There are many points to be aware of regarding side jobs, such as understanding working hours (e.g., self-reporting of working hours, rules for aggregation of working hours for core and side jobs, etc.), the obligation to pay extra wages, and health management. In addition, if an employee of the company suffers a work-related injury that requires absence from work at the company’s secondary business, the company’s core business will naturally be affected. For these reasons, even some listed companies are reluctant to accept side jobs.
Even if the company understands the issues involved with side jobs, when the company is considering allowing them, it is essential that the company has a written pledge with employees that they are obligated to devote themselves to their core business, including the obligation to report their working hours, and that the company shall have the relevant work rules and regulations.
If a system that permits side jobs as long as they are done under a service contract, these issues would be somewhat lessened, but the effect of doing so in increasing the attractiveness of the company would be lessened.
Therefore, it may be difficult to introduce such a system under the current circumstances. Even if a system allowing side jobs were to be introduced, careful consideration would be necessary.
