Topic: Flexible Working Hour Systems
Speaker:
Mr. Ulrich Kirchhof, ARQIS Foreign Law Office
Dr. Tobias Schiebe, ARQIS Foreign Law Office
Ms. Chiaki Kawachimaru, TMI Associates
Mr. Seiji Kurihara, TMI Associates
Time & Date: July 3 (Tue.) 2018, 16:45 – 20:00
Location: AHK Japan

About the Event

Overtime remains one of the most sensitive labor law topics in Japan and the work-style reform legislation is expected to be enacted soon. Many companies utilize flexible working hour schemes to provide for a more flexible allocation of working hours and reduce overtime of their employees. The roundtable will discuss these models, their advantages and legal limitations and how they are implemented in practice.

After a brief introduction on the topic by ARQIS Foreign Law Office, we will break up into two moderated groups to discuss challenges and best practices of implementation and operation of flexible working hour systems.

Report

The first HR Roundtable of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan) took place on July 3 at the premises of AHK Japan.

Thirty representatives and HR professionals of our member companies signed up to discuss and exchange information on the topic of „Flexible Working Hour System”. After a short introduction on the topic by ARQIS Foreign Law Office, the participants split up into two groups discuss the status quo at their respective companies as well as best practices and possible pitfalls.

While a majority already had implemented a flexible working hour system (with core time), many companies struggle with the fact that it is not being made use of, meaning that (especially Japanese) employees do not feel comfortable arriving late at the office or leaving early. The consensus of the participants was that it is up to management on all levels to create an atmosphere where everybody feels comfortable to use the flextime system.

The HR Roundtable aims to provide a regular platform to exchange insights and experiences on HR related topics and is only open to CEOs & HR representatives of member companies of AHK Japan. If you are interested in this event format, please contact us at events(at)dihkj.or.jp.