Q. What actually changes as a result of the recent legislation for reform of working styles?
A. In order to create a society with various working styles which will enable individual choice and give people better prospects to live life on their own terms, a labor reform bill was passed on June 29, 2018. The key points of that Bill are as follows:
① Ceiling on overtime work (Large enterprises: enforced on April 1, 2019, SMEs: effective from April 1, 2020)
② Obligation to acquire annual paid leave 5 days a year (Large enterprises · SMEs: effective 1 April, 2019)
③ Increase in overtime rate for work over 60 hours per month (large enterprises: enforced, small enterprises: enforced on 1 April, 2023)
④ Establishment of a system to recognize professional levels in work (Large enterprises · SMEs: effective 1 April 2019)
⑤ Review of Flextime systems (Large enterprises · SMEs: effective 1 April 2019)
⑥ Securing fair treatment for all employees regardless of type of employment. (Large enterprise: enforced on April 1, 2020, SME: effective on April 1, 2021)
In addition, there are a number of areas that can be advanced by formulating various guidelines. The three areas of interest are as follows.
1) Side-work / concurrent work: “Guidelines on having side jobs / concurrent business” was developed and published in January, 2018.
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000192188.html
(2) Introduction of teleworking: Previously introduced “Guidelines for the appropriate introduction and implementation of teleworking using information and communication equipment” has been revised, and “Guidelines for the appropriate introduction and implementation of off-site work using information and communication technology” were formulated.
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/roudoukijun/shigoto/guideline.html
(3) Effective break time between work system to ensure rest time
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/roudoukijun/jikan/
Additionally, due to the legislation of these bills, the establishment of ceilings on overtime work, etc., is expected to be strengthened by supervision and guidance from the labor standards inspector at the workplace.