Gap between imagined and reality in Japanese workplaces
AdvertisementThe third survey for today from goo Ranking is a look at the gap people felt between before and after starting work.
Demographics
Between the 23rd and 26th of March 2011 1,070 members of the goo Research monitor group completed a private internet-base questionnaire. 53.4% of the sample were female, 10.2% in their teens, 13.1% in their twenties, 24.7% in their thirties, 23.7% in their forties, 13.3% in their fifties, and 15.0% aged sixty or older. Note that the score in the results refers to the relative number of votes for each option, not a percentage of the total sample.
Ranking result
Q: Where did you feel a gap between your expectations before starting work and the reality? (Sample size=1,070)
Rank Score 1 The toughness, strictness of work 100 2 Average salaries 85.1 3= Relations with my boss 80.5 3= Workplace atmosphere 80.5 5 Work details 74.0 6 When I can return home 63.6 7 Ease of taking holidays 56.5 8 Amount of overtime 53.9 9 How to get along with colleagues after hours (in the pub, etc) 53.2 10 My own ability 50.6
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Once again a great survey. So as a North American I’m always fascinated by these quick surveys… Fascinated by how different (and quirky) things are in Japan. I’ve visited Japan twice, but obviously I’ve never been able to get close enough with locals to understand/appreciate this.
One question though – as the pattern seems to repeat itself – is it not “fun” to work in Japan? Work seems like a never-ending burden. I could understand that 50% of the population does not enjoy their work, but so far it seems that it is much higher than this. Am I wrong in assuming this?
hmm.. interesting post. maybe it’s our fascination with the culture and the lack of the daily grind having to deal with and learn all the “no spoken” rules that will inevitably come up “repeatedly”..
Which way is the gap? Were expectations higher or lower than reality?