A 2022 survey conducted by Shikigaku revealed that almost half of employees in large Japanese companies feel there is at least one colleague who does very little work.
The study polled 300 workers between the ages of 20 and 39 and found that 49.2% reported having an “old guy who doesn’t work” in their office. These employees often noticed certain behaviors that indicated a lack of productivity.
Common examples included taking frequent smoking or snack breaks, staring into space for long periods, and spending too much time chatting with coworkers instead of focusing on tasks.
Many of the younger employees said these behaviors were frustrating, especially because they felt they had to carry more of the workload. Some participants pointed to a lack of motivation as the main reason, while others mentioned the company’s seniority-based pay system.
In such systems, older employees may receive higher salaries and job security even if their work performance declines, which can sometimes lead to reduced effort or engagement.
The survey sheds light on a growing concern among younger Japanese workers about workplace efficiency and fairness.
While respecting seniority is an important part of corporate culture in Japan, these findings suggest that it can sometimes create tension between younger staff and older employees who contribute less to daily work.
