Foreign employees at Lawson claim unfair treatment such as forced sushi and Christmas cake purchases

11 comments

1. If you’re paying for Christmas cake you’re doing it wrong

2. This sort of thing happens in so many other companies. I’ve experienced it myself.

3. this is one of those situations I’ve never experienced and likely never will, so I’ll probably never fully be able to relate to it. however Lawson has got to pay minimum wage or close to it, and there’s a bunch of other similar work opportunities out there… so why not just quit that job and find something else? it’s not like Lawson sponsors work visas either, so they aren’t dependent on Lawson for that either. I mean the work is shitty enough and low-paying, but to then have to use that money to pay for shit that would be trashed otherwise?? fuuuck that, I’d quit in an instant.

4. My Son, a Japanese National used to work at a convenient store in Japan (Not one of the major franchises, one of the minor ones located on the southern island of Kyushu) as a part timer. During Christmas and other Gift Seasons he would bring home a catalogue with gifts such as Christmas Cakes and various other gifts. Apparently each employee had a quota so he was asking friends and relatives to buy one of the gifts. He said people without friends and family were pressured into purchasing gifts themselves. I thought this was BS and as I was advising him to find another job, the store went out of business and was replaced by a 7-11. My son currently works at a Lawsons but he has not been pressured into buying gifts. From what I understand there are stores owned by Corporate Lawson, and stores franchised out to individuals to use the Lawson brand name. I believe this is the same for most if not all of the convenient stores in Japan. I remember one of my friends saying the stores owned by corporate have higher standards and are strict, while franchise stores usually are more relaxed but also come with BS like gift quotas.

5. It’s nice to see that dumb-ass comments aren’t an exclusive quality of English-language sites.

6. You can get free Christmas cake at any bar as a foreigner it’s an over supply

7. my company was trying to get us to buy team merchandise like shirts and towels to “boost morale”. there was a public order form so people could see exactly what others were ordering. we were pressured into buying stuff by being told basically everyone is buying something and you don’t want to be the odd one out. it’s ok to just say no. nothing will happen.

8. It sucks doesn’t it.

   My SO is a UPS driver in the US and I was really impressed by the protection he gets as a union member. For example they literally cannot ask him to work over a certain number of hours.

   I am originally from the Philippines. Afaik many Asian countries are still in the medieval ages when it comes to employee / workers rights( I don’t know about Singapore and Korea) .Even Japan, a first world country is lagging behind.

   But when does it stop? When people say they’ve had enough and stop being scared. But like one commenters son , no one wants to rock the boat or be the nail “that sticks out”. And who can blame them, they want their jobs.

9. I think it’s called “suicide marketing”, and is common practice in clothing boutiques and such. Jibaku Eigyou

10. Not only foreign employees but Japanese employees are also forced to buy.I heard many employees at outlet malls had to meet the goal by purchasing some items themselves.

    From what I heard,it’s not written in contract so it’s not legally binding to buy.I suspect they feel pressure from boss.The boss capitalize on your nationality or resident status.
    Hope justice is brought to these ass.

11. JPpost does this to their employees as well. Id love to know any others that do the same