Introduction
Working conditions are crucial in the modern world as the time, emotional, and physical resources spent at work can affect other aspects of people’s lives. In some areas of the world, working conditions may be better than in others, and a way of assessing this is by comparing two countries. While those conditions are more likely to vary in eastern and western countries, there is a need to examine places with similar cultures to determine whether the authorities have different regulations regarding employment. With that being said, analysis of extra office hours in Japan and China can provide insight into differences and similarities in working conditions.
Similarities
First, one should look at similarities between the two countries. Research shows that it is not unusual for people in both Japan and China to stay late at work. Even though the statuary working hours are supposed to be eight hours, people in Japan are familiar with working overtime (“Working conditions,” 2020). In China, people also often work overtime due to the so-called “ethic of entrepreneurship,” referring to putting the benefits of a group above those of an individual (Peng, 2020, p. 42). Such a resemblance can be partially explained by similarities in cultures of Asian countries and with Japan and China seeing a job as just a way of earning money (Volk & Hadler, 2020).
Therefore, people in these countries may be more compliant to work extra hours with a chance of earning more money. With that being said, both countries seem to pay little attention to having an interesting job, which may result in lesser satisfaction from work, especially with work overload (Volk & Hadler, 2018). Working conditions in Japan and China are similar in terms of having to stay late at work due to others’ expectations.
Differences
Second, there are certain work-related differences between the two countries. While people in Japan and China often work extra hours, some companies in China offer benefits such as taxi and meal reimbursements (Peng, 2020). On the other hand, companies in Japan often provide employees with compensation for working overtime, depending on the amount of the extra hours per month (“Working conditions,” 2020). There are also differences in working conditions providing opportunities for the advancement of employees, with China having higher rates, although people in both countries seem to want more such opportunities (Volk & Hadler, 2018).
There is also a difference in relation to balancing work and life. For example, people in China, women in particular, choose to stay late at work, so they can avoid domestic obligations, thus possibly causing health issues due to the high workload (Peng, 2020). On the other hand, Japan seems to pay more attention to the physical and mental health of employees, thus possibly providing them with more opportunities for work-life balance (“Working conditions,” 2020). Working conditions in China and Japan differ in relation to compensation of working overtime and balancing other aspects of life.
Conclusion
To summarize, working conditions in Japan and China can be characterized by people often working overtime. Such a situation can be due to similarities in cultures of the two countries, with the peer pressure of having to prioritize the needs of a group and wanting to earn more. Overall, it seems that working conditions in the two countries may need some changes, so people would not have to work too much and would be able to prevent job burnout.
References
Peng, X. (2020). The 6pm struggle: The changing meaning of work, a culture of overtime work, and corporate governmentality in urban China. Asian Anthropology, 19(1), 39-52. Web.
Volk, H., & Hadler, M. (2018). Work orientations and perceived working conditions across countries: Results from the 2015 ISSP survey. International Journal of Sociology, 48(2), 103-123. Web.
Working conditions in Japan. (2020). L&E Global. Web.