Do you like drinking gatherings? Do you often hold them? Drinking gatherings sound fun, right? However, do you still consider it enjoyable to attend your company's gatherings? Some say yes, and others say no. What if they are somewhat mandatory?
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| Photo by Tomoyuki Mizuta used under CC |
Here are some answers to those occasions in Japan.
Japanese employees have started supporting a small movement "# 忘年会スルー," which means voicing against a notorious Japanese custom of drinking gathering at the end of the year (Japanese:"忘年会") for all the company employees, and not attending it. "スルー"(English: through) means skipping in this context.
December is the month when companies hold annual drinking gathering called "忘年会." A lot of employees, especially younger ones, are reluctant to attend them, but feel obligated to do so. They USED TO attend the gatherings against their will. It was, probably still is, a Japanese business tradition, but changes finally seem to have come. Employees have started saying "no" and skipping them.
As you may know, it is pretty well-known that employees are expected to devote themselves to their company in Japan. They work long, sometimes at the cost of their health (as seen in the problem "Karoushi," or overwork in English), and family life (e.g., less family time). Employees' cooperation with one another is highly valued and encouraged.
Under these work ethics, "Nominication" (Japanese: 飲みニケーション, English: communication through drinking) has been a persona of Japanese companies. After work they go for drinks, emphasizing the value of "Nominication," instead of goind home asap for their family. Year-end drinking gatherings for all the employees have also functioned as one of the best opportunities to promote better communication.
However, once so-called legendary life-time employment is not a standard practice anymore, employees have started valuing more their private time and personal ties with friends, than maintaining the superficial obligatory relationships. Not only younger ones, who tend to prioritize themselves more, but also ones in their 40s and 50s have started skipping "忘年会," claiming that is a huge waste of time and money.
These types of drinking gatherings are usually expensive ($50 to $100) and employees cannot enjoy themselves there. They have to put fake smiles to show to their seniors as if they were having a good time. Moderately, they must try to carry a good conversation with those whom they do not like very much, just because they are co-workers and seniors.
Instead of going through these difficulties, employees would choose spend their time and money more effectively: Skipping the company's gatherings and attending ones they really want to socialize with their friends. Of course, sometimes it it not so easy!!
We wonder if as such Japanese traditional practices go out, Japanese companies will eventually yield to better-managed foreign ones. Or is this a good sign for workers who have found a voice in how work and life is balanced? It may sound a turning point!!
Under these work ethics, "Nominication" (Japanese: 飲みニケーション, English: communication through drinking) has been a persona of Japanese companies. After work they go for drinks, emphasizing the value of "Nominication," instead of goind home asap for their family. Year-end drinking gatherings for all the employees have also functioned as one of the best opportunities to promote better communication.
However, once so-called legendary life-time employment is not a standard practice anymore, employees have started valuing more their private time and personal ties with friends, than maintaining the superficial obligatory relationships. Not only younger ones, who tend to prioritize themselves more, but also ones in their 40s and 50s have started skipping "忘年会," claiming that is a huge waste of time and money.
These types of drinking gatherings are usually expensive ($50 to $100) and employees cannot enjoy themselves there. They have to put fake smiles to show to their seniors as if they were having a good time. Moderately, they must try to carry a good conversation with those whom they do not like very much, just because they are co-workers and seniors.
Instead of going through these difficulties, employees would choose spend their time and money more effectively: Skipping the company's gatherings and attending ones they really want to socialize with their friends. Of course, sometimes it it not so easy!!
We wonder if as such Japanese traditional practices go out, Japanese companies will eventually yield to better-managed foreign ones. Or is this a good sign for workers who have found a voice in how work and life is balanced? It may sound a turning point!!
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