Like title says, our Corporate Planning Officer came today to me and told me with big smile that from tomorrow I’m expected to come to work at 8 AM instead of 9 AM and join some kind of “daily meeting” where we discuss what we gonna do that day and what we did previous day.
My contract states that work hours are from 9:00 to 18:00 but they might be subject of change under certain circumstances.
But my understanding is that they need to first inform us formally that they want to make such changes and give us some written contract, no?
Since the CEO was not at the office anymore, I’ve sent him email explaining that I don’t accept this change and I propose instead to have this meeting from 9:00 or to change the work hours to 8:00 – 17:00.
He just replied to me to come listen tomorrow morning.
I’m coming but I’ll again tell him that I don’t agree and if there is no way to change his decision I’ll leave the company.
Or, should I rather just keep showing up at 9 AM and wait till they fire me?
I like the job, it can be crazy because all employees are old ojisans (60+ ) and can’t do work scheduling or really anything properly, but I learned a lot while working here. But I feel like it’s time to move on.
On side note, at end of last month I’ve got handed a pay raise letter starting from this month, signed by the CEO, then he told me that even though I didn’t ask for it, he appreciates my effectivity and that I always finish my tasks successfully and in time.
I’m now thinking he did it also on purpose to first win my sympathy and then try to pull me to do the meaningless “overtime” before the actual work hours.
I’ve also talked to some of my coworkers and apparently they are already having such “meeting” every morning and sometimes it’s just 10-15 minutes and then they just wait till 9:00 to start work and other times it’s 1 hour monologue from boss about random stuff….
So should I quit if they keep saying I need to come from 8 or should I push them to fire me instead by coming to work normally at 9:00 ??
6 comments
> So should I quit if they keep saying I need to come from 8 or should I push them to fire me instead by coming to work normally at 9:00 ?
This is stuff you should be deciding. First get them to put it in writing because if they want free overtime they won’t put it in writing.. that will be a sign..
Typical mismanagement style in Japan. My old
Company used to have the morning meeting at 8:50 but they eventually realized it was pointless and stopped.
I’d be firm on contract but keep us updated 👍
Can’t give you any advice but can I just say thanks for reminding me once again why I set up my own shop. The idea of some weirdo geezer rocking up to me and telling me to work an extra hour with a smile on his face as if I can’t refuse boils my blood beyond belief.
Such a Japanese company thing to do. I’ve known this to happen to a lot of my friends here actually.
They wonder why the work culture here has such a bad image…
Seriously they’re trying to attract foreign talent to fill the labour gap why the hell would anyone skilled come from abroad to this sort of bullshit, long hours and low pay when they can easily just go to another country that actually values life and puts work second, and pays well.
They’ll never learn.
The instinct in older Japanese companies is to regard the workers as their property to be ordered around as they see fit. Any worker pushing back against this is quickly seen as a problem. You have to keep your options open and consider contacting a recruiter.