A Japanese company is shaking things up with some quirky types of leave, hoping to win over younger workers in a tough job market.
Japan’s workforce is shrinking, with an unemployment rate hovering under 3%, and many small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to find enough workers. In response, big companies are raising salaries to attract new grads. But not everyone can offer a big paycheck. That’s where the fun perks come in.
Enter TrustRing, a tech company in Osaka, known for offering very unusual leave options. For example, they let employees take the day off after having a late night out. One worker confessed that after having a late night out, she took advantage of this and slept in for a few extra hours, and came back to work feeling refreshed—and more productive.
TrustRing also offers something called celebrity loss leave. If a beloved celebrity has some big life change—like getting married—employees can take a break to recover from the emotional toll. One employee took leave after her favourite musician announced he was tying the knot!
The company’s president, Daigaku Shimada, says these unusual benefits are key to staying competitive. But despite the modest pay, TrustRing is thriving, with zero employees leaving in the past three years.
This quirky approach has caught the eye of many online users, with some suggesting that extra leave is a great alternative to raising salaries. Others joked that they’d start following more celebrities just to get more time off!
What do you think of these ‘unique’ types of leave? Is there a celebrity you would need to take time off for? Listen to the full chat below!