The Japanese term “karoshi” literally means working oneself to death, a term that has come to represent the gruelling work culture and long working hours that many Japanese employers expect of their workers.
But an impending labour shortage has the Japanese government encouraging changes, including for employers to have a four-day workweek. It’s the latest country to weigh the move as employers around the world grapple with challenges from tighter workforces, workers demanding better work-life balance, and shifting demographics as older workers retire and younger ones have fewer children.
So why now — and what do Canadian employers already experimenting with longer weekends have to say about the shift?
The Japanese government first expressed support for a shorter working week in 2021 after lawmakers endorsed the idea. The concept has been slow to catch on, however; about eight per cent of companies in Japan allow employees to take three or more …