corporations, Hiroki Hashimoto reported on July 20, 2022, citing an Asahi Shimbun survey.

Employee relocations inside corporations or to connected firms are prevalent in Japan and can be a significant step in ascending the corporate ladder. Employees, on the other hand, are not always pleased when they are abruptly transferred to distant areas. Significant sociocultural shifts appear to be motivating opposition to relocation.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are teleworking, and it has become more normal for couples to create professional careers together over time.

As a result of these trends, more business owners are conducting reviews of their job transfer procedures. “The number of employees who want the freedom to choose where they work on their own is on the gradual rise, regardless of whether they actually need to relocate for occupational reasons,” said Mikio Okumura, president of insurance provider Sompo Holdings Inc.

The poll was conducted between May 30 and June 10.

According to the data, 58 of the 100 businesses studied claimed that "more" or "somewhat more" of their employees want them to give employee transfers more thought. Of the 58 businesses polled, 21 indicated "more" of their employees wish to avoid migrating, and 37 said "somewhat more" fall into that category.

When asked why employees want employers to be more considerate of relocations, most companies mentioned their employees have working spouses or must care for elderly parents or small children.

Companies were also asked whether they believe it is vital to restrict or eliminate job transfers. Seventeen companies stated that the number of staff relocations should be reduced. Ajinomoto Co., a food company, recognized that relocation places a strain on staff.

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