I got a job offer in Japan. The salary is broken down into:
* a “monthly basic salary”
* a “monthly discretionary allowance” = 25% of the basic salary
* a bonus equal to about 5 months of salary.
(1) What is a monthly discretionary allowance? Is it related to overtime? The job offer is for typical 9-5 schedule.
(2) I know what a bonus is, but specific to Japan – does it work any differently? Is it common to always get the bonus or is it some years yes some years no?
Thanks!
4 comments
Is this a customer- or sales-related job?
If so, that’s probably an allowance for schmoozing, drinks, lavish dinners, hostess bars, and strip clubs.
If not, I haven’t got a scooby.
>What is a monthly discretionary allowance? Is it related to overtime? The job offer is for typical 9-5 schedule.
It depends on the context really. My guess would be that its like an overtime bank or something. eg, you get 25% of your salary as ‘overtime’ to use whenever you feel appropriate. You should probably ask your contact to clarify what that is and how it works.
>I know what a bonus is, but specific to Japan – does it work any differently? Is it common to always get the bonus or is it some years yes some years no?
In Japan it is common for bonuses to be paid out twice per year and they’re pretty regular about it. When I was signing up for my mortgage they had the bonus structure built into the mortgage payments (I had to specifically opt out of making very large payments in Feb & August).
2. Usually the bonus is paid out and loans / credit cards / retirement plans are based around it. But if company starts dying, or your results become terrible, they can stop paying you the bonus without any repercussions.
Sounds like みなし残業 but I’ve never seen it called this way