Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT) has announced the results of its study into corporate welfare policies. This study focused on employees’ level of satisfaction with their companies’ current welfare policies as well as what kind of welfare measures they would like to see implemented in the future.
◆ The aim of welfare systems and policies
The most commonly stated goal of welfare policies was “increasing employee motivation” (60.1%), followed by “employee retention” (58.8%) and “personnel recruitment” (52.6%). (Multiple choice)
◆ Policies companies want to improve on
Companies were asked which policies they want to improve (establish for the first time, or expand on) in the future, irrespective of whether the policies are currently in place or not.
Top answers included “mental health consultation” (12.4%), “measures to create balance between work and treatment/therapy” (11.5%), “support to receive full medical check-ups” (10.7%), “personal development programs at work” (10.7%), “zero overtime days” (10.4%), “running and supporting the company outing” (10.3%) and “providing or funding personal development services outside of work” (10.1%).
◆ Level of satisfaction with company welfare policies
When asked about their level of satisfaction with their companies’ welfare policies, responses included “neither” (49.4%), “satisfied or somewhat satisfied” (24.4%), “unsatisfied or somewhat unsatisfied” (23.9%). Nearly half of those surveyed responded “neither”, and there was little difference between female and male respondents. Breaking the results down by type of work, part time workers and contract employees were most likely to respond “neither”, while temporary employees were more likely to respond with “unsatisfied”.
◆ Policies and systems employees feel are necessary
Employees were surveyed about the policies and systems that they feel are especially needed (multiple choice) and the following were their responses.
“Support to receive full medical check-ups” (21.8%), “wedding, parental and bereavement leave” (20.0%), “rent assistance or housing allowances” (18.7%), “sick leave (except for paid holidays)” (18.5%), “sick leave” (18.5%), “refresh leave” (16.1%), “more paid holiday days (e.g. Golden Week, summer leave etc.)” (15.2%), among others. Most responses addressed health care and time off work.
Other responses that received more than 10% of responses often focused on work-life balance and working hours, including “measures to create balance between work and treatment/therapy” (14.8%), “parental leave and shortened hours above what is mandated by law” (13%).
