#Japan #Tokyo #Side Jobs #lotsful

Recent Findings on Side Jobs in Japan

The side job matching service, lotsful, operated by Persol Innovation Inc. under the vision of 'Work and Smile,' recently conducted a nationwide survey involving 1,917 people to explore the realities of side jobs across different regions. This third survey sheds light on the gradual acceptance of side work in corporate cultures and highlights the need for companies to adapt to changing labor dynamics.

Key Findings from the Survey

1. Increase in Side Job Policies
The data revealed a slight uptick in companies introducing side job policies. Although 47.1% indicated their organizations do not engage in side job initiatives, 35.9% acknowledged allowing employees to have side jobs, a 2.1% increase from the previous survey. Furthermore, 24.4% of companies are now accepting side job workers, again showing a minor rise of 0.9%. This indicates a significant shift as more companies across various sectors recognize the advantages of integrating side work into their business models.

Regionally, the Chubu region leads with a side job approval rate of 40.5%. When looking at individual prefectures, Tottori Prefecture topped the chart with a full 100%, followed by Nagasaki and Yamaguchi.

2. The Role of Subsidies
A notable factor influencing companies' willingness to adopt side job policies appears to be the availability of government subsidies for either policy implementation or for accepting side job talent. Companies expressing interest in proceeding regardless of subsidy availability were most prevalent in the Chugoku region, while those leaning towards subsidized initiatives were more concentrated in Shikoku and Kyushu.

3. Understanding of Side Job Talent
When questioned about their understanding of side job talents, 30.5% admitted they had a general idea but lacked clarity on how to utilize these workers effectively. This suggests that while companies are open-minded about leveraging side job talent, there is still uncertainty on specifics such as task allocation and integration within the existing workforce.

4. Concerns Regarding Side Job Workers
One major concern surrounding the integration of side job workers revolved around confidentiality and information management, with 28.3% delivering this response as the most common worry, stretching across all regions except Hokkaido. Furthermore, a collective concern about the quality of side job workers arose, showcasing companies’ hesitation in taking steps without a firm assurance of the skills and ethical standards of these external hires.

Interestingly, those already utilizing side job workers expressed a more favorable view, indicating that experience can alleviate some of these concerns.

5. Support for Key Business Areas
Companies that have embraced side job workers highlighted expectations for skills that could assist in critical areas like HR, digital transformation (DX), and new business development. Such support has reportedly alleviated workforce shortages and revitalized organizational culture.
Tasks typically outsourced to these skilled workers include HR functions, management planning, and web design, which suggests that side jobs can indeed supplement internal resources effectively, particularly in specialized fields where internal capacity might fall short.

6. Job Recruitment Channels
Most companies are sourcing side job talent via private matching services (45.7%) and personal referrals (45.1%), showcasing a shift towards independence from municipal and financial institution-facilitated recruitment methods.

Conclusion

The findings from lotsful's third survey indicate a gradual but positive acceptance of the side job culture among Japanese companies, underscoring regional variations and the impact of economic factors like subsidies. It highlights a shift in the business landscape wherein organizations must navigate uncertainties while updating their operational structures to accommodate a growing side job workforce.

As companies continue to accept and implement side job policies, it will become increasingly crucial for them to establish frameworks that ensure information security and help dissolve apprehensions around the quality of external talent. As the culture around side jobs encourages more dynamic and flexible employment, both companies and employees stand to benefit from this evolving paradigm in labor engagement in Japan.

For more insights and information on talent management, check out their services at lotsful's official site lotsful.jp.