Emails detail long working hours: Recent cases from the Labor Consultation Center

Case 1: I was a manager at Toyoko Inn Hotel. I had to work 24 hours continuously and had only two or three days off in a month. There was overtime work every day and sometimes I had to work reception for 25 hours. I was worn out and had to leave the job. I had a management position, so there was no time card and it was difficult to claim overtime pay.

Case 2: I work for an IT venture company. I start working at 8:45 a.m. and leave office at mid night every day. Still, I have to take work home. I have never taken a single paid holiday. I became mentally ill and am convalescing at home. The company hasn’t done anything about my illness.

Case 3: I work at a nursing home for the elderly. I have to work a 16 hour night shift alone. There is no break time. Now, there is no overtime pay.

Case 4: I am a kindergarten teacher. My official working hours are 8a.m. to 5p.m., but actually it’s from 7:20 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and sometimes 10 p.m. I have to work up to 3 hours after returning home. There is no overtime pay, nor for holiday work. My colleagues have health disorders due to over work and stress. (NPO Labor Consultation Center)

 Photo: Tokyo Tobu Union members displaying  a banner, saying "Defend the eight hour working hour system".

24時間拘束で心身ともに疲れ果て～「労働時間」メール相談事例紹介

1、東横インで支配人でした。ほぼ24時間拘束され、月に2日～3日しか休みがとれ

ず、毎日の残業、時にはフロント25時間勤務もあり、心身ともに疲れ果て退職しまし

た。支配人は管理職だからとタイムカードも出勤簿もなく、残業代請求も中々できな

い仕組みで す。2、ＩＴベンチャー企業。毎日出社8時45分～退社24時です。その

上、自宅に持ち帰らないと終わらない仕事量です。有給休暇など一度も取ったことは

ありません。ついに精神疾患で倒れ、自宅療養中ですが、会社からは病気への何のア

クションもありません。3、特別養護 老人ホーム。16時間の夜勤業務を一人でさせら

れています。休憩時間は一切ありません。その上、残業代も付かなくなりました。

4、幼稚園で教諭。8時～17時が定時ですが、実際は朝7時20分～19時・20時です。22

時の時もあります。その上、自宅に帰ってからも1時間～3時間 は仕事をしていま

す。残業代は一切付かず、休日出勤しても手当がありません。長時間労働やストレス

で仲間たちも体調を崩してきています。（NPO法人 労働相談センター）