How Japan is trying to make start of working week more palatable

The Government in Japan has devised a novel way getting rid of - or delaying, at least - that Monday feeling: letting workers take the morning off work.

Under plans dubbed ‘Shining Monday’, the Ministry of Economy is pushing forward its drive to improve the work-life balance by giving workers a lie-in. ‘Shining Monday’ is part of the Japanese Government’s broader plan to encourage companies to cut down on employees’ overtime and get them out of the office earlier - while at the same time tackling the persistent problem of “karoshi”, or death by overwork.

Last year, the Government launched its premium Friday scheme, under which companies were asked to tell staff to clock off early on the last Friday of every month so they could spend time with family and friends.

The hope was that as well as reducing work-related stress, people would give the economy a boost by spending on going out and even help encourage couples to have children, thereby ameliorating the problem of a shrinking population.

The plan met resistance, however, as companies in Japan are often under pressure at the end of each month.

A study this year by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed that while nearly 89 per cent of employees were aware of the scheme, a mere 11.2 per cent had taken advantage of it to leave work early. Undeterred, the ministry has moved forward with Shining Monday.

Under the proposal, which is likely to be more palatable to companies and popular with workers who want to indulge more vigorously on a Sunday evening, firms will once a month let staff have a lie-in on the first day of the traditional working week and turn up at the office after lunch.

The ministry conducted a test of the plan in late July, telling 30 per cent of its staff to take the morning of July 27 off. Encouraged by the results, the ministry is now drawing up plans to put to Japan’s corporate world - although buying in to Shining Mondays will remain voluntary for companies.