Recommendation for obtaining legal advice on work/labor issues?

5 comments

1. If you think your employer may be violating the law, but you aren’t ready to go to court over it, you might consult your local 労働局 (Labor Bureau).

   I had to ask mine for help once when an employer refused to provide required documentation. In my case the office is a bit of a ghost town and they were not enthusiastic about helping me, but finally I was able to get them to call the office to explain the law to my employer.

2. Is there a union in your workplace? Most unions will offer a free consultation to non-members. If there’s no union get some of your co-workers to form one together and negotiate collectively.

3. I suspect you are being vague on purpose but it kind of makes it difficult to answer. If you expect something non-compliant then definitely go to your whistleblower hotline.

   Which part of your company is asking you to do something you don’t want to do? Is it the local KK or your international mgmt team?

   Are they trying to change the nature of your job?

   I’m struggling with advice because there are various scenarios.

4. Doesn’t matter where the management chain is.

   If you are a Japanese resident and employed through a Japanese subsidiary based in Japan, then you are entitled to Japanese labor law benefits.

5. IANAL. But The international aspect doesn’t factor in.

   You have a right to refuse a change in duties. But that will be career limiting. That is to say. They want you to transfer from development to HR for example.

   If the change they propose isn’t that dramatic, and you refuse this could become grounds for them dismissing you. Obviously that would be a process.

   Best thing is to have them put the request in writing. Just asking for this makes them think twice.